ALAIGBO DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION  (ADF) is a registered Non-Governmental Organization of Igbo Intelligentsia, Elders, Clergy, Patriotic public figures, Women and Youth, both at home and abroad, with the main objective of protecting and ensuring the survival of Ndigbo, their Culture and Civilization as well as the development of  Igbo-land.  It was established following the International Colloquium on the Igbo Question in Nigeria held in Enugu on the 11th – 14th, March, 2014.

Background

The International Colloquium itself was conceived in the light of the persistent socio-political situation in the Nigerian Federation which has continued to fuel international and national debate over her future, and in the light of the enormous challenges facing Ndigbo both in Nigeria and in the contemporary world. The absence of internal cohesion and national focus within Igbo-land as well as the extreme physical and political vulnerability of her citizens made the International Colloquium a timely and urgent wake-up call.  

The Colloquium was indeed a major global event that attracted many of the best minds in the Igbo nation, many of whom came from the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, South Africa, Ghana, etc. For three days, the well-over two thousand, five hundred (2,500) Igbo sons and daughters deliberated over the persistent century-old predicament of Ndigbo in Nigeria, over which all and sundry in Igbo-land, youths and elders, men and women, at home and in the Diaspora, keep groaning day after day, month after month, year after year.

The participants intensely examined ways and means of overcoming such persistent Igbo predicament so that her citizens can live a life of dignity and self-confidence, co-exist and live at peace with their neighbors, capable of protecting their lives as well as their collective and individual interests, apply their God-given talents and endowments for the betterment of themselves and the entire human race, do honor to the spirit of their ancestors and serve their God without let or hindrance.

Ndigbo in History.  

Issues examined at the three-day event ranged from Ndigbo in Pre-history, the

Colonial era, the First Republic up to the Nigeria/Biafra War as well as events since the end of the war.

 The universality, richness and complexity of Igbo culture and civilization have been recorded in various global literatures. The appeal of Chinua Achebe’s epic novel, Things Fall Apart, does not lie in Achebe’s literary genius alone; it lies also in the fact that in the Igbo culture depicted in the novel, every other nation – from the Chinese, the Russians, Japanese, the Australians, Europeans, to the Americans, and most other nationalities in Africa – finds traces of its own ancient culture and civilization.

In the life and works of Olaudah Equiano, the Igbo ex-slave and a noted abolitionist in 18th century Britain, the freedom-fighter spirit and character of Igbos are evident. In the life and struggles of King Jaja, the founder of Opobo Kingdom in the Niger Delta, it is the same. The 1929 Oloko Women’s’ Tax Resistance that rapidly spread beyond Igbo-land to their neighbors in Ibibio-land, Efik-land and Ijaw-land, (and which the British dubbed the “Aba Women’s riot”) manifested the same unquenchable thirst for freedom that has remained a hallmark of Ndigbo.

The price Ndigbo have been made to pay for their audacity in the role they played in Nigeria’s independence struggles has ranged from deliberate exclusion from effective participation in the government of the Nigerian Federation to a conspiracy to antagonize them with their neighbors in the Nigerian Federation, resulting in a series of massacre and brutal repression including the pogroms and genocidal war of 1967-1970  and the years after. Ndigbo were initially the greatest targets of the Boko Haram terrorist attacks and bombings in the Northern parts of Nigeria. Many of those victims have returned to Igbo-land with hardly government or agency caring for their predicament.

Issues

 The participants extensively x-rayed critical issues that influence the socio-economic, political and cultural conditions and development in Igbo-land. They discussed issues of Politics, Governance; Self-determination and Internal Autonomy; Economics, Commerce and Industry; Infrastructure, Agriculture and Natural Resources; Education, Science and Technology; Security, National Character, the International System; Media, IT and Communications; Language and Culture; Women, Youth, Children and Health; etc. Issues relating to the 2014 National Conference of the Federal Government were also discussed and proposals were harvested and forwarded to Igbo delegates. Lastly, the participants dwelt on the critical question of The Way Forward and how to reposition Ndigbo in Nigeria and in the Contemporary World.

