IGBOS ARE THE ARCHITECTS OF THEIR PROBLEMS: DR RAMAS ASUZU

One of the most respected statesmen the East of the Niger, a Biafran War Veteran, a close friend and confidant of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a fierce spiritualist and philanthropist extra-ordinaire, Dr. Prophet Ramas Okoye Asuzu (Ezoba Akajiofor gburugburu) has identified the egalitarian nature of the average Igbo man as being the fundamental stumbling block towards achieving self and regional emancipation. He disclosed this at his palatial palace/temple in the heart of Nri, Anaocha LGA of Anambra State when one of our correspondence paid him a courtesy visit.

In his words: ＂the Igbos do not value what they have, everybody is enmeshed in the rat race for money and people have neglected the roles of traditional institutions in providing guidance and direction to the younger generation. money is not everything＂

He also chided some Igbo leaders whom he accused of abandoning their responsibilities as role models to the youths and failing to provide the necessary leadership required for the socio economical cum socio-political development of the region. He said that by failing to invest in the South East, Igbo elites are accomplices in the economic/political strangulation of the region. ＂See let me tell you, any investment outside the South East is a waste. Go to Lagos, go to Port-harcourt, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and even Maiduguri and you will quiver at the sheer size and magnitude of Igbo Investment in those places while over hear, we have well-educated young men and women roaming the streets of Onitsha, Aba, Owerri and Enugu for lack of gainful employment. Some of them have resorted to the 'Okada' and 'Keke' business just to survive. This should not be so, as i honestly think that the Igbos have the capacity to alleviate this situation inspite of the indifference and bias by the Federal Government. The Igbos have a common saying:＂Akuluono o kwuo onye kpatalu ya＂. The time to think home is now, Igbos all around the world must close ranks and unite to pull the region out of the socio-economic/socio-political quagmire＂.

On the just concluded gubernatorial election in the State, the vibrant Prophet who had earlier before the elections, predicted victory for the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was grateful to God and Anambarians especially the people of Anaocha L.G.A for defying the odds to ensure a hitch-free election. He recounted the active role he played in the victory of APGA saying: ＂I invested over 50 million naira in cash and deployed all my political structures in all the 21 L.G.As of the State to facilitate Obiano's victory. I did all these without ever demanding or getting a kobo from either the candidate or the Party. My only motivation was the survival of APGA which i consider the only Igbo party in Nigeria".

Speaking on his expectations from the Governor-elect, he says now that the elections have come and gone, he expects the State Government to as a matter of urgency address the issue of youth unemployment, as a society that neglects her youths, neglects her future. Government must create policies and programmes that will engage the youths positively and take them off the streets. He also advice Obiano to run an all-inclusive Government that will accommodate the interests of all Anambrarians irrespective of their clans.

On his message for opposition parties in the State, Dr. Ramas said opposition is good for politics as it puts the sitting Government under pressure to deliver. He however warned political parties against playing the politics of bitterness and acrimony. Citing an example where a former two-term governor of the State was alleged to have openly burnt a memorabilia of Late Odumegwu Ojukwu. A man he said almost single handedly brought that same former Governor to power. He said such acts are sacrilegious and capable of destroying one's political fortunes especially in the south east given the emotional attachment the Igbos have for the late Ikemba Nnewi.

On the death of Nigeria's former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, he condoled with the family and prayed for the repose of His soul. He reminisced on how himself, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and the likes of Dr. Ken Mbadiwe and Joseph Wayas all played leading roles in the defunct NPN. He said death is an inevitable end and that people should instead be more worried about what they would be remembered for when they are no more.

          Throne of Dr. Ramas Asuzu (Ezeoba akajiofor gburugburu)

                   Snippet of the Temple of the Absolute God