Assistant Editor (South South), JOE EZUMA, writes on the civic reception and conferment of chieftaincy title on America-based educator, Acho Orabuchi, by his Ogboeruru community in Orlu, Imo State.
In apparent bid to re-orientate its sons and daughters who have contributed to the development of other states, countries and continents to think home and replicate same to their people, Ezimba Ogboeruru Community in Orlu Local Government, Imo State, recently rolled out the carpets and drums to honour its United States of America-based citizen and educator, Dr. Iheanacho (Acho) Orabuchi, with a chieftaincy title.
The event, which has been extolled as a great feat in social engineering, fits into trends by the Igbo of the South East to their people, especially those who had made phenomenal contribution to the growth and development of their host states/countries through exploits in science, commerce and industry, to begin to extend their achievements to their mother land.
The growing attitude, which has provoked the consciousness of the Igbo to the reality of building from home, began to gain ground following the expulsion of some Igbo people from Lagos by the then Babatunde Fashola administration in the state, followed by the curse placed on the people by the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, if they failed to vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2015 general elections.
Incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, Director of Radio Biafra and leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), which has given vent to resurgence of calls for a separate Biafran entity, especially among the youth, is also counted among the factors in the think-home consciousness. The fear being expressed is that with what the Igbo went through in the 1967-1970 Civil War, especially the so-called abandoned property issue, the people cannot afford to be caught napping again in the event of any new crisis in the country. What has added weight to this fear is the growing and undeserved hostility the Igbo often undergo in the hands of their host communities.
This is in addition to the fact that Igboland has been criminally neglected since after the civil war by successive administrations in the country. It has therefore become a compelling move by the Igbo to attract their worthy sons and daughters abroad to make part of their investments at home and to impact on their people.
This was the thinking in Ogboeruru, Orlu, when the traditional ruler, Eze Mike Igwemma (KSJ), conferred on Orabuchi the title of Ebube Dike Ezimba Ogboeruru.
The educator was among other recipients of titles in an occasion that highlighted the Silver Jubilee of the monarch’s marriage and four years on the throne.
Eze Igwemma, on the occasion, stressed the need for community leaders to do more in promoting activities that will engender peace and development in their domains.
“Peace is key to the development of every community and until community leaders learn to promote peaceful relationship among their subjects, Nigeria will not develop,” he said, adding that Orabuchi was given the title because of his numerous contributions to the community and to humanity in general.
“I gave Dr. Acho the title because he deserved it. He opened the way and showed the light for other of our people to find their way. He is a development agent for our community, even in his base at U.S.A. I am also using the opportunity to encourage our other sons and daughters in the Diaspora to think home. In doing that, Igbo will praise them and will not abandon them in their times of want,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President General of Ezimba-Ogberuru, E.U. Oguekusi, described Eze Igwemma as a “humble and peace-loving leader”, describing the monarch as not just a leader but a servant-leader who understands the dynamics of power, authority and service.
Apart from the governor of Imo and his predecessors who sent representatives at the occasion that was heralded with thanksgiving Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ogberuru, before the reception at the palace, other eminent personalities also sent goodwill messages. Notable among them was the Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Atlanta, Georgia, where the recipient is based.
Receiving the title, Orabuchi congratulated Eze Igwemma for his eventful four years on the throne and 25 years of his marriage. He also thanked the monarch for recognising him with the title.
He remarked that while the recognition would encourage him to continue to serve his country as well as his American host community, it would stimulate other diaspora Nigerians, especially the Igbo, towards homeward development endeavours.
Speaking with journalists after his chieftaincy conferment, Orabuchi, a popular columnist with Nigerian tabloid, Daily Sun, stated that he received the honour with an abundant sense of humility and incredible gratitude, saying that as a proud son of the land, “I love Ezimba! I must not relent in my continuous diligent work and activities to provide voice to Ezimba.
“It is my vision to transform Ezimba-Ogberuru community into a place that can provide hope and aspiration for the youths who are leaders of tomorrow,” Orabuchi said, pledging to provide financial assistance for widows, indigents and others with business acumen in the community through the micro-finance bank there.
The educationist urged Nigerians to eschew bitterness that can distort the nation’s developmental strides.