Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
As the 2023 political dispensation approaches, President-General of United Igbo Community (UIC), Rivers and Bayelsa States, Evang. Julius Uzoma has assured members of his group that all their challenges are over.
Addressing a mammoth crowd on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the Community Leader said UIC members who were hitherto apprehensive of their recognition by the Rivers State Governor can now be rest assured that the issue has been taken care of.
He urged them to be more united, as there is no reason to act otherwise.
“Disunity of the Igbo Community has ended today. We must unite and speak in one voice. We have not rested since several days, having been discussing with the Governor of the State at Governnment House. The Governor has heard us, so we advise that you keep the peace and await Government’s final decision,” Uzoma said.
He said the meeting was God’s divine design, and as such their deeds should conform with God’s plan for the people.
The President General promised to reconvene the meeting at the end of August, 2022, pointing out that everything by then would have been streamlined.
He noted that no decision can work without due consultations with the people.
“So till the end of next month, we would have streamlined everything and we will invite you again. No decision can work without due consultations. That our road that was closed has been opened now,” he said.
The President General appreciated all the chapters of UIC that attended the meeting, assuring them that the old adage that said that the Igbos have no king is obsolete and can no longer apply in this dispensation.
“I want to assure you that in my time, the Igbos will have a king and leader. It is time to receive strength from the National of UIC. Therefore all the chapters should go home with joy, because the reason for coming here has been realised,” Uzoma posited.
In his remarks, another chieftain of UIC, Eze, Sir, Engr. Samm Nwokolo, Eze Jiofor Ndi-Igbo said the meeting was for reconciliation among UIC members, with a view to smoothing the curves.
He corroborated the position of the President General that another Congress will be convened two weeks time to announce appealing packages for its members.
He reiterated that the Igbos are unique people, so conscious efforts must be made to sustain this rare feature and pass over the next generation.
Sir Nwokolo frowned at attempts by few individuals to fan the embers of disunity among UIC fold.
He opined that people with capacity should be appointed to lead the Community.
“Igbos are unique people, so we will try as much as we can to pass the unique nature of Ndi-Igbo, which is peace, unity and non-violence to the next generation,” he said.