PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
ADDRESS
BY
SENATOR ANYIM PIUS ANYIM GCON
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE,
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
ON THE OCCASION OF A CIVIC RECEPTION IN MY HONOUR BY
THE IGBO COMMUNITY IN LAGOS ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2,
2001 AT THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR COMPLEX. MINI
STADIUM. BADAGRY EXPRESSWAY. LAGOS.
PROTOCOL
May I place on record my profound gratitude to the organizers of this historic event. I recall that since I was elected President of the Senate for over a year ago, I had shied away from putting up myself forward for event of this nature. However, when in recent times several Igbo organizations based in Lagos sent me notifications of their intention to have a reception in my honour.
I had cause to revisit the matter. I consulted widely, particularly with my wife, my constituency, my colleagues in the National Assembly, elders of our great party, my kinsmen, professional colleagues, Associates, well wishers etc. etc. Granted that Enugu, the capital of the present Enugu State, remain the symbolic political capital of the Igbos, it is a common knowledge that Lagos is the melting point of Nigeria.
In other words, Lagos represents a collection of all nationalities. And with respect
to Ndigbo, it has become a home to the crème of its sons and daughters. On account of all these considerations, it was overwhelmingly agreed that the Lagos reception is auspicious and represent the collective desire of Ndigbo. But, another major task was persuading the various interest groups of Igbo origin to work together and present a common programme for today’s event. Eventually that was also achieved. Permit me therefore to acknowledge the unique achievement of today’s event.
That is the spirit of togetherness demonstrated by Ndigbo over today’s event to achieve a common objective. I salute the accommodating spirit of leaders of the
various Igbo socio-cultural organizations, town unions, business magnets and captains of industries for their sundry sacrifices to ensure that today’s event is a reality.
As our elders will say, “Jide nu kaunu ji”. I believe, today’s event does not call for much speech making, but rather present a rare opportunity for unrestrained interaction and show-casing of the rich Igbo cultural heritage and time tested core values.
In furtherance of that belief, I shall refrain from re-echoing the sing-song of
marginalisation and what have you. I will rather associate myself with the emerging school of thought amongst some Igbo elites that most often we are unfair to ourselves in assessing Igbo successes, achievements and accomplishment within and outside Nigeria.
On that account, my brothers and sisters, I propose that Ndigbo going forward should; while learning to adjust certain aspects of our way of life, make conscious efforts to reawaken as well as propagate those positive attributes that stands us out as Ndigbo. And these are our enterprising endeavours, our technologically driven spirit, our survival attitude against great odds, our belief in one Nigeria and our abiding faith in God Almighty.
I hope that today is going to mark a departure from the past Today’s gathering, I believe is a celebration of the unflinching commitment of Ndigbo as a people to the oneness, indivisibility and stability of Nigeria. Today’s event I believe also, is a demonstration of our spiritual connection with our host community and other nationalities resident in Lagos in pursuit of a common and shared destiny within the Nigerian Federation.
Let me reiterate, that the driving force of our contemporary socio-political interactions and activities are informed by national interest, national stability, national progress and development, anchored on consultation, consensus and compromise.
These are some of the considerations that have informed most decisions, policies and deliberations of the National Assembly and particularly the Senate, of which I am the presiding officer. As a result of this approach, the Senate under my leadership have achieved amongst other things restoration of sense of mission and stability in the upper house, cohesion amongst the Senators irrespective of party inning, collectivist leadership, fiscal empowerment of the committees,” mutual respect amongst the Senators as peers.
We have equally, exercised our constitutional functions of oversight in sundry matters, few of them may just be worthy of mention namely; NNPC accounts review, MV Trainer probe, West African Examination Council (WAC) retrogressive policy, the NEPA N2.3 billion fund etc. Similarly, the Senate has shown keen interest in legislative reforms that will further provide the enabling environment for safeguarding our nascent democracy as well as guarantee democracy dividend for the good people of Nigeria.
My dear distinguished audience, permit me to restate that the politics of our time tends towards globalisation grounded on ideas and solid principles. Nigeria indeed is not an exception. The emphasis now is a universal concept of justice, fairness, equity, freedom, responsible and accountable leadership, regard to human life, private sector driven economy and above all fear of God.
Significantly, the Igbos are more than naturally endowed for active role in the present global mood. However, to effectively position ourselves for optimum result, there is need for concerted effort at restructuring and re-engineering ourselves politically, socially and economically to reflect the new thinking. We need to adjust our atomistic tendencies to embrace collectivist approach with a long time agenda.
This I believe will earn Ndigbo formidable position/roles in politics, commerce, arts, education, technological advancement e.t.c. Indeed, a careful look at the on-going
privatisation exercise, shows that Igbos have not fared well despite their intimidating exploits in trade and commerce. The reason may not be unconnected with their ultra individualistic disposition.
Accordingly, urge Ndigbo to begin to work in concert amongst themselves and with others with exemplary integrity, honesty and creditability in pursuit of their
legitimate endeavours. This will certainly improve their stake in the Nations socio-political and economic activities. After all our elders have these common saying: Onye aghala nwanne ya and Igwe bu ike.
The proverbial single broom will always break at the slightest force in contrast to the bunch of broom that always resist successfully applied force. Our survival, our progress, our well-being, our advancement and our collective shared destiny will certainly be fortified and secured by the bunch of broom option.
Once again, I thank the organisers and the various Igbo town unions and organizations for your untiring efforts to create the needed platform for Ndigbo to meet, interact, socialize and enlighten themselves. Your Excellencies, distinguished Senators, Honorable Representatives, Honourable Ministers, Royal Fathers, respected elders, Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very much for your time and resources committed in honouring my humble self today.
I pray God in his infinite mercies will reward each and every one of you for your labour of love. Ndigbo ndewo nu o.