Do you still need evidence of Igbo Marginalization?

Look closely at these images taken yesterday from Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu. 

Four Governors; Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Theodore Orji (Abia), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) and Peter Obi (Anambra), were there. 

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, led other government appointees from the South East zone, including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Finance Minister), Prof Chinedu Nebo (Power), Chukwuemeka Wogu (Labour and Productivity), and Stella Oduah (Aviation).

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, led the crème of the National Assembly members to the venue.

"THE thunderous jubilation and praises from the enthusiastic crowd that gathered Saturday was enough to herald the commencement of international commercial flights at the remodeled Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

"Indeed, the sea of human heads that defied security arrangements, as they surged forward to witness the landing of the first Ethiopian aircraft at the airport, signified the end of many years of waiting and unfulfilled promises, by successive governments, of an international airport for the south east geo political zone.

And to underscore the importance of an international airport to the South East Zone, all their political leaders, business and captains of industry came out in their numbers to witness the historic ceremony and landing of the international flight."-Guardian Newspaper

Tell me where else in Nigeria the people will celebrate an international flight landing at an airport like this? After 53 years of independence? Why wasn't Enugu designated and expanded for international flight since Lagos, PH, Kano, Calabar etc were similarly designated? The answer is called state sponsored/condoned conspiracy and MARGINALIZATION OF NDIGBO.

With gratitude to God and humility of heart, I wish to express my profound thanks to HE President Goodluck Jonathan. We appreciate sir.

Soon, as we hope, 2nd Niger Bridge will be commissioned by Mr President to the glory of God. Then we will dig up that title called "Nwanne Di Na Mba" and put on your deserving head. And then we will adopt your enemies as our enemies and your friends as our friends. Please let JB hasten things up. Doesn't matter whether called PPP or OPP, we want the bridge. 2015 is too close for comfort.

For those who can't understand why Igbo "stupidly" supported Jonathan instead of their "messiah" permit me to inform you that your messiah was among those who lead this country for 53 years and NEVER deemed it equitable for Enugu Airport to designated and upgraded to an international airport. That makes him one of the conspirators against Ndigbo. E no go better for am.

Let all the people of the South East, SSouth and Benue state take advantage of the new international flight facility at Enugu. I suspect that the 4 flights per week by Ethiopian Airline will not even be enough for Onitsha and Aba traders going to China, Dubai and South Africa. Others connecting to America and Europe should note that they can fly from Enugu to any part of the world. Ask your travel agent today.

It will also be good for major embassies to consider opening consulates at Enugu to reduce the cost and risk of travelling to Lagos and Abuja to obtain or renew visas. For some like the UK Home office, an application collection centre at Enugu will effectively take care of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, CRS, S SE states, Delta and Benue state.

The major roads connecting the Airport from Aba and Onitsha should immediately be rehabilitated for ease of movement. Where the Federal Govt for whatever reason is not forthcoming, the
State governors should use our money and work their ends of the road. Even without expectation of a refund. The expected boost in the economy of the region and surrounding states will be enough to offset the cost in the long run.

The most critical of the roads requiring urgent attention will be Onitsha-Enugu and Aba-Ikot Ekpene Roads. Others are in relative good conditions or undergoing improvement

Unobstructive security with optimal combination of technology and "muscle' should be provided along the routes to the airport. Any state that requires technology based security can ask me for help and support. 

The security men should also be dissuaded from extorting money from travellers on those routes through monitoring and control by the IG of police and his Military counterparts. Even within the Airport, immigration, NDLEA, Customes etc should be monitored closely and regularly before they kill the airport project. Traders will resort to any airport that offers them least harassment. That's why many prefer to travel from Abuja Airport as against Lagos. Make Enugu Airport a real SERVICOM model not just "sloganeering" as obtains in Lagos MM International. For once let things work as taken for granted elsewhere.

The opportunities provided by Akanu Ibiam International Airport are enormous and a massive shot has been given to SE states in the arm. Let world class real estate projects begin to emerge at Enugu, Abakaliki and Awka. Borrowing a leaf from the success of Shoprite Enugu, it is time for Umuahia, Owerri and Awka to have their own "shopprite" and supporting hotel and tourism infrastructure. We must be able to rediscover our palm based agricultural superiority while at the same time competing efficiently in new services, products and technology driven economic boom. To hell with crude oil and it's curse. 

God Bless President Goodluck Jonathan and may the tears of joy that flooded my eyes as the white coloured Boeing 737 -800 Ethiopian aircraft, with registration number ET-APL lifted off signpost economic recovery for the South East states and create jobs to remove kidnappers and sundry criminals from our states.

Nigeria might yet become better.....

By John Okiyi Kalu