The convener of “Nkpokote Nsukka” forum, a socio-cultural group in Nsukka cultural zone of Enugu State, Barr. Barth Ugwoke has called for unity amongst her people in order to maintain peace, stronger voice and attract sustainable development to the area.
Ugwoke made the call in Nsukka on Sunday during the forum’s Colloquium and Dinner with the theme: “Nkpokote Nsukka Philosophy: Mindset and Concept for Sustainable Development” held at Ikenga Hotels Nsukka.
He said that such measure would further enhance the well-being of Nsukka people, stressing that unity among the people will engender peace, guarantee their security as well as pave way for development.
The Convener said that Nkpokote Nsukka Forum is on a mission to rebirth an Nsukka where an injury to one is an injury to all adding that by such understanding inculcated among the people, they will place Nsukka Interests First above individual interest.
“Many people had been worried to apprehensions that the concept of Ndi Nsukka ‘ikpokote onwe he onu’ to pursue goals which will uplift the backward position, Nsukka finds itself amongst the committee of her counterparts and contemporaries at both the States and national levels has become a commanding priority with a beckoning agency of now.
“Having regard to our common ancestry, history and culture, and enjoying a contiguous habitation, we are positive that the critical first step to unifying our efficiencies for that greater strides, is celebrating our special bond of inclusion and brotherhood. Nsukka is a zone with virtue and value that are universal in acknowledgment as they are essentially unique to the zone.
“Nkpokote Nsukka therefore envisions a forum that will galvanize the wide array of human, institutional, organizational and even diplomatic resources, to leverage in rekindling the unqualified pride in our Nsukka cultural identity, and secondly, working for the progress of the people of the cultural zone in all spheres of life.
“We look, with well-funded hope, to the forging of a common front in breaking artificial barriers to our unity, individual and collective progress, while recognizing the inalienable rights of our brothers, sisters and groups in our midst to their choice of social political association based on their ideological and religious persuasions” he said.
The Convener who maintained that the forum is apolitical, explained further that Nkpokote Nsukka can be said to me Nsukka people coming together in one umbrella in order to brainstorm and chat the best way forward for themselves as a people.
We highlighted the objective of the forum to include; “To pull Nsukka people out from their different conclaves irespective of status political party religious and bond together for greater strength and efficiency.
“To preach love and forgiveness among Nsukka people, as well as to place Nsukka interest first in all subject matter, and to appreciate it and encourage those who have on their own place then Nsukka interest ahead of their personal gains.
“To embark on evangelism in schools, market places, churches mosque and regularly organizing symposia where we will be inculcating the philosophy of placing Nsukka interest first in all our endeavour.”
Prof. Osita Ogbu, former Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, while delivering a lecture on the theme of the Colloquium, urged the people of Nsukka cultural zone to jettison their political and religious differences and get along with each other to shape the future of the area politically and economically.
This was even as he insisted that the people must develop positive mindset and should always take risk to break barriers as well as give good impression of themselves.
While noting that there was no elevator to success, Ogbu who is the immediate past Director, Institute for Development Studies University of Nigeria Nsukka, said, “Nsukka people must systematically encourage wealth creation among themselves,”
Also, Mrs. Sally Aduku-Bolujoko, who delivered the sub lecture on the topic; “Women in Concept of Development; Nkpokote Nsukka in View,” said that unity is the only way Nsukka zone can achieve any thing they desire.
Aduku-Bolujoko a former President, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and adviser to then President Goodluck Jonathan, identified lack of unity and timidity as one of the factor dragging the zone backward.
She urged them, especially the women from the zone, to rise up and showcase their potential for the interest and development of the area.
In his remark, Senator Okay Ezea, representing Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly said that the he remains committed to any course that will put Nsukka in it’s rightful position.
Ezea who is popularly known as Ideke, said that his doors were open for team work with other leaders of the zone in order to redeem Nsukka from its marginalized position.
Explaining further, Ezea said, Nsukka deserves more from the state considering it’s position as the Senatorial District with the highest voting strength adding Nsukka must be given it’s rightful position as obtainable in other parts of the country.
He advocated for peace among the leaders of Nsukka zone noting that it was only such gesture that can strengthen our collective voice as a people.
In the same vain, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, the immediate past senator who represented Enugu North senatorial District said that it was time for a true reconciliation that will lead the zone out of this present state of disintegration noting, “Nsukka Interests must be ahead of our individual interest”.
Also, Hon. Eugene Odoh, former Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly said that the forum’s objective was apt adding that it will help in leadership accountability.
He appealed to Nsukka people to open their hearts and pardon leaders from the zone who may not have met their expectations while in occupying different political offices in the past.
The founder of Maduka University Ekwegbe-Nsukka, Evangelist Maduka Onyishi, said that it was good for brothers to commune together for the interest of themselves and their community adding, “nobody should be afraid of attending programmes of Nkpokote Nsukka Forum. If you are an Nsukka son/daughter sent here as a spy, sorry for yourself because you not proud of where you come from”.
He commended the organizers of the Nkpokote Nsukka Forum, urging that they should increase their tempo in reaching out to all that matters in Nsukka to be part of forum.
The immediate past Leader Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ike Ezeugwu, commended the founders of Nkpokote Nsukka Forum adding that it will go a long way to strengthen brotherhood and spirit of collectiveness among Nsukka people.
Hon. Chidi Obetta, Member representing Nsukka Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Harrison Ogara, Member representing Igbo-Eze South State Constituency at the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr Sam Otoboeze, President of Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture, Engr. James Ajibo, member ESUT Governing Council, Ambassador Ejike Eze, APC 2023 Enugu North Senatorial candidate, Gen. Chris Eze, former Ambassador to India.
The representatives of Catholic and Anglican Bishops Nsukka Diocese, Former Chairman of Nsukka Local Government a staunch member of PDP, Hon. Onyema Idoko, Prof Paulinus Ugwoke, Chairman Association of Nsukka Professors, Chairman Nsukka Journalist Forum, Mr. Benson Ezeugwu, APC 2023 House of Representatives candidate, Dr. Sam Ekwueme, representatives of Catholic and Anglican Women Organization Nsukka Diocese, Representatives of Nsukka Indigenous Muslim Community, among others, were present during the function.
