The Publisher of Igbo Life Magazine, Mr Chris Onyeulo, says the organisation’s forthcoming lecture on ‘Igbo Leadership Challenge,’ would harp on the need for a change of strategy by Igbo politicians in national integration.

The lecture will be delivered by Dr. Chigozie Nnabuihe of the Department of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies, University of Lagos, Akoka.

Onyeulo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that such moves would make politicians of Igbo extraction to be more formidable in the nation’s political realm.

According to him, the essence of the leadership sensitisation was to ensure the Ibos took part in the politics of their land and make meaningful contributions for their benefit.

They will also be in a position to speak with one voice and have a common front on national issues, including politicking for the highest elective office in the country, he said.

“Our upcoming event, Igbo Life Leadership Lecture with the topic ‘Igbo Leadership Challenge: The Role of Socio-Cultural Organisations,’ is to discuss about this problem.

“May be we have been handling it with kid cloves but we want to confront it now frontally.

“We want to make sure that Igbo people have credible leaders; we want to make sure that the duplication of Igbo socio-cultural groups are in the best interest of Ndigbo and this is what we are pursuing.”

“I do hope that Igbo Life Magazine will bring a new consciousness to this area whereby the people should participate in choosing their leaders.

“Our leaders will no more be imposed on us.

“We want Igbo Life to pursue the agenda that our people must participate in the socio-cultural activities and politics of their land.

“We are going to educate them that they must participate because it is only when you participate, that you can make good choices of your leaders.”

Onyeulo said the Igbos would be encouraged on industrialisation back in their region so that the locals there could have job opportunities.

He said that such encouragement should come by way of government’s contribution in ensuring security of lives and property, creation of industrial zones and giving interest-free loans.

He urged the governments of the South-Eastern region to give the people a true sense of belonging as other areas.

NAN reports that Igbo Life magazine which will be published quarterly will be launched on October 10 during the lecture/awards to pioneer a new vista of Igbo consciousness.

The award recipients, including the Director-general of the Standard organisation of Nigeria (SON), Joseph Odumodu, Dr. Leo Stan-Eke, Chairman, Zinox Technologies are being honoured for their contributions to national development.

May and Baker Plc, a pharmaceutical company, will also be honoured for medical advancement in Nigeria in the awards has 12 categories. (NAN)

•Photo shows Leo Stan Eke.

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