By Adadainfo
Ohanaeze Ndigbo will launch a South-East University with specialisation in engineering, medicine, science and technology, and skills acquisition.
Ohanaeze’s Elders’ Council stated this weekend after the inaugural meeting of Ohanaeze Council of Business Leaders held in Abuja.
The communique was presented by the chairman of the council, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The communique read, “We have taken a decision that we are not going to depend on government again. We are going to take our destiny in our own palms by making sure that Igbo land is industrialised.
“We have carried out studies which revealed that in every field, if we work very hard without relying on government, since we know we have no one in power for now, we can develop our place.
“We have taken a decision to focus on education because it is actually the mainstay of our development.”
He regretted that old Eastern Region was already developed around 1960 in the sectors of education, industry and commerce, adding that, “And we think we are going to repeat that, because educational standards have gone down. We are determined today that we are going to change the narrative.
“We are setting up a committee on education that will look at education in Igbo land in the past as it is today and what we want in the future. The committee will come up with suggestions within a month.
“It is likely that when the committee comes up with its report, we are going to build a South-East University which will specialise in medicine, engineering, science and technology and skills acquisition.
“Because skills acquisition is very important today, so our people can acquire entrepreneurial skills. Igbos in the past reflected a history of a people who by the grace of God conquered many obstacles to occupy an exalted position in Nigeria by 1960 when the country got her independence.”
He recalled that after the war, Igbos were impoverished by the federal government’s policies, but they still recovered through their ingenuities.
He said, “We need to count our blessings, name them one by one and give thanks to God for His mercies.”
He said aside the university, exploration in agriculture, cement manufacturing, tiles, textile and ceramics production would b explored.
According to him, “We would have enough money to finance these projects with the financial and moral commitment and support of all.
“People who are well disposed can pay more and their contributions will be acknowledged. Members of the Council of Business Leaders will agree on membership registration fee.”
