The chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof Obiora Okonkwo has cautioned the Igbo living in Lagos and other parts of the country to respect their hosts and not claim ownership of the places they ply their trade.
Okonkwo gave the advice in his remarks at the Annual All Markets Conference of Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association held in Lagos on Friday under the theme ‘Catalysing partnership with traders through innovation, technology, analytical and sustainability.’
He said the Igbo, as traders and business leaders, thrive in peaceful and accommodating environments and that it is only when the environment is welcoming and inviting that “we best express ourselves building new businesses and communities through self-help programmes and human capacity development.”
He said Lagos State welcomes the Igbo but it “does not in any way suggest that the land called Lagos (Eko) belongs to the Igbo.”
“Geographically, the Igbo people have their homelands and that is why the aku luo uno philosophy must also appeal to our hearts.
“So, I will implore our Igbo brothers living and operating in Lagos and in other states of the federation to always remember that ana enwe obodo enwe.
“While we live here, do business and make a living here, we should not in any way suggest that Lagos is a no man’s land. It is erroneous and insulting to think so.
“Archeology tells us that even in lands where civilization has supplanted races, there are still people referred to as original inhabitants to those lands.
“Therefore, good neighbourliness will only work for our good. We must therefore respect the laws of the land while making ourselves available to serve in any capacity the states invite us to.
“It is only when we respect the laws of the land that the land respects and appreciates us. It is always a reciprocal relationship,” he added.
Okonkwo said he and some other people are troubled by the occasional tirade between the Yoruba and Igbo in Lagos.
He said such tension “is not only unnecessary but also of no positive use for anyone to fan the embers of discord between the Yoruba and Igbo who have harmoniously co-existed in Lagos, along with other ethnic groups for well over a century.
He blamed the diatribe on crisis merchants who he said “are the only people who foster, revel in and benefit from such conflicts.
“We must rethink our association with them if we must maintain a decent relationship with our host communities.”
