By Ori Martins 


It was quite exciting seeing my people from all walks of life streaming into the Igbo country during the 2023 Christmas and New Year celebrations. 


All the way from May 29, 2023 when Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu took oath of office as Nigeria's president, the country started experiencing economic stagnation, political confusion as well as social disorder. 


Obviously following an orchestrated plot to maliciously send Ndigbo to an eternal hell on earth, the oligarchy in Abuja and Lagos employed the colonial style of demolition to stifle Igbo businesses. 


Within those intervening periods, it was absolutely devastating watching billions of naira Igbo investments go down in utter ruination in Abuja and Lagos even with a threat of worse destruction against Igbo businessmen, traders, investors and artisans in two elite cities clearly built and established by Ndigbo's forebearers. 


Recall vividly that the idea of One Nigeria was coined and practically executed to its logical conclusion by an Igbo ward - Zik of Africa and Nigeria's greatest political evangelist who led the country to independence. 


Six years after independence, Ndigbo faced  total anihilation from Nigeria which led to a brutal civil war in which about two million Igbo were bombed to death. 


From the ashes of that civil war, Ndigbo resurrected, became stronger, bigger and better in all ramifications. This caused envy and rejection by other Nigerians. They could not take it why Enugu Rangers emerged Nigeria's and African champions just few years after the war. Nigerians of other ethnic nationalities wondered why in 1979, nine years after the war, an Igbo, Alex Ekwueme, was the deputy president. Yet, the coup of 1983 was staged to stop Ekwueme's 1987 presidential ambition because he was Igbo. 


Therefore the memories of 1966 Igbo massacre, three years ruthlessness against Ndigbo in the guise of civil war, truncating the Second Republic through the 1983 coup simply because an Igbo would have been voted into power in 1987, and now, the socioeconomic blockade perpetrated against Ndigbo in Lagos and Abuja dramatically albeit sensationally confirm anti Igbo inclinations. 


And this is why I was full of joy and happiness when virtually all my friends, colleagues and close family relatives jived in droves into the Igbo nation last December. Some boarded flights which was almost N200, 000k, others arrived via public transportation which was N50, 000k on the average, while there were those who drove into town in their vehicles. 


In spite of the huge transportation fares, Ndigbo who breezed in and those at home observed the annual Christmas ritual with pride, pomp and pageantry. Besides the fetes, both those in Diaspora and the home people were involved in town hall meetings where sensitive aa well as critical issues concerning Igbo's communities in all the states were discussed. 


Remarkably, one significant point with all its symbolic highlights must be brought to the public space. In almost all the wards in the Igbo country, in demostration of the philosophy of "Onye aghala neanne ya" (be your brother's keeper), the rich contributed fabulously  and meaningfully donated to the poor. 


A visit to the Igbo states last Christmas would reveal a people well united despite their many troubles. There were cultural dances of multiple dimensions. There were football competitions. There were lunchings meant for community development. 


Most importantly, people moved and mixed freely, beholding majestic buildings, beautiful shops, parks and sparkling business centres and promises, including three star hotels and other entrainment outlets. 


Indeed, Ndigbo love enjoyment and good living hence we still patiently await "our own turn" because the concept of "kemnoechem" guarantees that a patient dog eats the fastest bone. Abraham had his son Isaac at about 100 years and he became the father of all nations. Kanu Nwankwo in 2001, came off the bench in the 2002 World Cup qualifier against Liberia, in Port Harcourt, got an assist, volleyed in the second goal and ultimately was voted Man of the Match! 


Yes! Nkemnoechem.