Think-Home Campaing: Eminent Igbos setup group to encourage investment at home.
—– says threats of having Igbos big investment outside Igbo land inform the birth of the group.
By Chimaobi Nwaiwu
NNEWI———- Determined to encourage Ndigbo to invest at home to avoid threats that comes with having their big investment outside Igbo land, and to encourage politicians of Igbo extraction to give their best to Ndigbo through the offices they occupy, notable Igbo’s of diverse profession have set up “The Great Igbo Achievers” organization, also known as (Akurulu Uzo N’ Alaigbo Amaka) to encourage think home investment and service to the people in Igbo land.
The organization which they described as a “Home driven and investment organization “, empowered in line with the Igbo Think-Home investment and development philosophy, is said to encourage investing more at home, is also aimed at promoting good societal values and right ideas in Igbo land.
A statement by the group to newsmen in Onitsha jointly signed by its National President, Chief Simon N. Okeke, OFR, former Chairman; Police Service Commission, Major General;
Collins R.U Ihekire, (rtd), Director; Media and Publicity, His Lordship;
Justice Alpha Ikpeama, Coordinator General, and Prof. Nick Eze, National Advisory Council/Patron, also said that The Great Igbo Achievers, organization was conceptualized mainly to adequately and constructively examine landmark achievements and signature legacy projects of state Governors, members of the National Assembly, notable individuals of Igbo speaking states for recognition and awards.
The organization also stated that it intends to honour Ndigbo of proven integrity, hard work and dedication, just as people who have set up industries and businesses to provide employment and boost the economy of Igbo speaking states.
The organization which has notable Igbo as His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, as its National Vice President, also has His Lordship; Hon. Justice Anthony I.Iguh, CON. former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and former Chief Judge of Old and New Anambra State, as its National Advisory Council/Life Patron.
Also in the group are His Excellency, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwaodo
former Governor Enugu State, Commodore; Ebitu Ukiwe, (Rtd, Prof. Chinedu O. Nebo, former Minister of Power, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese as Spiritual Father, and Prof. Pat Utomi also as members.
Other eminent Igbo sons and daughters who are members of the group are, Pastor Michael Obierika, National Financial Secretary, His Lordship;
Hon. Justice G.U Ononiba, former Chief Judge of Anambra State, His Lordship;
Hon. Justice Ngozi Umeh, former Judge of Anambra State High Court, Her Excellency, Prof.(Dame) Uche Azikiwe,MFR.
It also have Iyom Josephine Anineh, former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief Mrs Chika Ibeneme, former Commissioner for Works, Housing and Urban development, Anambra State, as patronesses and Emeritus Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala.
Chairman; Board of Trustees Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, as members.
The group also disclosed that people who have invested heavily in their states, building durable roads, awarding scholarships, engaging in rural electrification, building factories and industries which provided job opportunities to youths and increased the revenue profile of their states, will equally be honoured.
“We will be organizing awards biannually to celebrate and accredit the landmark and uncommon achievements of captains of industries and accomplished entrepreneurs within Igbo nation.
“We are adequately committed to ensure that men and women who render selfless and noteworthy services to their states and indeed the entire Igbo Nation are immortalized through picking the first eleven in their various fields of endeavors.
“Our mission is to promote, validate and grant meritorious awards to eminent Ndigbo sons and daughters who rendered invaluable services to their states in various capacities with a view to encouraging others to emulate them in investing their wealth in the Igbo nation as well.
“We have the policy of taking pragmatic steps towards the growth, development and sustainability of the economy of Igbo land and Igbo speaking states, with core value of commitment, innovation and selfless service.
“We also intend to unite Ndigbo and other residents and citizens to form a formidable front for economic growth and prosperity of Igbo land and Igbo speaking states.
“We intend to create a healthy synergy between the government and the governed in Igbo land with the view to fostering unity, progress and peace among the people and creating a benchmark of excellence in relationship practices.”
