From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths worldwide, has described the lecture with title, “The Igbo factor in the History of Intergroup Relations and Commerce in Kano, Opportunities and Challenges re-visited”, delivered at Usman Danfodio University recently, as extremely ‘insulting and a wicked distortion of history’.
Ohanaeze Youths asserted that Prof. Ahmed Bako in the lecture gravely re-echoed the mass hysteria that has eaten deep into the fabrics of Northern elites against the Igbo tribe instead of appreciating and emphasising on the patriotic, progressive and enterpreneurial ability of an average Igbo man.
Ohanaeze Youths insist that an average Igbo man believes in shared prosperity upon which they made indellible mark to the development of Kano state economy and beyond.
According to the group, amidst the adverse effects of the pogroms and Nigeria’s civil wars which ended in 1970, the Igbo people staged a come-back and contributed immensely to the growth of Kano state economy through commerce and wealth management.
A press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths worldwide, which was made available to The AUTHORITY reads, “Our attention was drawn over an inaugural Lecture delivered by one Prof Ahmed Bako at the Usman Danfodio University,Sokoto, titled “The Igbo factor in the History of Intergroup relations and commerce in Kano; Opportunities and Challenges revisited.
“Interestingly, Prof Bako’s sense of history is not an isolated trend , but a mass hysteria that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the Northern elites against NDIGBO.
Of a truth, the average Igbo Man, is naturally inclined towards progressivism with an unquenchable appetite to breaking new frontiers. Be it in Leadership or other field of human endeavour.
“Then enter commerce and wealth management, the Igbos time tested business concept of multidimensional trade has received wide acceptance . The Igbos believe in shared prosperity. That is why our investments are source of succour to our host communities and the teeming unemployed Northern Youths.
“Historically, after the Civil War in 1970, greater percentage of NDIGBO ventured into different enterprises basically to earn a living. At the end of that Civil War(pogrom)in 1970, Sabon-Gari Kano, an area delineated for non indigenes witnessed transformational changes due to developments undertaking by the returnee Igbos. As they returned, most of them shoved the painful memories of that Civil War behind them and resumed their businesses with renewed vigor. Even though, the Igbos were wickedly striped off their savings. Yet, unbowed.”
Ohanaeze Youths described the content of Prof.Bako’s lecture as a mere exhibition of ethnic bigotory.
” If Prof Bako’s provocative lecture is anything to go by, then it is safe to say that the essence of that seminal paper was simply a smokescreen to mask his ethnic bigotry.
“However, as Igbo Youths, we view his lecture as extremely insulting and a wicked distortion of history.
“So, we must equally remind Prof Bako, that the Igbos are a people in love with Ala Igbo, hence our popular maxim (Aku rue Ulo Amalu onye kpatara ya) which can be loosely translated as ” when wealth is repatriated at home, the people will be happy to identify with the wealth creator”.
The Ohanaeze Youths said they are demanding an apology from Prof. Bako for his misrepresentation and distortion of facts in the lecture.
“Lastly, We the Apex Igbo Youths organization under the irrepressible Youthful Leadership of Mazi Chukwuma Opkalaezeukwu, therefore demand unreserved apologies from Prof Bako within 72 hrs of this publication as failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to seek legal redress in the chambers of justice”.
