Ndigbo are ambassadors of economic evangelism – Ukah

Maverick priest and situations analyst of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, The Very Reverend Monsignor Livinus Onwuamaizu Ukah was on top of the celebration of the New Yam Festival in Lagos last week where he declared with nostalgia that he is “very glad” he is an Igbo man.

In this exclusive interview with GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR, the radical cleric extolled the virtues of Ndigbo and declared that the uniqueness of his people is the problem of the Nigerian nation, among others claims.

“Nigeria is sick; even the Church is sick because they see reality from the limitation of their own cultural diameter and by so doing, the reality is no longer real, it becomes relative,” he began.

Extolling the stuff Ndigbo are made of, the Situations Analyst noted in retrospect that people in governance have tried to blot them out of history since the civil war.

“But like the cat with nine lives, Ndigbos have increased the more. They have a spirit in them that refuses to succumb to any form of ethnic-cleansing.”

Declaring that Ndigbo are a people on a mission, Ukah said they are spread out to all parts of Nigeria and the hidden corners of the world.

“They are ambassadors on economic evangelism for which they face great risks wherever they live, but I can tell you: “Being all over Nigeria does not mean they are homeless.

Their mission is to develop anywhere they go and bring great development to their host communities as if it is their home but sadly, Nigeria does not appreciate their ingenuity; if they do, the sky will not even be their limit.”

Still basking in the euphoria of the stock of his nativity, Monsignor Ukah told The Daily Times that being an Igbo is a feeling that cannot be taken away from me.

“I am glad to be an Igbo man because there is a lot of stuff in Igbo man. He believes in “umunna”. The Igbo man is industrious, does not beg;

he is rugged and makes something out of nothing and like the Jews, what they have gone through in life has strengthened their resolve to establish and increase wherever they are.

Nigeria should understand the spirit behind their uniqueness; their drive for industry is an asset to everyone and Nigeria should know that what affects the Igbos affects all,” he said.

Igbo Presidency
“It is not just saying it to calm the nerves of the Igbos. It is when Nigeria develops a sense of justice, direction and in tune with the global democratic practice that she can stop dishing out Greek gifts to her citizens in the name of “Zonal Presidency.”
Frowning at the targeted 2022 for a possible Igbo Presidency, the priest said he feels bad.

“I feel bad when they say Igbo Presidency cannot come before 2022. It shouldn’t be so. Democracy should decide, but Nigeria’s democracy is far from democracy.

What Ibrahim Babangida defined as “a little to the left and a little to the right” cannot be a democracy; then Obasanjo compounded it by saying “winning an election is a do or die affair”: would you call that a democracy?”

But playing the game the Nigerian way, does he look forward to an Igbo Presidency some day? The maverick shook his head and declared, “It will not happen. Presidency is not something this stock of leaders will give out on a platter of gold.

“In a democracy, when you show your credentials and you convince your people that you can do better than others, then they vote you into power. It is not a gift that leaders should think they are giving to Ndigbo – that would be a Greek gift.”

Livinus Ukah is the second Igbo man in history to make this declaration. The first man was late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo who said of Igbo Presidency after the civil war: “It is contrary to human history that a people who just wriggled out of a civil war would be awarded the presidency.

There is no historical precedent. I knew it was not going to happen here.” The political mathematical calculator was right: it didn’t happen. It hasn’t happened.

Recalling that the geo-political zones have been suspicious and wary of Ndigbo immediately after independence, Ukah said Nigeria has exploited the Igbos right from 1960.

“That suspicion and exploitation have not changed. Nigeria has been exploiting Igbos and they don’t even know that the Igbos hold the formulae that will boost their economy.

The Igbo entrepreneurial skill helps their hosts grow by creating jobs and making essential services of life abound in their communities.

But instead of appreciating them, the people see them as occupying space in their region, refusing to see them as fellow Nigerians.”

Of all past and serving Eastern Governors, the clergyman regrets that there is a left over in the governors.

