Prof Jemie and Dr Chinweizu propose a unique solution to the recurrent problem of managing the existence of the Igbo Diaspora in Lagos.
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The 2023 elections have exposed to one and all the long-festering problem between the Igbo Diaspora in Lagos and the Yoruba Indigenes of Lagos.
Nigeria’s complicated history has created two situations which we, two concerned Igbo elders, consider unfair. On the one hand, it seems to us unfair that the large population of Igbos in Lagos should, with their swing votes, decide which of the competing groups of Yoruba indigenes should govern Lagos. On the other hand, it seems to us unfair that Igboland should find itself deprived of the Igbo entrepreneurs and the economic skills needed for its development as these have been magnetized to Lagos.
We believe that the time and opportunity have arrived to terminate these two unfair legacies of Nigeria’s history, and to do so in a peaceful, amicable and permanent manner that will give each side what it needs and desires.
We, as Igbo elders, therefore call upon the Governors of the South-East region to approach the Governor of Lagos State with a plan of the kind outlined below.
In pursuit of their legitimate ambition to develop Igboland (as indicated in their tweets after their meeting in Enugu last week), the five South-East Governors clearly need to attract back to the South-East the Igbo entrepreneurs now in Diaspora in Lagos. They need also to create an environment that will encourage Igbo entrepreneurs and Igbo human capital to stay in Igboland and apply there their energies, skills and talents.
To that end, they should approach the Governor of Lagos State for a dialogue on how to organize an orderly exodus of Igbos from Lagos and back to Igboland. If accomplished, this should give the Lagos indigenes what they desire, and to Igboland what it needs. And that would be a win-win solution for the Yoruba and Igbo nationalities.
To reduce and eventually reverse the pressures that drive Igbos to Lagos in search of economic opportunities, the South-East Governors and the Lagos Governor should jointly approach the Tinubu Government in Abuja to, among other things, decongest the Lagos ports by encouraging robust use of the ports in the South-South, namely Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, etc.
Furthermore, goodwill and cooperation between the Tinubu administration in Abuja, the Sanwo-Olu government in Lagos, and the South-South and South-East governments should result in policies that will give the South-South and South-East the economic blood transfusion they have long needed to end their economic anemia and boost their contribution to the development and prosperity of the whole of Nigeria. It should also give the Yoruba indigenes of Lagos the permanent relief they legitimately crave from the fearful prospect of being drowned by the flood of Igbo Diaspora flowing to Lagos. That way, all sides in this misguided and unfortunate conflict can win.
We think it is in the interest of the people of the South-East for their Governors to take the initiative to actualize all this.
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WhatsApp Responses
Interesting
(Ichie Udora, +234 706 402 3119) The subject of reversing Igbo diaspora movement to Lagos is interesting. In addition to seeking collaborative efforts with Lagos state and Federal government, there should also be a Plan B. This should explore the modalities of cooperation and collaboration between the SE and SS states in partnership with private sector investors, local and foreign. Concessioning development of Warri, PH, Calabar and Oguta ports.
Linking the SE and SS states by rail .Equally importantly is ensuring that gas powered electricity in every Senatorial zone after serving the commercial and manufacturing cities.
Bonkers
Sounds like Bonkers to me – Adewale Maja-Pearce
… Really Bonkers
That’s putting it mildly. I’m all for radical ideas and Chinweizu has had a few that I significant merit in but it’s difficult to find any in the present one. Fix a complicated set of historical and political challenges by committee! Really bonkers. Paul Nwabuikwu
Who implements the solution?
That “fearful prospect of being drowned by the flood of Igbo diaspora flowing to Lagos” remains a dangerous phenomenon and a malignant cancer that has been allowed (or made) to spread by the parochial minded political actors, the same set of people being looked upon to provide solutions.
The festering crisis was partly a result of the failure of the “five South East Governors (past and present, to even contemplate the need or make any attempt) to attract back to the South East the Igbo entrepreneurs now in diaspora in Lagos.” If only they will wake up to that responsibility, things will most likely change for the better. It is hoped that those being looked up to for solutions will live up to expectations and not merely gloss over this issue of existential relevance because of parochial and personal political capital as we know that career politicians are mostly cowards who will not stand up for anything if it is easier and more personally rewarding for them to fight against it. – Olukayode Oyeleye
I disagree
I disagree with this solution or the concept of ‘attracting Igbos back to the South East’. What has happened to the spirit of entrepreneurship? Can any region, group or people single handedly develop without input from others. Among the Igbos, do we not have some that are even more Yoruba than Yoruba. I think the issue of ethnicity which came up was deliberately whipped up to achieve some certain ends. I don’t care where you are from, I am interested in your humanity irrespective of tribe or religion.
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WhatsApp Comments
Interesting
Ichie Udora
The subject of reversing Igbo diaspora movement to Lagos is interesting.
In addition to seeking collaborative efforts with Lagos state and Federal government, there should also be a plan B.
This should explore the modalities of cooperation and collaboration between the SE and SS states in partnership with private sector investors, local and foreign.
Concessioning development of Warri, PH, Calabar and Oguta ports.
Linking the SE and SS states by rail . Equally importantly is ensuring that gas powered electricity in every Senatorial zone after serving the commercial and manufacturing cities.
Utopian, I must say
Utopian I must say. It presupposes that Igbo businesses actually want to move to the SE. I suspect that may not be majorly true. At least for now. Perhaps in the future? Perhaps. I suspect that more Igbo businesses in Lagos do not want to move to Alaigbo than want to.
Why may that be the case?
- There are issues of market size. Lagos market size alone dwarfs entire South east
- Disposable income of that market: That’s purely much higher in Lagos even on a per capita basis
- Infrastructure: Better in Lagos. Reduces cost of doing business
- Political fallouts: i heard Gov Hope Uzodimma pulled down someone’s hotel a few days ago because, as rumors say, he’s PDP. Whether that’s true or not…we know such happens relatively regularly in the SE
- Insecurity: Need i say more?
- Supply chain Management: There are lots of inputs that we require for our businesses that are more available and likely to be located in Lagos than in SE
- Lifestyle: Some prefer the cosmopolitan lifestyle in Lagos. It also reduces interference from extended family and village folk
- Other Social Issues and Malaise: Like Sit an Home. And the propensity for such to happen and be implemented for so long in SE. It can’t even cross into ordinary Ikwerre or Asaba. So there’s something in our mix that leaves us prey to such. Its sit at home today. Who knows what it’ll be next some will ask themselves
- Cosmopolitanism and access to essentials like quality health care, schools, entertainment, etc: For now, truth be told, in the SE, only Enugu can attempt to match Lagos in this aspect. And some people can’t do without that.
Yes…like I suggested in the begining, over time these could all be fixed. But right now? In there absence? I doubt that if the opportunity existed … that Igbo businesses will wanna move to SE in droves
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