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COMMUNIQUE
OF THE FIRST JOINT MEETING OF WORLD IGBO CONGRESS, INC.,
ZUMUNTA ASSOCIATION
USA, INC., AND EGBE OMO YORUBA, NORTH AMERICA
ON THE STATE OF NIGERIA
Saturday, February 25, 2006, Tampa Florida. On Saturday, February 25, 2006,
the leadership of three Nigerian apex socio-cultural organizations in the
Diaspora – Zumunta Association USA, World Igbo Congress, Inc., and Egbe Omo
Yoruba, North America – met for the first time ever in Tampa, Florida, USA.
At the meeting, Egbe Omo Yoruba,
North America was represented by the National President Adeola Odusanya, the
National General Secretary, Oladapo Odunlami, the past President and Ex-officio
member of the Executive, Dr. Olu Otubusin and Professor Bolaji Aluko, a member.
World Igbo Congress delegation included the Chairman, Ichie Chibuzo E.
Onwuchekwe, P.E., the Vice Chairman, Mr. Joseph Nzepuome, the Secretary General,
Attorney Charles C. Chikezie, and Dr. Louis O. Okonkwo, a member of WIC Board of
Directors. Zumunta, USA was represented by the National President, Dr. Mohammed
Ladan, and the National General Secretary, Dr. Ezekiel Macham.
The groups had a good spirited
daylong dialogue on a litany of issues facing Nigeria and resolved on a position
statement on the way forward for their country. The issues discussed and the
proposed action plan include:
UNITY OF PURPOSE AS NIGERIANS:
We agree on the need for a unity of purpose and concerted agenda as Nigerians in
the Diaspora on issues affecting our country. We agree to speak with one voice
and not to allow detractors to come between us.
CURRENT EFFORT TO AMEND NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION,
AND MOVES TO PERMIT A THIRD TERM OR EXTENSION FOR THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION:
While we recognize the constitutional authority of the legislative arm of the
government to amend the Constitution within the parameters of the Constitution
itself, we view with serious suspicion and hence, unequivocally reject any
attempts by the Nigerian Legislature to amend the Nigerian Constitution at this
late hour of the current administration, believing strongly that it is a pretext
to unconstitutionally extend the present administration
