By Tido Lawal
The need for sustainable peace and development in Nsukka cultural zone of Enugu State took the centre stage during a colloquium hosted by Nkpokote Nsukka Forum held at Ikéngà Hotels, Nsukka, on Sunday.
The convener of the event, Barr Barth Ugwoke, made the call during the event with the theme, “Nkpokote Nsukka Philosophy: Mindset and Concept for Sustainable Development”.
He said such measure would further enhance the well-being of Nsukka people, stressing that unity among the people would engender peace, guarantee security as well as pave way for development.
Quoting him, “Many people have been worried that the concept of Ndi Nsukka ‘ikpokote onwe hé onu’ to pursue goals which will uplift the backward position Nsukka finds itself amongst the committee of her counterparts and contemporaries at state and national levels has become a commanding priority with a beckoning urgency of now.
“Having regard to our common ancestry, history and culture, and enjoying a contiguous habitation, we are positive that the critical first step to unifying our efficiencies for that greater strides is celebrating our special bond of inclusion and brotherhood. Nsukka is a zone with virtue and value that are universal in acknowledgments.
“Nkpokote Nsukka therefore envisions a forum that will galvanize the wide array of human, institutional, organizational and even diplomatic resources to rekindle the pride in our Nsukka cultural identity, and secondly, working for the progress of the people of the cultural zone in all spheres of life.
“We look with hope to the forging of a common front in breaking artificial barriers to our unity, individual and collective progress, while recognizing the inalienable rights of our brothers, sisters and groups in our midst to their choice of social-political associations based on their ideological and religious persuasions.”
The convener, who maintained that the forum is apolitical, said “Nkpokote Nsukka can be said to be Nsukka people coming together in one umbrella to brainstorm and chart the best way forward for themselves as a people”.
He stated the objectives of the forum to include pulling Nsukka people out of their different conclaves for greater strength and efficiency, preaching love and forgiveness among Nsukka people, as well as to place Nsukka interests first in all subject matters, and to encourage those who are championing the process already.
Prof Osita Ogbu, former chief economic adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, while delivering a lecture, urged the people of Nsukka cultural zone to jettison their political and religious differences and get along with each other to shape the future of the area politically and economically.
He stressed that the people must develop positive mindsets and should always take risks to break barriers as well as give good impression of themselves.
Dr Sally Aduku-Bolujoko, who delivered a lecture on “Women in Concept of Development; Nkpokote Nsukka in View”, said that unity was the only way Nsukka zone would achieve their desire.
Aduku-Bolujoko a former president, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and adviser to then President Goodluck Jonathan, identified lack of unity and timidity as one of the factors dragging the zone backward.
She urged the women of the zone to rise and showcase their potentials for the interest and development of the area.
In a remark, Senator Okay Ezea, representing Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said that he remained committed to any course to place Nsukka on its rightful position.
Ezea said that his doors were open for team work with other leaders of the zone in order to redeem Nsukka from its marginalized position.
Senator Chukwuka Utazi, the immediate past senator who represented Enugu North senatorial district, said that it was time for a true reconciliation that would lead the zone out of its present state of disintegration.
Hon Eugene Odoh, former speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, said that the forum’s objective was apt, adding that it would help in leadership accountability.
He appealed to Nsukka people to open their hearts and pardon leaders from the zone who “may not have met their expectations while in occupying offices”.
The founder of Maduka University, Ekwegbe-Nsukka, Dr Maduka Onyishi, said that it was good for brothers to commune together for the good of themselves, adding, “nobody should be afraid of attending programmes of Nkpokote Nsukka”.
He commended the organizers, urging that they increase their tempo in reaching out to all that matter in Nsukka to be part of forum.
