A university teacher, Professor Jude Udenta, has called on other tribes and interests in Nigeria to give the Igbo-man a chance in the national political and socio-economic arrangement of the country.
Udenta, a Professor of Government and Public Administration, made the call on Friday while delivering the 24th Inaugural Lecture at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
In the lecture entitled: “Ndigbo and the Current Political Equation in Nigeria: A Parametric Outlook’’, Professor Udenta lamented that previously, Ndigbo represented a plus factor in Nigerian politics but today “Ndigbo are a minus factor’’; adding that since the return of democracy in 1999 an Igbo-man had not been a president or vice-president of the country.
Udenta said that many vested socio-political interests had shrunk and continued to manipulate the political interest of Ndigbo through Igbo-phobia and unnecessary demonisation of the Igbo.
The university teacher said that the marginalisation was clearly evident in the making of Ndigbo a minority by giving and creating five states in Igbo-land; while minority tribes were given six states.
He noted that there was an already growing realiation among all especially Ndigbo, that all was not well with Ndigbo in the political equation of the country, stressing that Ndigbo had always provided solutions to problems in the country.
According to him, “Ndigbo have always added value and enterprise for which they have been compensated by the market in the name of profit; thus, it is this profit that breeds jealousy by other tribes
“Put the other way round, profit is a function of production/productivity. That is the contribution to the economy. The Igbos, have been pathfinders in most parts of Nigeria. They contribute immeasurably to building every local economy no matter how remote that part of the country is. However, when they reap the legitimate benefits it becomes another matter,’’ he said.
In an address, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Luke Anike, said that the lecture was thought-provoking and with deep insight into factors militating against Ndigbo in the national political equation.
Anike said that many people have proffered suggestions on the political position of Ndigbo without facts and data; but today Prof. Udenta had given us the facts, data and figures on the position of Ndigbo in the political equation of the country.
“I am sure that the lecture gave us insight as well as created an awareness among us on where Ndigbo should be in the political equation considering the great contributions of Ndigbo to national development throughout Nigeria,’’ he said.
He noted that the institution would continue to organize lectures meant to serve quality academic food for the consumption of intellectual minds that would help shape and better the society.
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