Ndigbo – Victims of Years of Neglect and Punitive Federal Policies.

Due to years of neglect and punitive federal policies since the end of the Nigeria-Biafra War, development in Igbo-land has been seriously handicapped. Indeed, if Ndigbo had been left in control of their natural resources and social space after the Nigeria-Biafra War, the story today would have been different. Ndigbo would have been able to build on the foundations laid by the Azikiwe-Okpara regimes in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, industry and commerce, education and man-power development, cooperatives and culture. Unemployment and the crimes that go with it (armed robbery, kidnapping, 419 and various forms of fraud, etc.) would have been reduced to the barest minimum, if not totally eliminated, if Igbo-land had been allowed to develop at its own pace.

On Igbo National Rebirth.

Participants, as well as Ndigbo generally are convinced that the time has come to restore the developmental trajectory in Igbo-land that has been distorted since the end of the Nigeria-Biafra war.

To this end, the following were identified as the fundamental principles and tasks for the Agenda for Igbo National Rebirth.

  1. Igbo Renaissance/Restoration, Rebuilding the Igbo hearth.
  2. Recapture of Igbo values, culture, language, lore and literature.
  3. Major focus on the Youth-their education, employment and protection.
  4. Coexistence, with mutual respect in all interactions between Ndigbo and their neighbors.
  5. Federalism–The Nigerian Federation must become a Federation of the willingand not as it is presently constituted – Federation of the conquerors and the conquered.
  6. Imperative of Autonomy in political and other socio-cultural matters to enable Ndigbo develop their domain and at their pace.
  7. Doing honor to the Spirit of their icons and ancestors, and
  8. Serving their God without let or hindrance.

Enugu Declaration of March 12, 2014 – The Way Forward.

Drawing from the lessons of history, the participants acknowledged the fact that –

In Every Struggle, no less in the Struggle for National Survival – Organization is Everything! Yes, indeed. Vigilance and Organization is the price of Freedom.

It was, therefore, recognized that the intensity of contemporary aspirations and stirrings for National Rebirth and change in the historical circumstances of Ndigbo may come and disappear like a bubble unless anchored on a sustainable platform – an enduring organization.

In the light of the above, it was decided to build and register  ALAIGBO DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (ADF).

This decision forms the bedrock of the Enugu Declaration of March 12th, 2014. Consequently, on the 8th of July 2014, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) was formally registered as a corporate body by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja.  

Aims and Objectives of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF).

A. The mission of ADF derives from the passionate determination of her   membership to pursue the following goals: –

  1. To help rebuild, protect and promote the core values and institutions in Igbo Culture and Civilization.
  2. To produce a comprehensive Igbo National Charter for the immediate and long-term Restoration, Renaissance and Development of Igbo-land.
  • To encourage Research, Documentation and Social Actions on various issues that affect Igbo-land, her social order and her peoples.
  1. To organize periodic Forum and Social Actions in furtherance of the above.
  2. To cooperate with organizations which have similar objectives, and .
  3. To publish the results of ADF engagements.

B. OUR VISION’ The above underscore the Vision Of ADF, namely,

The Rebuilding and Development of Igbo Nation and

The Rebirth and Advancement of the Spirit of her Culture and Civilization

Indeed, ADF is committed to the Rebirth of the basic socio-cultural character, values and spirit of Igbo Nation, as captured by Olaudah Equiano in the Eighteenth Century, when he described Ndigbo as

A Nation of Happy Clean People, Without Unemployment, Without Prostitution Without Drunkards and Without Beggars!

Membership of ADF

Membership of Adagio Development Foundation (ADF) is open to Igbo sons and daughters who subscribe to its aims and objectives.

