Hence, Igbo traders permeated even the remotest regions of BiafraNigeria during the colonial era and present, bringing their brand of trading ingenuity, that unleashed commercial activity in BiafraNigeria.

Their success and dominance in this arena, no doubt has generated deep seated resentment and envy by others, which have led to disturbing widespread looting and destruction of property and lives, to the chagrin of those of us who wonder why the stubborn persistence of Igbo traders to remain in these “unwanted areas”.

The 21st century has presented us with a new marketing paradigm, that is not particularly centered on geographic location. We all acknowledge the power of the internet and ecommerce, but that is not even the thrust of this point of view.

For instance, rather than situating a business in Kafanchan, Kano, Jos etc., the Igbo business elite, by virtue of their acumen , should seek to arrange for exclusive contracts from their foreign trading partners, that gives them sole distribution rights of products in BiafraNigeria. Furthermore, they should relocate majority of their warehouse and businesses in Igbo land, which will compel prospective customers from BiafraNigeria to travel to Igbo territory to do business, either physically or by other technological means.

It’s amazing the number of business people who make numerous ill-advised and costly trips to places such as Europe, Taiwan and Hongkong, when a properly organized system will benefit from the economy of scale and effecient distribution.

This would result in creating several layers of Igbo middlemen, who will operate in Igbo land and thus attract customers from other areas in BiafraNigeria, and indeed Africa as a whole.
This will ensure that commerce will flourish and take root in Igbo land, thereby creating needed jobs, diversification, and more importantly, squelch the perpetual cycle of development and destruction, that have characterized the eventual victimization process of Igbo business endeavors.
This brings to mind a popular Yoruba saying, that “the thing we’re searching for in Sokoto, is right here in our Shokoto”

Great to read your post. Ndi'Igbo in the diaspora must work together to bring the further developed economic package/s to fruition.

There are several economic models avaliable to (and used by) nations under state-sponsored economic and political deprivation. The problem with us is quite simple, I think. And that is, we have refused to work together (sometimes without knowing it).

A respectable Umbrella-IGBO group operating in the diaspora should be supported despite our differences. Problems will arise, they always do. However, our responses to the problems that do arise will determine our maturity and real growth.

I am seriously proposing to every IGBO in the diaspora to fall behind a respectable Umbrella-IGBO group to PUSH through collectively issues such as the ones you have discussed.

To those of us who feel that acting collectively in the diaspora is not possible, there is an IGBO precedent. Remember, during the Biafra/Nigeria war, the vast majority of Ndi'Igbo in the diaspora worked together, pooled resources together and contributed in no small measure in saving many, many, many lives.

So when you hear the IGBO unity-bell ring next time, just rise to the occassion!

If we really want to build our nation-state, we must be dedicated, committed, honest and sincere in dealing with these material rivalries where we quarrel with ourselves, hate each other, made a natural scandal within the cause of our struggle.

I have no idea what part of Igboland you come from. But I would tell you one thing based on the meetings I've attended, so far. These meetings from my own experience ends up with nothing close to building community but to display who is who in Igboland.

Teddy talked about effecting commerce in Igboland based on a variety of strategies--from Igbos moving their respective businesses in Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Ibadan, Okitipupa, Benin City, Warri, Sapele, Maiduguri, etc.--on why Igbos are not establishing their bnusinesses in Igbolanbd so the Hausa-Fulanis, the Yorubas and the rest of the West African community would travel that distance paying their taxes to buy our products.

Teddy by the way, don't you think if our so-called Igbo elites had recognized this factor earlier, we would be making some progress in effecting change?

My take on this matter is a pragmatic one.
The 419ers will always remain with us, however, in an enlightened environment one can make it extremely costly for any 419 to operate so openly as they do in one-Nigeria.

We can begin by creating a level of enlightenment within the IGBO community in the diaspora and sooner or later, we will see the benefits.

Remember, human nature is not necessarily given to honesty and integrity. The conducive environment has to exist for these virtures to thrive. We must start by creating the necessary conducive environment for the finer virtures and higher thoughts to thrive.

As mentioned earlier, in this matter, I do adopt a pragmatic approach. I can't go into any great detail here, but there are risk management tools that will eliminate or at the very least reduce to the bearest minimum the 419ers risk factor in our business/economic activities.

Turning to the issue of "who is who" display in Igbo land. I am very concerned about this trend that seems to have come to stay. However, I do belong to a number of Igbo-organisations and must say that I am encouraged with what my generation is up to in the diaspora.

I agree that Igbo business men should come together and move into the 21st century. My solution though would be that they come together not to go buy consumer goods in Taiwan but to bring home those machines the Taiwanese use in manufacturing the goods they buy.
There is an urgent need for creation of employment in Igbo land. A nation of traders would not provide the opportunities our young people need, hence all attention must be directed towards increased productivity as opposed to importation from abroad.

AfricaWest

Good points, but untill we are able to put the ego's of the Igbo elite in check the diaspora would continue to roam like sheep without shepard. As noble as the intentions of any group may be, once the Phd's, JD's, LLM's MBA's etc. step in, you can kiss that organization goodbye. Then if you think the cabbie's are any better, just visit your local African restaurant or an Osadebe concert and see where their priorities are. I am affraid the cancer has spread deep into every Igbo gathering.

Thanks for your contribution, and noble idea for an Igbo umbrella community. One would think that given our 'sophistication', that we can put aside our petty differencies and squabbles for the good of our people.
Instead, some of us have regressed to individualistic aggrandisement, that has only discouraged the formation of a solidified Igbo community.

Amucha,

Your comments about the so called 419ers, is also the product of the above, and a total departure from the principal ingredients that used to qualify Igbo success from that of others, whose creed was the end justifying the means. To answer your question, ofcourse, the Igbo business elite could have recognized the opportunity in establishing business interest with Igbo land as the base.

Chiboy,
Your comments about the flimsy pre-occupation with academic qualifications, is also a sad commentary to the misuse and underutilization of Igbo resources to achieve the common good. Each one of us have something to contribute, and should not be readily dismissed. We are yet to understand that real power and control resides with he who can hire and fire. All you have to do is look around BiafraNigeria, and witness the facts.

There is enough land in the East to do business. With the mass return of Igbo business men and women there's no doubt that all parts of Igbo land will soon fully develop. With these developments the fight and survival of Biafra will be easier. We cannot have Biafra when our land is not fully developed to accomodate the entire population. Ndiigbo should open more businesses in Igbo land and other parts of Biafra like Akwaibom, Uyo, Calabar, Warri, etc.

B/4 you invite everybody to Biafra, I just wanted to post this quote FYI

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In another statement, the Military Governor of the South Eastern State, Col. U.J. Esuene, said that “the rebels false propaganda is fast collapsing, because the whole world is gradually understanding that South Easterners are not Ibo”.

For several years, he said, the South Easterners had lived with the Ibo and they were all along treated as second class citizens in the former Eastern Nigeria.

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It is important that we have this knowledge even today that the Awusa paople have bastized the former Eastern Region as we plan for Biafra.

Also from River State Students during the same period:

quote:

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, the Rivers State Students’ Union in Britain also warned all organs of information to desist from identifying the Rivers State and its people with Ojukwu’s dream empire, ‘Biafra’.

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