THE PIT THE NEW OHANAEZE NDIGBO SOUTH AFRICA MUST AVOID. HOW IT STARTED. The venue was orion Hotel Johannesburg where the stakeholders of Igbo apex Socio-Cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo South Africa had gathered to discus way forward over the weekend. The whos is who in Ndi Igbo in South Africa were in attendance. The NUSA president, the former and President, Hon Jason Osuafor and Hon Ike Anyene respectively, the Onowu of Ndigbo, Chief Jonas Udeji; former Chairman PDP South Africa, Chief Frank Anagu; the Chairman ANNIDS, Hon Alloy Ukwuoma; Imeobi Chairman, Chief Charles Otogboro; Chairman Nigerian BIZ Community, Chief Araba Igwilo, the ‘Governors’ of the states. Past and present EXCO , to name just a few. The composition of the gathering can only confirm the Concerns, or even anger that had grown from the structures through the streets to the states. The timing of the arrival and the opening presentations by the association’s President, Chief Smart Okeugiri was of a man who had utilized the services of a consultancy firm. He started well. The Chief obviously was not the same man who prior to his election, had consulted wildly and aggressively pulled his campaign to the exalted position. It was natural to think he would seek re-election. But that was not in his agenda. He seemed desperate was gasping to handover. He defeated every effort that would derail his mission before it got nasty. Prior to the gathering, the Nze na Ozo society and the EZE-in-council had met with a position. As well, the state governors had approached the meeting with a position paper. All heading towards one direction. The consensus was that the association which used to be the pride of the Igbo man in South Africa had died and needed urgent resurrection. It was the interventions of men like Chief Okoye, the Ohamadike that saw to the the conclusive end of the meeting. For according to the Chief, every effort at change of baton must be encouraged. But the president trying to justify his lack of leadership lost his smartness, accusing the past leaders for his woes. According to Chief Smart, the past leaders had ‘no legacy’. It is instructive to note that the long and tortuous journey that gave existence to the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo South Africa did not know much of Chief Smart. Suffice to say that his claims are not only garrulous but infantile. BRIEF PAST The Igbo Apex socio-cultural group in South Africa came into existence for nearly a decade and half. And for about a decade it was engulfed in factionalization that resulted from disagreements over the outcome of an election that was said to be free, fair and credible. And the infighting dragged and become severe that extreme positions where taken including the use of unconventional methods to weaken perceived enemies. Notwithstanding these short comings and limitations, the chapter was still rated the leading in Diaspora after America and would have overtaken America had the energies and resources not been diverted. And so the two functions grew in strength and sought to do the other. Programmes were designed and executed with minimum effort. Fund raising was as easy as ABC as funds for projects running in hundreds of thousands never posed any problem. The vision of the founding fathers of developing , advancing , preserving and promoting Igbo cultural heritage received great impetus. The association was not only becoming a house hold name but become an attractive brand that people were ready to kill to get positions. It did not happen by accident . it was a product of a conscious, deliberate and carefully coordinated efforts. The association rose from a position of obscurity to light, showing over fifty appearances in the mass communication media (print and electronic), occupying prime positions and times. These efforts were largely sponsored. And finally the two factions resolved their differences and united as one. It did not come easy. Thanks to the conflict resolution techniques and mediatory efforts of men like the former deputy high commissioner at the Nigeria High Commission, Ichie Ifeanyi Omeokachie Prof Francis Nwonwu, Prof & Chief Mrs T. Odum, Dr Ben Okoli, Chief Chucks Okoye, the Ohamadike and others who worked to bring the peace. HRM M.U.J Emechebe & H.R.H Frank Times, the Ezeigbo & Onyendu of Ndi Igbo in South Africa respectively did not only spice the project but were instrumental to the marathon peace process. The past Presidents contributed immensely while Chief Daniel Akwari, the pathfinder raised the stake. THE MISTAKES OF THE REGIME For the past two years or more, the traditional pomp and splendour of which the Ndi Igbo in South Africa is reputed for had gradually vanished into thin air through the rudderlessness of one man, Chief Smart Okeugiri. The regime inherited the goodwill of the united two power houses of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which translated into cash, will run into millions of rands. And the Onwa saw the world in his palms. His administration could be likened to Gowon’s, who inherited so much that how to spend became the only problem. He got overwhelmed by his new found empire and refused to show light when it was needed, and was not smart enough to harness and consolidate on the gains made by his predecessors Again, Chief Okeugiri spoke so much with little action. The will and commitment to put the words into action was in short supply. As well, little or no effort was made to undertake a study into the mode, method and means of the project he was gearing to drive. And so the shoe became too big. He grabbed the headship of the Igbo elite group in South Africa with a skewed perception that he was driving into an oil field. Report had it that the association was yet to recover from the debts and infighting that characterized the singular programme it executed. Worst still, and he made few pretences about it, was not cementing the reconciliatory efforts. Rather, the Onwa ran the association on factional lines as was evidenced in the behaviors at the stake holders meeting. He unsmartly sidelined men who pioneered the group and mattered in the project. And that seemed his greatest undoing and he is still paying for it. Otherwise, where are the Onyaas, Osakwes,Anagus, Muodums, Ezebunachis, Anyaejis,Ikes, Tombos, Onyearmys etc. HOPE But amidst this seemingly hopelessness and nebulous situation, many of us believe that the pride of the Igboman can still be resurrected. As the election approaches, those who aspire to serve must have the willingness and refuse to be coerced into the project. They must undertake a study into what the Igbo elite organization stood for and abreast themselves with the mode of operation. Those who seek Material benefits must look for other projects. The Past regimes made tremendous effort because of its genuine commitment through visible programmes and activities, blended with massive media effort. It was the same ‘no legacy attitude’ of Chief Smart that tend to encourage people who are yet to speak for the Igbos to beg to be called THE CHIEF SPOKESPERSON. Lets allow posterity to judge if Chief Smart left the office better than he met it. Mazi Ben Benson-Okoli( Onunekwuluigbo) is a journalist, founding member & first elected Publicity Secretary of the Igbo Elite group in South Africa.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 11:54:30 +0000
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