It is common to read from comments of mostly Igbo commentators that Ndigbo do not speak with one voice.
Some say Ndigbo hate themselves others go further to opine that Ndigbo do not help themselves while many believe that Ndigbo are not United.
In this article, I want us to analyze the Igbo society and their modes of relationship, their ways of technical and and social relationship, their political perception and leadership assessment index.
The Igbo are a society of men and women with a perculiar system of relationship revolving around concentric opinion exchanges, mutual respect, common perception of opinions, generally, appreciative of selflessness and humility.
The Igbo do not bother with super personality but appreciate strong reliable personality.
A strong reliable personality enjoys almost cult followership as all take him with undoubted approbation.
He is almost worshipped as God.
Zikism ideology, is a typical example. We have had such persons in Igboland.
Such persons are Nnamdi Azikiwe, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, M I OKPARA, AKANU IBIAM and DENNIS OSADEBE.
These are men who led their people with proven altruism and as such, won undoubted trusts of the people.
The above mentioned people are prominent politicians, in the different communities there are men of integrity who were not very widely famous beyond their boundaries but enjoyed teeming following and unflinching trust . These happen because the people tried and trusted them due to their impeccable character.
In most igbo communities, prominent men of integrity are role models, people take them as mentors and send their children willingly to them to train for them.
Most traders who did well in certain types or lines of trade end up making that line of trade almost a culture.
Sir Louis Philip Odumegwu Ojukwu was an astute transporter, Nnewi eventually became the leading light in Transportation and haulage trade.
Most Lines of trade have different towns dominating them.
Mention one item of trade in Nigeria, you will see a town, clan or LGA reputed in such trade.
Igbos follow people of influence, especially positive influence.
Education follows the same trend, professions like Law has certain towns in Igboland dominating, Onitsha, Oguta and UmuhuOkabia have reasonable dominance in Law professions among other competitors.
Teaching and lecturing have Mbaise and Aguata area in Igboland dominating as professors.
The Igbo society do not celebrate a domineering personality but they celebrate influntial personalities.
A person known to bring about good things around his community. A person who influences empowerment, he who leads to areas of positive energy.
When a man discovers a profitable route and takes his kin along such a one naturally makes himself a leader.
In Igboland leadership is earned by act not by coercion. The people surrender or pander to the leaders authority.
The Igbo agree through consensus. The leader influences his opinion through positive engagement and persuasion. The engagement results in consensus which must be built across board and clans. No single individual dictates.
The socioeconomic perception of Ndigbo is most essentially, competition. To Ndigbo, competition is a way of survival. Survival of fittest throws to the fore, the heroes known among Ndigbo are referred to as DIKE.
These DIKES end up as leaders, they are respected based on their personal achievements and the resultant influences around them.
Nearly all markets in Nigeria, Africa and most recently in the world Ndigbo hold sway, it is not only by happenstance but also by cultural orchestration.
If one Judges Igbo by Nigerias political order, they will be seen as most discordant, but if you view them,or isolate them as a social group you will be convinced that are the most United and close knit group.
In Igboland the Fulani and Yoruba still appoint like the British, Warrant chiefs. They select social misfits, miscreants, empower them with pyrrhic influence and dirty money and pitch them against men of influence.
These are why you have thieves and crooks dominating the political space in mostly the Igbo states in Nigeria.
Ozodinobi Ukpor.
Pius Ujubuonu
The Interim National Secretary-General of Worldwide United Forum for Igbo Patriots & Aborigines-WUFIPA