Organs of ADF

ADF has the following major organs:-

  1. Board of Trustees
  2. ADF Council
  3. ADF Working Committee
  4. ADF Affiliates
  5. Alaigbo Annual Congress
  6. Alaigbo Trust Fund
  7. ADF Standing Committees

 ADF and Ohanaeze Ndigbo

Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) is neither a rival nor a replacement for Ohanaeze Ndigbo as Igbo National Socio-Cultural Organization. ADF is to support Ohanaeze whenever and wherever her support is needed. ADF is to work with Governments (Zonal, State, LGA and Community), various pan-Igbo organizations and individuals in Igbo-land and Igbo Diaspora to help sharpen the vision of the Founding Fathers of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to work for the actualization of that vision and to ensure that those elected into positions of leadership of Ohanaeze abide by the vision and constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

 

AGENDA FOR IGBO NATIONAL REBIRTH

A . An Agenda for Igbo Social and Economic Development is to be anchored on the following:-

Restoration of the philosophical and social values of the Igbo Society.

Re-energizing and refocusing of basic Igbo communal spirit (Umunna), together with the spirit of enterprise and individual drive (Ikenga), and anchored on the fundamental moral and spiritual ethos (Ofo-na-ogu). Ndigbo have been recognized world-wide for these philosophical and social values from time immemorial.

B. Program of Action.

Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) as an organization and movement, will engage the Governments and major stakeholders in Igbo-land in deliberations and actions aimed at ensuring sustainable development of Igbo-land through a host of joint initiatives in the following areas:

  1. Politics and Governance.
    1. Strengthening of leadership institutions in Igbo-land.
    2. Pursuit of Regional Autonomy within which Ndigbo can guarantee rule of

      law, justice, preservation of their culture and language, unhindered economic, political and social development of Igbo-land.

  2.  Economy, Commerce and Industry
    1. To work with all stakeholders in Igbo-land to oversee the establishment of an Igbo-wide Development Commission, to harness the economic and other resource potentials of the zone and coordinate the operations of the various zonal initiatives to be undertaken towards the sustainable development of the region.
    2. To devise a strategy to build a world-class manufacturing region for all kinds of products based on already existing product manufacturing in Aba, Onitsha/Nnewi; etc.
    3. To devise a strategy towards enhancing ICT businesses within the region, such that international companies in US, Europe and Asia can engage such companies for ICT related services.
    4. To promote anInvest-At Home Movement. This will encourage indigenous and foreign investors to invest in Igbo-land, enhance employment and reduce crime in the region. 
  3. Education
    1. To improve the educational curriculum in primary and secondary schools in southeast states, to reflect the culture and language of Ndigbo, to inculcate a sense of identity and pride in Igbo children and entrench the teaching of civics, science and technology to develop the much needed human capital for a dream first class economy to meet the challenges of the times.
    2. To undertake aggressive teacher education initiatives through capacity building and continuing professional development for teachers at various levels of the educational system so that teachers will be at par with those in the developed countries of the world..
  4. Infrastructure/Technology
    1. To collaborate with the South-East governors to enhance human and infrastructural development, either through joint government projects or public-private partnerships (PPP), for capital projects such as the construction of light rail to connect the various state capitals as well as major commercial cities in the South-East (and other Igbo speaking areas, where possible). Such rail network would invariably also be connected to the national rail grid.
    2. Ensuring an improvement in road networks within the region, such that there is free and easy movement of goods and people [between all communities within the Region.
    3. Devising a strategy that will properly connect the Region with neighboring states, to ensure easy access to seaports and airports of all classes.
    4. To devise a strategy in collaboration with State governments and power company generators and distributors operating within the region to ensure absolute reliable electricity in Igbo-land within two years.
  5. Agriculture
    1. Apart from the challenges of physical security, the greatest challenge facing the Igbo nation is food security. It is unfortunate that many do not care that Ndigbo now almost exclusively depend on the Northern States of Nigeria for virtually every item of their food supply –  yam, rice, beans, tomato, garri, kola, pepper, onion, maize/corn, rice, sugar cane, etc, etc. If the war raging in the Northern parts of Nigeria were to extend to our territory today, it is difficult to imagine if our people can survive a month of food blockade. God forbid! ADF will henceforth alert our governments and citizens about the danger we face. ADF will challenge all and sundry in Igboland to embrace Agricultural Revolution, to re-enact as a matter of urgent necessity, the Land Armyprogram that saved millions of lives of our people during the war.
    2. To urge southeast governments to establish a Bank of Agriculture, to ensure micro-credit facilities to enhance mechanized farming and encourage agro-allied initiatives
    3. To devise a strategy along with other like-minded individuals in Igbo-land to evolve modern agriculture in such a way that Igbo land will be self-sufficient in all types of food production and have capacity to export food to other parts of the country and the World.
    4. . In particular, a strategy will be devised to develop animal production within the confines of Igbo land as it is practiced in other developed nations of the world

