The Igbos are known to be a  dexterous, industrious and resilient tribe because they have risen out of hunger and poverty to creativity and wealth after the Nigerian civil war. They are noted for their prolific trading and business acumen which takes them far and wide across the globe where they establish thriving businesses.

Such tendencies prompted the saying, “A land is unhabitable if no Igbo man is found there”. Unfortunately, the tendency of the Igbo man to find greener pastures abroad due to the harsh living conditions in Nigeria is equal to an abandonment of Igboland and its development. Over the years, the Igbo men have continued to increase the net worth of other cities in Nigeria as well as elsewhere, while neglecting to build a thriving business in the homeland.

These traits need to be curbed in the face of xenophobia against Ndi-Igbo and disenfranchisement from their fundamental human rights outside Igboland. If this trend continues, Igboland will become impoverished of amenities, and population. This will ultimately reduce the resource allocation Igbo states receive from the Federal government. In this regard, traditional chiefs and elders call on Ndi-Igbo to retrace their steps back home. Ndi-Igbo need to embrace the culture and traditions of Igbo-land as highlighted thus

1  Cultivate self and brotherly love: This is the only emotion that can retain the youth at home because building thriving businesses at home will provide more employment and engagement for the youthful population. It will also increase their self-esteem and worth, reduce political tension as well as boost economic growth.

2. Igbos must go back to the traditions of our fathers: these include having more children to increase the population of Igbos. Population increase requires men to either marry more wives or women to give birth to more children.

3. Cultivate respect for the rulers. It has been purported that in the presence of elders, the Igboman is the most unruly compared with other tribes, hence, the average Igbo man finds it difficult to be under the guidance of traditional rulers like chiefs, Ezes and Igwes. If Igbo men learn to respect, engage and encourage their traditional rulers, there will be more cohesive leadership in the grassroots communities. This is a key factor for progressive human development and economic growth.

4. Igbomen should allow women space to realize their God-given purposes; which are not just childbearing and home-making. The Igbo women should be allowed to lead as well, but, in a lesser capacity according to the cultures and traditions of our land. Women should also be allowed to receive an inheritance from their fathers.

5. Embracing Igbo cultures and traditions is far more essential for our survival than a borrowed religious way of life. Cultures/traditions that do not profit or protect the interest of the Ndi-Igbo must be discouraged and rejected.

Written by Uchechukwu Ekeoma, Obinwannem correspondent Abia state reporting – Obinwannem News 

Published by Ugwu Okechukwu (Obinwanne ndi Igbo)