Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has charged the Igbo people to prioritise the collective interest of the tribe above their individual differences in order to achieve a more prosperous future for the Igbo nation.
He gave the charge on Tuesday in Umuahia during the Igbo Day celebration.
Speaking on the theme, “Ohanaeze: History and the Dreams of Tomorrow,” Governor Otti said the courage, resilience, enterprise and communal values inherited from Igbo ancestors remain critical to the progress of the people.
The governor stressed that Ndigbo can sometimes disagree on certain issues but still remain committed to their shared aspirations.
“Unity does not mean unanimity of opinion on every issue, but a consciousness that our individual desires cannot be superior to the aspirations of the majority,” Governor Otti stated.
In his remarks, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Azuta-Mbata, said Ndigbo must interrogate and define the future they want for themselves and for Nigeria.
He emphasised that a cohesive front is required for Ndigbo to take their rightful place in Nigeria and the world.
“Our people must bind together. We must deliberately move together so that we can take our rightful place in Nigeria and the world,” the Ohanaeze president said.
Mbata, who joined Governor Alex Otti in laying a wreath in remembrance of fallen Igbo, regretted that the 1967–1970 Civil War claimed more than three million lives of Igbos from different families.
Make collective interests major priority – Gov Otti tells Igbos