Archbishop Chukwuma Uncovers Why Ndigbo Are Extremely Marginalised In Nigeria

The Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, on Wednesday pointed out that the South-East is suffering extreme marginalisation in Nigeria as a result of a shambolic leadership which has thrown up self-centred persons not trusted by their supposed followers.

The Bishop, who spoke at his court in Enugu while privately marking his 30th anniversary as Bishop, asserted that not until Ndigbo trust themselves and bring out somebody as their leader and trust him and he himself will know that a trust has been bestowed on him, no progress can be made by the people.

He challenged National Assembly members of Igbo extraction to come together with one voice and fight for a common cause to move Ndigbo forward.

“The Igbo leadership is in shambles, they have not shown good leadership in the sense that this is the only area where people don’t appreciate leadership. We don’t have respect for the elders.

“The Hausa and Yoruba will have a leader and follow their leaders but Igbo, it’s difficult to really get a leader to follow because either followers don’t have the trust or the leaders themselves are self-centered and selfish. That is the problem.

“Until we are able to trust ourselves and bring out somebody who is a leader and trust him and he himself knows that a trust has been bestowed on him and try to be firm and sincere, we cannot move forward. Look at the politicians from the southeast who called themselves leaders, they have never come together to discuss about southeast and together fight for it.

“They are speaking individually. They don’t even come to their constituency to ask questions. Many of us don’t even know them or see a House of Reps member coming to address us. It’s a shame.

“I glorify God today because I have legacies which I will be remembered with. I built a cathedral and bishop’s court in Bauchi and Enugu States respectively. I built St. Peter Cathedral in Gombe, hospitals and schools.

“I had a serious challenge when I was in Bauchi, when my church and parish house were burnt down by mobs. My security man was killed and many other properties were destroyed. That was when I started building a cathedral and bishop’s court at the same time because I was living in a rented house. It was a very great task on me but with the help of Gen. Danjuma, Gen. Useni and many of the Christian generals in the Army, I was able to accomplish it.

“In 1998, I was transferred to Enugu and was able get myself through from the conspiracy and challenges of achieving success by building a Bishop’s court, a cathedral and a congregation school “Bethel” at colliery quarters and created 12 Diocese which are under me,” Chukwuma said.