“Figuratively, it can be interpreted to mean that Igbo intellectuals have no real stake or pride of place in the scheme of things.”— Ebuka Onyekwelu
There is an age-long disconnect between the Southeast elites and the masses. The elites of Southeast and the masses appear to live in two divergent world that never meets. This, shape responses to socio-economic and political concerns. For instance, Dim ChukwuemekaOdumegwu-Ojukwu is a hero to millions because he led the Biafra war. Today, Nnamdi Kanu is also seen as a hero because he led the same war from Radio Biafra. In fact, more or less, how one reads development in the Southeast is directly linked to his social status.
Again, it might appear that while some well-to-do Igbo men are trying hard to establish their dominance over their community, those not so privileged are equally working hard to thwart such moves. Most wealthy Igbo men are in a running battle with their communities over land, Igweship or town union leadership. For an average Igbo person, the Igwe, town union leaders and other appendages of government or the establishment, are all agents of oppressive subjugation. It is easy to see why opposing these establishments can earn anyone millions of followers in Southeast. Wherever this sort of development subsists, class war is imminent.
Today, it is still the case that in many Igbo communities, their wealthiest men are involved in dangerous land grabbing. They are involved in funny deals, intimidation of sorts using their contacts, real or imagined. Many Igbo super rich have been variously so accused. Arthur Eze is accused in the land dispute between Ukpo and Abba. Cletus Ibeto is accused in the dispute surrounding Nnewi roundabout land, among many more instances. By far, Igbo billionaires, it might appear, cause far more problems for their communities than the positive impact they have on their communities. In fact, it appears as if any Igbo super rich without record of intimidation and abuse, usually relating to land grabbing or imposition of leaders, is aloof and completely uninvolved in the affairs of his community. In other words, they do not have any positive impact. There are many in this category, who are busy minding their trade.
Is there any Igbo billionaire that has undertaken to ensure that his community has stable power supply?
Generally, the rich and well educated are viewed with suspicion in Igbo land because, their communities do not have any significant benefit from their fame. They are often conceived of, as agents of deprivation hence millions of Nnamdi Kanu’s followers were able to relate when Kanu replaced Igbo intellectuals with “otellectuals”, which can be interpreted as thinking from one’s anus. Figuratively, it can be interpreted to mean that Igbo intellectuals have no real stake or pride of place in the scheme of things. The worry is how that concept resonates with the masses. This also includes religious leaders of Igbo origin. Most often, the only time their relevance is sort is during inter community dispute. Over the years, this suspicion has grown in bounds. Both the super rich and the well educated usually have nothing significant in their name, to show in their community. Aside their palatial home and maybe a community hall, nothing else. Some have industry that offer employment to people. Besides this, that is all. It is just as if they do not have any place in their exalted position, to accommodate community service, beyond sinking borehole. Is there any Igbo billionaire that has undertaken to ensure that his community has stable power supply? Has any Igbo intelligentsia undertaken to ensure that indigent members of his community have scholarship to pursue their educational aspiration? The failure of Igbo elites to deliberately mutate themselves or empower their communities to have chances of producing themselves in the future, is the greatest undoing of the Igbos of this age. Before now, the “igba-boi” system was useful in wealth creation and in fighting poverty. But now that it seems to have outlived its relevance, what next?
Typically, the successful Igbo man is safely tucked in the smoothest part of Abuja, Lagos, Portharcourt or Kano. Some, well tucked in the most beautiful parts of the Western world with their families. From their, those that “care” send allowances home from time to time. If not for the insecurity now, they do come home for burial or marriage from time to time. That aside, absolutely nothing else concerns them. No form of organised mentorship. No organised way of ensuring sustainability in development and progress. Everyone simply goes through the same process of trial, error and struggle, after which time the elites loses influence power over the young. The failure to take responsibility on the part of the elites, is the reason Southeast communities are being deserted. Today, some young, more daring and frustrated southeasterners are involved in some sort of criminality under the pretense of agitation for freedom. By and large, what is happening in Southeast, read as criminality and insecurity under any guise, is clearly a class war. Those at the bottom of the food chain wants to get to the top, at all costs.
Most Igbo intellectuals have no touch with the realities in their communities
Most Igbo intellectuals have no touch with the realities in their communities. Perhaps, they do not want to be challenged or questioned by “illiterates”. So they stay away, having zero impact and completely unconcerned about events and developments in their communities. Yet, their larger than life influence blazes across the length and breath of their sphere of dominance.
It is the general assumption that the failure of leadership in Southeast is to be blamed on the region’s political leaders. But, the failure is deeper, with far more profound negative impact than can be imagined. In any case, can government account for why a prominent and influential Igbo man cannot build a relevant institute that will help the local economy of his community? Who can account for why Igbo billionaires are notorious for land grabbing? Who knows why the intellectual community has been unable to duplicate themselves or even demonstrate the effectiveness of their ideas in their communities?
As long as the disconnect between the upper and lower class in Igbo land continues to be fueled by the arrogance of the elites and their unwillingness to impact their communities, the people will continue to find a hero in a charlatan and war monger, than in an organised, learned and clear-headed but “useless” elite.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
