Dons Charge Ikwerres On Culture, Politics

A Sociologist and lecturer at that Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS) Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Dr. Chinuogonum Chuku, has expressed sadness over the eroding culture of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, while an agricultural scientist, Prof. Bernard Onuegbu says they should play politics devoid of blackmail.

Dr. Chuku in his welcome remark as the chairman of the RIVCAS branch of the Ogbakor Ikwerre Socio-cultural Organisation Worldwide during their end of year get-together last Tuesday, at the college premises was not happy that Ikwerre language, wrestling and other aspects of Ikwerre culture were losing steam.

He therefore, appealed to the Ikwerre people not to throw away their identity, even as he commended the Ikwerres in Diaspora for identifying with their culture and tradition.

The Ogbakor Ikwerre leader in RIVCAS restated the contributions of the school to manpower development in the state hence, appealed to the state government to look towards the institution in terms of infrastructural facilities.

Prof. Onuegbu of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt in a lecture at the ceremony  entitled, ‘Partisan politics as a unifying factor in Ikwerre- land’ advised Ikwerre people to shun politics of blackmail and elimination of opponents.

Prof. Onuegbu, former commissioner  for Agriculture in the state who traced the involvement of Ikwerre people in Nigerian politics from the early 1960s enjoined them to support their kinsmen seeking elective positions and stressed that politics of elimination of opponents was product of military dictatorship.

 He recalled that Ikwerre sons had always identified with other Nigerians in the struggle for self-government dating from the formation of National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC) which later metamorphosed into National Council of Nigeria citizens (NCNC) including other political parties.

According to him, notable Ikwerre sons that brought the people into limelight in party politics were Chief Benson Wokne Alikor, Chief Marcus Tasie, Chief Wilson Obinna, Chief Nwogu etc who were customary court clerks and light of Ikwerre ethnic nationality.

“In the 1950s, late chief Jackson Mpi, Chief Amabibi Nsirim, Chief Michael Worikwo, Chief Silas Ebulu Otakpuo, Chief Emmanuel Orji and Chief I.S. Onwuchekwa and many other Ikwerre personalities joined party,” he emphasised.

He further stated that the interest of the people in determining their affairs led to the formation of a cultural organisation called Ikwerre State Assembly which operated as a check on the activities of the NCNC as well as the emancipation of Ikwerre ethnic nationality in Nigeria adding that the Assembly metamorphosed into Ogbakor Ikwerre.

Professor Onuegbu traced how the late Dr. Obi Wali resigned his appointment as a lecture in University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to challenge NCNC at House of Assembly as an independent candidate while Chief Nwobidike Nwanodi challenged one Mr. Elugusaronu, an Ibo man, who was fielded to represent Port Harcourt Federal Constituency in the 1964/65 elections.

The Provost of the school, Dr. Hillary Wordu commended the guest lecturer  and wished all a memorable yuletide.

Isaac Nwankwo & Catherine Cookey-Gam