Chief Nwodo: Ohanaeze needs idea and innovative Think-tank

My Congratulation goes to Honorable Nnia Nwodo on being elected the new leader of Ohanaeze. Nwodo is a force to reckon with; a man of integrity, a remarkable patriot and a first class citizen of Nigeria. When I listen to him speaks on the issues confronting Igbo nation and Nigeria; I am filled with pride, joy and optimism that finally the dawn of new day has been birthed. Igbo-Nigerians should be satiated for having such an illustrious son at the hour of her greatest need.

I first met Nnia Nwodo at the World Igbo Congress summit in Houston and I have never stopped being impressed especially on his superior logic, brilliance, humility and oratorical skill. He is truly an effective leader indeed.

Ohaneze being a social and cultural organization needs an extension of a think tank or research institute. The think-tank will be a primarily a policy institute that should tackles the political and economic doldrums confronting Igbo nation; thereby sourcing a first class analysis and rendering pathways to solve the targeted problems confronting Igbo nation..

The proposed extension of Ohanaeze will be anchored on research and advocacy. It will research, analyzed and render recommendations to accomplish a given task. For example take the issue of unemployment especially among Igbo youths. The research institute will tackle unemployment issue with creative analysis and recommedations to reduce ravaging unemployment in Igbo nation. Ohaneze’s think tank will become an institute of great ideas and innovation that will work with South east governors for implementations of outlined recommendations.

Working with governors on great ideas and innovations?

Ohanaeze and eastern governors must come into some sort of partnership with the private industry and marketers to address the myriads of problems confronting the region.
The 20th century in the South Eastern Nigeria was a birth of great ideas, institutions and achievements. There was the founding of University of Nigeria, Nsukka , South East was the home of world largest producer and exporter of palm oil, the school of technology MIT was founded. Then later came in Anambra State Channel television 50 and Anambra State University of technology.

But at the interim South East have major problems of erosion, poor transportation, shortage of power, poverty and many others. And the governors cannot solve them by engaging in small talks and donating money to inconsequential organizations and building patches of roads here and there. Where are the big dreams, big visions and the great innovations and ideas to transform Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi States? The governors and states of South East must have a concerted effort and coordination grounded on industry and initiatives to bring affirmative achievements to the citizens of their respective states.

There is a large deposit of coal in Enugu without usage or consumption. The governors can come together and set up a committee to recommend how the coal can be extracted and used to supply electricity to industrial areas in South east geo-political zone.

With same spirit of cooperation they can solve the problem of road congestion and accidents. As a result of massive goods locomotion by trailers from Port Harcourt seaport to the cities; therefore constructing rail tracks from the seaport to rest of the major cities in the zone becomes imperative. Enugu State University Teaching Hospital can be turned into an international center for medical research with emphasis on malaria, heart problems and other diseases affecting Nigerians and Africans.

This is the age of opportunism and I wish that Ohaneze will seize the moment under the pilot ship of pragmatic Dr. Nwodo to make Igbo nation and Nigeria a better place for everybody.