In this report, Daniel Obi looks at the incessant cry of marginalisation by Ndigbo and suggests ways to move the geo-political zone forward in the face of marginalisation.
“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune,” Brutus told Cassius in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
This means that there are ebbs and flows in power dynamics, seizing the day or opportunity that requires coordinated thinking and action, because like a tide, it crests and falls. Ndigbo are faced with such a tide and can either ride it to better representation in power or watch it crest and fall to no strategic use.
Top stakeholders of South-East extraction have for many decades howled marginalisation of the region, but perhaps what they have not demonstrated is a strong collective desire to address it.
Recently, John Nnia Nwodo, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo re-echoed the side-lining of Ndigbo, especially in national appointments. Nwodo, who spoke at the inauguration of the youth and women wings of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu, expressed regret that Ndigbo had been marginalised in appointments into critical offices in the country, including the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the top echelon of the security agencies in the country.
Nwodo’s voice is in-tandem with similar expressions by other organisations and individuals in the South-East geopolitical zone. But what has really not been visible is a total cohesive, well-coordinated and all-embraced tactical approach to arrest the situation.
Nwodo said in the report that Ohanaeze, under his leadership, had resolved to pursue restructuring so that the South-East and South-South could come together as one region, control their natural resources and use it to develop their domains.
While some regions, including the South East and South West are clamouring for restructuring which they consider effective approach to turn Nigeria’s potential into reality, the political will to engage in the exercise by the leadership is lacking.
The proponents of this course believe that in addition to diversification of the economy from oil, that restructuring will enable the country to create viable federating units for planning and pursuit of economic development, and encourage the devolution of more powers to the regions to deal with socio-political and economic issues.
But some other Nigerians have also expressed fears that restructuring may not work because it does not guarantee win-win economic situation for all regions. Former head of state, Yakubu Gowon believes that “restructuring Nigeria’” is not a possibility because the current composition of Nigeria makes it difficult for restructuring to take place. What this means is that South East may not wait for restructuring to reverse marginalisation.
It is also surprising that Ndigbo, as perceived do not really see the media as a strong weapon to fight and achieve purpose. This is exemplified in most moribund newspapers across the Niger. Those that print at all, have wider circulation challenges. Most TV stations in the region are government-owned; as such have limitations in pushing any collective agenda of Ndigbo.
Amazingly, when Ndigbo need to ventilate their views about such issues as marginalisation, side-lining on appointments, erosion catastrophe, dilapidated roads, among others, they do that, largely through media controlled and domiciled in other regions, especially South West.
Some of these stories are tucked inside one corner of the newspapers or given small space towards the end of the news time in broadcast media and this fails to evoke the required attention. It is often said that nobody can represent you better than yourself. Don’t forget that Africa largely suffers image challenges due to poor media representation of the continent in global circles.
The power of the media has long been proven. Nigeria’s independence was achieved through the power of the media. Through the power of the media, Ibrahim Babangida was forced to step aside. But the most recent one is the 2015 general election which media greatly assisted All Progressives Congress (APC) to win the election. APC successfully packaged its story which the media circulated and the people believed. The purpose was achieved.
The question for Ndigbo is what narrative are they disseminating and through which medium, controlled by who? Even when some Ndigbo establish media organisations, the content is largely determined by non-Ndigbo.
The world today is about media for conviction with the right stories. Until Ndigbo create their narratives, package and sell them heavily and forcefully through their own channels, as CNN does, they will continue to remain side-lined and such armless groups like Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will continue to be described as terrorists.
Perhaps, one aspect of marginalisation as regretted by Nwodo is the concentration of major sea port in Lagos while Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar seaports can contain ships of various sizes. This means that goods and containers predestined for South East will land in Lagos before conveying them to their destination. This has implication on security, safety and road network. Since many people from South East are into commerce, Ndigbo can push, through strong and influential media of Ndigbo interest, for opening of the other seaports to enhance businesses.
However, if Ndigbo are marginalised by anybody or group of persons, Ndigbo themselves should not marginalise themselves, instead, they should take up the gauntlet and move forward. China and Israel were once nowhere but today they are power houses in the comity of nations. No matter the social or political affiliation, Ndigbo, including the governors, top stakeholders, media executives in various channels should articulate and strategise for a common purpose for the development of the region.
Ndigbo, according to reports, have over N44 trillion investments in the North alone and multiple trillions of Naira investments in the South West and Abuja. Economic traction should be created in the region to attract investments from Ndigbo who are in various places including in Diaspora. With oneness of mind among Ndigbo about development of the region, fund raising could be organised for a rail line or any other common infrastructure linking all the states for economic cooperation. With economic and intellectual resources in their disposal Ndigbo can create a strong economic bloc.
It is also important to create sense of unification among Ndigbo wherever they reside. This can be done through cultural activities and even football games.
Whether Biafra or not, Ndigbo wherever they are, should know they belong to a race with one cultural identity. They need to play up this identity, create more brotherhood and join hands in reversing any marginalisation. Understanding the role of media in the region’s quest to protest marginalisation, build strong economic bloc and move the geopolitical zone forward is crucial.
