Kriss Akabusi's Blog

Nze K D Akabusi MBE Inaugural Chairman Address Osuh Welfare and Progressive Union

Dated 18^th April 2010

Picture Left Zik of Afrika

Osuh, Kwenu!! Osuh Kwenu!! Osuh Kweuzo nu Iseee!!

My fellow Osuh citizens I did not seek to be Chairman of this association and in accepting the position it is not for my own personal aggrandisement. It is an honour to be asked to lead the organisation and I am grateful for the trust you have bestowed upon me this day. I am aware every institution has a genesis and there for I am mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors and I am privileged to partner with you in leaving a legacy for our posterity. I thank our immediate past Chairman Pastor Theodore Onyebuenyi for his part in history, his selfless service to our union, as well as the generosity in his desire to be a co-operative spirit throughout this transition.

We Igbo’s are a proud people who contrary to popular legend have had phenomenal leaders.

I think of Olaudah Equiano the Igbo slave boy sold to Europe and America yet fought his way from slavery to be a major voice in the British Abolitionist Movement and he was instrumental in the settlement of African slaves in Sierra Leone. With his writings and books he became the greatest African writer between 1789 to 1889.

There is Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe usually referred to as “Zik“, a Giant in Africa throughout the 20^th century who through his writings as a journalist wrestled with our colonial masters and eloquently led his people free, Nigeria gaining independence 1^st October 1960 and he becoming the first President of Nigeria holding the position throughout the First Nigerian Republic October 1, 1963 – January 16, 1966.

Then of course there is Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu the great Ikemba who although a nationalist by nature could not stand by and watch the slaughtering of his kith and kin in the North of Nigeria and led his people so gallantly from 1967 to 1970 thorough out the Biafran civil war.

Igbo’s have always had good Leadership qualities and the Igbo nation was always eager to advance them-selves being pioneers in many areas with a respect for tradition, culture, education and each other but a series of events in our history from slavery, colonialism, to civil war has truncated the smooth transition of an advance polity and society. At the end of the civil war the “theme no victor no vanquished” proved hollow as we find ourselves marginalised in the country of our origin and fragmented throughout the Diaspora.

But as Ndigbo we have played our own part in the demise of our great heritage. It seems we find it easier to fight amongst ourselves than to wrestle for the rights of our children. We find it hard to support our leaders countless times choosing to pull them down as opposed to lifting them up; unfortunately such activities have been played out amongst Osuh. It is always easier to tear things apart than to hold things together, to disrupt and destroy instead of create and to nurture.

Enough is enough Umunnem, let us find a better way it is time for us in biblical parlance to “put away childish things”.

Nwanne Di Na Mba?  Let us live our motto and band together as kith and kin living in another place, with a desire and commitment to cooperate and help ourselves. Great Osuh people it is the 21^st century, let us lead by example, and embrace the qualities of Equiano, Zik and Ikemba, in order that we can leave a legacy that our children will be proud of. Let us choose on this day, hope over fear, and unity of purpose over conflict. Let us this day proclaim an end to the petty grievances, recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our people The time has come for us to get back on track with our ancestors; to choose our better history; so as to carry forward and pass it on from generation to generation.

I have a dream that young Osuh born in this century will come to an association and progressive union that is the custodian of culture, language and best practice. It will be a place where Igbo’s come together to know themselves and support one another on the journey from everlasting to everlasting. In that dispensation a united front means that we can tap into resources from within our number as well as the wider community of the Diaspora and not forgetting this wonderful host nation the United Kingdom to benefit our people in Nigeria. I see active youth wing 25-40years old that feeds in regularly to the activities and development of Osuh Union, there will be festivities, cultural events, language classes and Osuh a shining example of the ingenuity of the Igbo nation, forward thinking, striving and achieving. But this is a dream a dream that will remain in the ether unless a group of people in our time can get together, agree, hold fast and take action, massive action. Will you come with me on this journey and lay the foundations for our posterity. Will you take up the mantel from our ancestors and be the guardians of their dreams for our children?

It will not be easy, it does require, our best effort and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds, and to believe that together with God’s help, we can and will resolve our issues and do great things.

God bless you Osuh, God Bless Ndigbo, God Bless Nigeria.

Thank you.

Nze K. D. Akabusi MBE