***Ask Ibos never to chicken out as they are eminently qualified for leadership
***Cautions against nepotism by leaders
Elderstatesman and leader of the Ijaw nation, Chief Edwin Clark has again called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to immediately implement the report of the 2014 National Conference Report in order to re-unite the Igbos, bringing them to the position they occupied before the civil war.
He spoke yesterday when a delegation of ten Igbo leaders visited to celebrate his 97th birthday, which occurred on May 25, 2024.
He said Nigeria is a big family, as such, leaders particularly Presidents, should avoid the temptation of making appointments on ethnic basis.
He said such an act portends a very dangerous trend for the country.
He said there is no conquered Nigerian, and advised that people who are appointed into offices should stop mystifying those who appointed them, seeing them as god.
He said while courtesy demands that people appreciate when things are done for them, doing so with a slave-like mentality, is tantamount to adulation.
He reminded them that Igbos should hold their head high, as they have always held positions of reckoning in the country.
He recalled the activities of past Igbo leaders like Jaja Wachuku who was a Pan-Africanist and most respected first Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“Therefore, for an Igbo man to genuflect and say the Igbos should jump to the skies because one of them is appointed a ‘super’ Minister today, is to him an overpraise. ”
He said Igbos who find themselves appointed to positions, especially at the national level, should see themselves as qualified to hold such position, and not to be subservient. “Because if other Nigerians are qualified, the Igbos are qualified too. ”
He expressed the optimism that the Igbos woll put their acts together so as to achieve their desire.
Chief Clark expressed surprise at the visit and condolences for the recent passing of Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, the former President-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo.
He emphasized the importance of equality and encouraged Igbos to recognize their worth and qualifications in leadership roles.
Chief Clark said he was very surprised and elated by the visit of the Igbo leadership which was to him, quite shocking, as he was not aware of any such plan to visit him.
He expressed his sincere condolences to them, on the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, who until his death, was the President-General of the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo.
He said the loss was not just to the Igbos, but to the people of the Southern and Middle Belt, and indeed to Nigerians.
He prayed that God will give the bereaved family, the people of Ohaneze and indeed everyone, the fortitude to bear the loss.
He expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the delegation for finding time to come and celebrate his 97th Birthday, which was held about two months ago. He said he felt quite humbled by their kind words towards him, in appreciation for doing what he is only doing because he feels that all human beings are born equal.
The delegation of the Igbo leadership, led by Chief Dr. Simon N. Okeke, a former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), said the purpose of the visit was to felicitate with Chief (Dr.) Edwin Clark on his 97th Birthday which the elder statesman celebrated on 25th May, 2024.
The delegation said while they appreciate the fact that the birthday was celebrated about two months ago and would have embarked on the visit earlier, the fact that Chief Clark travelled to the United Kingdom shortly after the birthday celebrations, for his routine medical check-up, was responsible for their late visit.
The leader of the delegation said the visit was also to show appreciation for the selfless leadership qualities Chief Clark has shown in piloting the affairs of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, (SMBLF), an umbrella body made up of the people of the Middlebelt, South-East, South-South and the South-West.
The delegation said the Igbos are particularly grateful to Chief Clark for always speaking out for them, against the perceived discriminations and injustices perpetrated against them in the country.
They prayed God to continue to keep Chief Clark in sound health and mind, as he continues to speak out against discrimination, marginalization and oppression.
Amb. Godknows Igali praised the resilience of the Igbo community. The delegation included notable figures like Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike and Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu.