Uniting Lagos non-indigenes through cultural festival ­

He is the traditional ruler of his community, Etiti Mboko Umuanunu Ancient Kingdom in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. But, in Lagos State, he is the mayor of non-indigenes. His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr) Ngozi Israel Ibekwe (JP), is a household name among non-Yoruba speaking groups in the state, who he rallies together to protect and promote their interests.

As the leader of non-indigenes in the state, he leads all the South East groups and associations, all the South South groups and associations and all the Arewa (North) groups and associations, who brings under the umbrella, as the mayor of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Lagos State.

Under this platform, the association plans to hold its first cultural festival in Lagos at the National Stadium, Surulere, on November 30, a major event to mark the end of the year, before those who will travel to their home communities during for Christmas and End of Year festivities begin to do so.

Eze Ibekwe, on Monday November 3, hosted select journalists, to brief them on the coming cultural festival being powered by his association. At his office, in Ikeja, Lagos, representatives of the association from different groups in Niger Delta or South South, the Arewa including those from Middle Belt, and those from South East groups, were present to give colour to the event.

According to him, those powering the cultural festival are people from South East, South South and the Arewa (North) and others.

Speaking with the journalists, he says that as the Mayor of Non-Yoruba Speaking People in Lagos, it falls under his purview to ensure that the unity of non-indigenes prevails in Lagos and other states.

He explains that his association wants to use the festival “to tell the world that for once, non-indigenes in Lagos will come together to showcase their cultural heritage, the ways of life of the people, their foods, dances, etc. we are inviting the whole Nigeria to come and see what they have never seen before”.

On the aims and objectives of the festival, Ibekwe, explained that the association wants to use the opportunity to break the dichotomy that exists between the different peoples of Nigeria.

According to him, masquerades of all the cultures will appear in Lagos that day, while there will be speakers on the unity of the nation, adding: “It is high time Nigerians come together, believe in one another, be in peace. Nigeria has been in existence for over decades. We feel that by now, the country should be more united”.

To make the event a success, the monarch discloses that the association’s leadership has consulted leaders of the Arewa community, leaders of the South South and South East communities, market leaders and a host of others to ensure that the occasion stands the test of time. Also, he adds that all grassroots consultations with leaders of the different groups have been made and they have assured that they will be attending.

According to him, some of the cultural troupes that will grace the event, include the Ijele masquerade, the Mmanwu, the Ogenedancers, among others from the South East. From the Arewa, the Kakaki traditional group, the Koroba dancers, the Koso dancers from the Hausa/Fulani are expected. So, also the Angas dancers from Plateau State, Snake dancers from Benue State. The Arewa Community in the Catholic Church will also come with some cultural shows.

He also informs that arrangements are in top gear to bring the Kalagbari and Ikwere dancers from the Rivers State; the Ibibio and Efik dancers and cultural troupes from Edo State. From the Delta axis, dancing troupes from Iruekpen will be there. So also the Urhobo cultural dancers, and several other groups from the different peoples of Delta State.

In terms of food, he says there will be delicacies from the different parts of the country for people to taste. Also, there will be fashion show to depict the several traditional wears of Nigerians during the event.

Considering that this is a period of politicking for the 2015 general elections, Ibekwe informs that efforts are being made to ensure sure the festival is not hijacked by politicians. He however opines that it is also a proper ground for politicians to come and showcase themselves. For people to know how they plan to make Nigeria united.

He however says the association is not concerned about any particular party, although leaders of different parties are free to come and showcase their readiness for the 2015 elections, as the occasion is for people at the grassroots.

On arrangements being made to ensure adequate security and protection of lives at the event and to prevent it being hijacked by hoodlums and political thugs, Ibekwe discloses that the association has been in consultation with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police who has promised that the day will be free from rancour, stressing that “It is going to be a peaceful day as far as security is concerned”.

Since there are several Igbo groups and associations in Lagos, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Aka Ikenga, Igbo speaking People in Lagos, as well as trade groups, the mayor expresses optimism that they will all cooperate and register their presence and participation.

Hear him: “I believe all the Igbo associations and groups will be there. Majority of the leaders of the associations are with us at the Association of Non-Indigenes in Lagos of which I am the Mayor. The Non-Indigenes Association is the umbrella body covering all the associations in South South, South East and the Arewa.

Ibekwe also discloses that the festival will be a yearly event. To this end, he stressed, “Every November 30 has been set aside for the cultural festival in Lagos. It will be sustained by the stakeholders, with the assistance of the state governors.

“Therefore, I am using this opportunity to call on families in Lagos to come and witness the cultures of the various people. The event will be held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. It will be a total package and we are having the backing of several companies too.

“We have written to the Lagos State governor and the governors from South South, South East and Arewa states for their presence and support. Already fliers and posters have been released to sensitise the public. We know that it is not everybody that will travel home for Christmas. So, families should bring their children to the National Stadium in Lagos on November 30 for them to have a taste of the various Nigerian cultures”.

Ibekwe stresses that every non-Yoruba speaking people in Lagos is a non-indigene. He justifies this by saying that “When we die here, our bodies are conveyed to our home towns for burial. So, we must recognise the fact that we are non-indigenes here and unite ourselves as long as we live here. It is when we are united that we can make strong impact in the politics and social life of Lagos considering our population and contributions to the economy of the state”.

On other activities of the association, Ibekwe informs that it runs a free legal service for indigent non-indigenes in Lagos. He explains that it has been found out that many non-indigenes are not handy financially to pursue court cases, like tenancy cases with their landlords as well as Local Government issues. So, he decided to offer them free legal services. To this end he has a lawyer, Dan Onyeagu, who does that on his behalf as the Mayor of Non-Indigenes in Lagos.

He adds: “If someone needs a helping hand, he reaches out to us. The service has been in operation for over one year now and it has been working. Our people are enjoying it. The response has been high. It is for those who cannot pay for legal services and this brings a lot of intimidation and we see it as a way of helping such people. Indigent people are always afraid when they face such situations.

“But now, they have a place they can come to complain. All they need to do is come to the office at our office at No 20 Afariogun Street, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos to complain and they will be attended to. We have an arrangement with the lawyer for his services. That is the little I can do as the Mayor of Non-Indigenes in Lagos State.

On the plans of non-indigenes in Lagos towards the 2015 general elections, Ibekwe maintains that non-indigenes will be very important factor in 2015, even as he noted their contribution to the state economy.

He stresses: “Being the Mayor of Non-Indigenes in Lagos, we have mapped out plans in various organs to field candidates in various positions and parties, even at the Local Government areas. But, the problem is that non-indigenes are not cohesive enough. I am appealing to non-indigenes in Lagos to come together to have one voice to deliver our people and any party that recognises non-indigenes.

“I do not believe that we are not non-indigenes. We shall retire one day and our children will continue. Bodies of non-indigenes are taken home for burial when they die. Non-indigenes are marginalised in many areas. Whatever the government say are mere pronouncements.

“We want to take our destiny in our hands. Come 2015, non-indigenes will cooperate with any party that will give us key positions in the governance of the state. At this stage, we should be given our rights. I call on erring non-indigenes that are establishing associations here and there to put a stop to that so that we can put our axe together. Those establishing different associations of non-indigenes, their actions are null and void. No party should patronise them.

“We have some of our leaders in Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ndigbo Lagos, etc. They should come together and ensure that non-indigenes are not misled. We want people to stop establishing non-indigenes associations on party lines. Non-indigenes are one, under the Mayor of Non-Indigenes in Lagos, and that is me, Eze Ngozi Ibekwe.

“Irrespective of the party you are in, we should come together. There is no way all non-indigenes can be in one party, but we can be united. There is only one Mayor of Non-Indigenes in Lagos. Non-Indigenes Association under the Mayor was established in 2006 officially and we established chapters in all Local Governments with Coordinators. All the chapters are operating. Almost everyone in Lagos who is not a Yoruba is a non-indigene. We have to declare ourselves in this 2015 general elections”.

On whether Ndigbo in Lagos are getting their fair share of dividends of democracy in Lagos considering their population and contributions to the state’s economy, Ibekwe has this to say: “As far as I know, non-indigenes, especially Ndigbo, are not getting enough, considering their impute to the state economy, especially through their taxes. In EMPLOYMENT, it is zero. Non-indigenes are not getting much from the Lagos government, which they help to enthrone during elections. That is why we say non-indigenes should move out during voting and see if we can get a new government in power that will be sympathetic to non-indigenes”.

Source: dailyindependent