  6. Health

    1. To devise a strategy to make Igbo land a medical tourism centre and destination in sub-Saharan Africa, utilizing the abundant well groomed talents of our people who are practicing various aspects of the medical profession across the globe.
    2. To strategize with the State and Local Governments in effective public and environmental policies and actions.
    3. To strategize to ensure effective development in the health sector.
    4. To encourage Governments in Igbo- land to provide free medical services to our aged and children.

  7. Security

    1. Ndigbo need to evolve/mobilize strategy to bolster the existing national security protocols on ground in order to ensure absolute security of lives and property in Igbo land.
    2. To set up Regional Police and other security systems , free from partisan political interference, that are vital for the protection of Ndigbo within their homeland.

  8. Culture and Sports.

    1. To reflect upon, deepen and promote the artistic and cultural heritage of Ndigbo, preserve and innovate upon the rich cultural resources as produced by Igbo societies and individuals in history.

      These materials are necessary in grooming Igbo cultural identity within a complex national and global system.

    2. To promote a correct representation of Igbo art and culture through the prism of industry of entertainment.

    3. To revive the spirit of fraternity, unity and kinship as well as promote talent and aspiration among Ndigbo through sports – football, wrestling athletics, etc.

  9. Ndigbo and the International System

    1. To internationalize all Igbo issues in order to end self-isolation in the world.
    2. To reconnect with countries, regions and cities which have historic political and cultural relationship with Ndigbo (viz: Israel, Haiti, Brazil, USA, Oxford, Montreal, Vatican, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Zambia, South Africa, Britain , etc).
    3. To encourage Ndigbo where-ever they may live to set up Igbo Cultural Centers especially in major cities of the world.
    4. To encourage the setting up of Departments of Igbo Languages in particular and Igbo Studies in general, both in the Universities in Igbo-land and wherever this may be possible globally.
    5. Work in synergy with pan-Igbo organizations in the Diaspora, particularly, The Renaissance Forum, Igbo Studies association, World Igbo Congress, Igbo World Assembly, etc.

  10. The Future of in Igbo in Federal Republic Struggling for Survival

    “If we consider a nightmare scenario, where the prophets of doom are right, how prepared are we to pick up our piece of the debris that could result from the predicted chaos and converting it to a viable state?”  Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK – A Call for Unity!

DECLARATION:

We members of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), hereby declare that we shall commit ourselves to the historical goals of rebirth, unity and development of Igbo-land to ensure a future of justice, truth, equality and honor for ourselves, our children and all future generations of Umuigbo.

 

So Help us, Oh God!  

 

OFFICES

Abuja Office:  Suite B04 Gouba Plaza, Plot 171 Ekukinam Street

Utako District, FCT ABUJA

Enugu Office:  No 1 Idemili Street, Ind. Layout Enugu

Phone:  +234-803-349-7985,   +234-802-345-5681

Email: alaigbocongress@yahoo.com , alaigbodf@gmail.com