“They don’t really know or appreciate who they are, which is too sad because they should be able to dig into their inner recesses and stand firm to rule their people so that the people will be blessed abundantly.”

Zik of Africa
Monsignor Ukah recalled with respect, the pedigree of the first Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, fondly called “Zik of Africa”.

“Nnamdi Azikiwe believed in oneness of Nigeria, but his oneness didn’t stand the test of time, because those breed of politicians didn’t have the capacity to understand Zik’s wonderful ideology.

They didn’t know the Nigerian entity or what being a Nigerian meant; being patriotic, working together to build a nation. Instead they were only fighting for their own geo-political zones and constituencies while Zik was a symbol of one whole Nigeria.

“They felt his was an unrealisable ideology, but now everyone is chanting “reconstruction” as a way to forge ahead.

In the First Republic, Zik was way ahead of his generation; they didn’t have the knowledge to embrace the wonderfulness in that one Nigeria Ideology.

He was even looking beyond Nigeria to unifying all Africa, that was what earned him the name – Zik of Africa.”

Concept of wealth
“The concept of wealth in Nigeria is wrong. It’s not just accumulating money or swimming in a pool of cash while you’re not happy.

They think they are but they are not. If they are happy, why would they bury money at cemeteries, hiding money meant for the development of the people in storage tanks, in empty buildings, shops and so on?

If you acquire wealth in a right way you’ll be happy, but not to acquire the whole world with the people’s money at the expense of others and the poor will be suffering.”

Where would the humanist start from if he were to rule Nigeria for tenure?
“I will eradicate poverty by making sure that the money that belongs to all will reach to all constituencies and make sure those in charge develop the grassroots, build industries, create jobs, build good roads, farmers will produce food and take them to the cities.”

Way out
“Nigerians must develop the culture of electing leaders that are focused, that do not have greedy ideas of wealth; leaders that will know that wealth is for the use of the people, developing your country and let the people feel good about themselves. When your country men are happy, you are happy.”

2019 Election
“Let the people be careful and know who they give their vote. APC could not fulfill all their electoral promises because corrupt leaders in the PDP were decamping in droves to APC and Buhari and his party embraced them; that is recycling of evil. That’s why corruption is refusing to be uprooted.

“Unless our people will know the right concept of what it means to be a leader, to serve the people, Nigerians will still remain the way they are.”

Nigeria has a host of quality individuals
The Imo State born cleric who received a Merit Award in recognition for his humility in the work of God from the Holy Family Society of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Gowon Estate in Lagos, said of the Nigerian people:

“I was stunned at the galaxy of personalities, cars, people of high integrity and Godly disposition unused in governance and I felt happy that I am rooted to quality Nigerians – not only Igbos this time, but others from different parts of the country.

“What I saw there gave me hope that Nigeria can be better if political leaders know how to pick the right people for governance.”

The occasion was the 5th Year Anniversary of the Holy Family Society of St. Joseph Catholic Church featuring Yam Harvest, Merit Awards under the distinguished Chairmanship of Chief (Sir) Collins Eke (KSM).

The place of Igbo man in the next 50 years in Nigeria?
“Give him room to work and he will work. Give him room to lead and he will lead. Nigerians should know what they want from their leaders.

Those who vote for politicians should spell out the type of leadership they want; if they fail, vote them out.

The Very Reverend Onwuamaizu Livinus Ukah holds two Masters degree and two BA Hons, from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He also did social analysis before his ordination as a Priest of the Catholic order.

Quote
I am glad to be an Igbo man because there is a lot of stuff in Igbo man. He believes in “umunna”. The Igbo man is industrious, does not beg; he is rugged and makes something out of nothing and like the Jews, what they have gone through in life has strengthened their resolve to establish and increase wherever they are. Nigeria should understand the spirit behind their uniqueness; their drive for industry is an asset to everyone and Nigeria should know that what affects the Igbos affects all