All is set for the 2013 Convention of the World Igbo Congress, with the leadership of P.G. Joe Nze Eto declaring that the event holding August 29-September 1 in Dallas, Texas, USA, would mark a turning point for the Igbo Nation.

The convention, according to a statement signed by Chairman Eto and Media Director, Dr. Acho Orabuchi, will not be a jamboree “but a forum to conduct serious Igbo business.”

Top on the agenda, according to the statement made available to News Express over the weekend, are “the Federal and State Governments’ deafening silence on the 50 plus dead bodies (of MASSOB members?) dumped at Ezu River in Anambra State and the recent unconstitutional and highly provocative repatriation of Igbo residents in Lagos State by the executive governor, Mr. Fashola.” Below is the text of the statement:

As Ndi-Igbo head to Dallas, Texas this Labor Day weekend, August 29-September 1, 2013 for this significant convention to deliberate on the affairs of Ndi-Igbo

This Convention is seminal and unique for the following reasons:

1. It marks the actualization of many resolutions reached at the 18th Convention in Orlando, Fl, in 2012.

2. It affirms this administration’s demonstration in Orlando that WIC Convention will no longer be viewed as a Jamboree by critics, but a forum to conduct serious Igbo business. The character of decision making Congress has changed in knowledge profile as well as attendee commitment to real and pragmatic social, political and economic changes within Igbo Community. The Congress will also evaluate Igbo impact in Nigeria’s polity and mutual inter-ethnic respect and co-existence.

3. The public humiliation of the Igbo due to post Civil War lack of unity and individual jostling for Igbo leadership has reached devastating proportions and must be addressed without further delay. The Federal and State Governments’ deafening silence on the 50 plus dead bodies (of MASSOB members?) dumped at Ezu River in Anambra State and the recent unconstitutional and highly provocative repatriation of Igbo residents in Lagos State by the executive governor, Mr. Fashola, guarantee a huge attendance of serious minded Igbo patriots for both open and closed door discussions on the Igbo Question. There is a point in a human or ethnic slide to brake or perish; that point is now for the Igbo in Nigeria. Any Igbo who thinks he has acquired enough of Cash wealth to ignore calls to discuss Igbo unity and a way forward for the Igbo in Nigeria, is wallowing in self deceit. Quorum for this discussion is guaranteed in Dallas, driven by the urgency to discuss solutions to rapidly emerging provoking attacks on the Igbo.

4. The 2015 election cycle in Nigeria is less than 24 months from now, and Dallas is the most ideal time frame and forum for any responsible Igbo wide group with capacity to discuss Igbo interests in that national election. Those Igbo individuals whose public position is that Igbo is not ready for Igbo presidency of Nigeria in 2015 have also unfortunately not publicly advised when they think Igbo will be ready to produce a Nigeria president. Diaspora Igbo position is that individuals should not sit at the comfort of their homes and speak for the Igbo. Dallas convention venue provides the forum to dialogue Igbo group interests in 2015. Money alone may no longer be the sole criterion to decide candidates and political alignments for the Igbo. It is really the South East’s turn to produce a president for Nigeria. The other ethnic groups will not give it to the Igbo on a ‘platter of gold’. We must work for it, and the time is now; further procrastination will only energize the overzealous opponents determined to stop the Igbo from access to leadership positions in Nigeria. There is no question of the 2015 presidential elections being discussed in Dallas. It is on the agenda with promising actionable resolutions.

5. For the first time in WIC convention history, WIC has formally invited other Igbo Diaspora Organizations: 100 Igbos, Inc., Igbo States Associations, Igbo World Assembly, Ekwenche, Aka Ikenga, PNF-USA, and Njiko Ndigbo. This capacity building strategy ensures a tangible, unified Igbo approach for all Igbo projects on the table. Please be in Dallas if you want to be part of the new paradigm in Igbo dignity. 6. Dallas will provide the first review of WIC accomplishments traceable to the WIC Seat at United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). You will be impressed!

The following specific projects will be highlighted in Dallas:

1. The Nigerian President of Igbo Ethnic Extraction (NPIEE). The agitation is real and can be felt in the hearts of every Igbo origin in the Diaspora. If it’s not NOW, when? If it’s not US, who? Where’re the equity, fairness, and justice? We’re a determined people!

2. One of the disturbing issues of the Igbo Question is the aloof character of today’s Igbo youths, and what appears to be a departure from the age-old Igbo culture of hard work, quest for knowledge and self pride. WIC Executive Council examined these trends and diagnosed lack of knowledge of history among today’s Igbo youths as part of the problem. To attend to this problem, this Convention will feature a colloquium on Igbo History led by Igbo History Professors. Congress is expected to resolve that Igbo History will be taught in all Igbo class rooms and all levels of academia, and made mandatory for graduation from Elementary and Secondary Schools in all Igbo States. Prof. Chima Korie leads the effort in acquiring materials and books required to execute this project.

3. The Proposed Regional Medical Center of Excellence (RMCE) as approved by Congress in Orlando, Fl, 2012 will feature a ground breaking ceremony. Thanks to the magnanimity of one of our state governments. This project now has a location easily accessible by road and air from any of SE and SS States. The Health Committee Chaired by Joe Nwilo, MD, Heart Surgeon, reports that it has assembled more than enough medical doctors to man the project on takeoff. The list includes mostly Igbo doctors, other Nigerian doctors, American and European doctors. Engr. Obi Thompson of Interstella Communications will provide Broad Band Internet Technology that facilitates real time consulting support for the doctors on ground from off shore locations. Prof. Pat Utomi leads the effort in identifying private investors in this PPP arrangement to ensure delivery and sustainability of this badly needed endeavor to help stem the exodus of seriously or terminally sick Nigerians who travel to India and other distant off shore locations where they mostly die. Help is on the way!

4. The Igbo family unit also stands accused in many analytical reports on what may have gone wrong in the Igbo nation. The WIC Women and Family Affairs Committee (WIC WFAC) under the chairmanship of Mrs. Chi Ezekwueche has defined a model ‘Boys and Girls Club’ to be launched at the Dallas Convention. This club will be open to membership for all students in all Secondary Schools in all Igbo States. WIC will design programs to inculcate discipline, moral standards and behavior pathways to become responsible young adults. These Clubs will compete for a monetized trophy redeemable annually, for a prize to be decided by Congress. Dr. Christian Mbamalu Ezekwueche has kindly provided the trophy for this initiative.

5. The Education Committee and the Women and Family Affairs Committee are jointly working on establishing ‘Women and family Institute’ in High Institutions in all the Igbo States. This initiative is pursuant to UN Millennium Development Goals for empowering women and families. Dr Ada Okika and Dr. Jeff Ohanaja are charged with driving this project. Congress is expected to authorize the execution of this initiative.

6. The Heavy Equipment and Spare Parts Manufacturing Project has remained a passion project for this administration. WIC Executive Council rightly approved this project in Orlando, as a necessary step in economic empowerment of our Homeland. This project has potentials for resuscitating the technical schools as well as badly needed handy men. It will readily provide jobs and produce spare parts for local use, and generate revenue through export sales to neighboring countries. Prof. Landon Onyebueke leads the effort to actualize this project.

Please endeavor to be in Dallas, TX for this convention. I am already encouraged by reports of “fully booked” hotel reservation at the venue. Turnout is heavy, and all roads should lead to Dallas, and for good reasons. We must get it done right at this time. The Igbo has a bad rap from our fellow Nigerians. We have given them cause to do it. It is time to build consensus on how to self correct. It is in our best interests to restore our dignity, The Igbo Dignity.

•Photo shows WIC Chairman, Joe Nze Eto.