Ndigbo have been implored to embrace unity and harmony in order to have a stronger voice in national affairs.

This was the focal point of discussion at the 2018 Independence Summit for
professionals under the umbrella of Association of Professional Bodies
of Nigeria, APBN, held in Awka.
Our correspondent Blessing Uchendu was at the summit and reports that
the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN is an umbrella
body unifying all the registered professional institutions and
associations, with the mandate to coordinate, support and serve as
their mouthpiece.

The association currently has about thirty professional bodies under it.

In a Keynote speech, the traditional ruler of Ifitedunu, Igwe Dr Emeka
Ilouno, who addressed the theme “Nigeria Since Independence: So Far,
How Far For the Igbo Nation” highlighted the substantial number of
projects belonging to Ndi Igbo in different parts of the country,
regretting that Ndi Igbo have little or no federal presence in their region.

Igwe Ilouno called on Ndi Igbo to be more proactive and imbibe the
spirit of unity rather than individualistic competitiveness so as to advance the Igbo agenda.

Also sharing their thoughts on the same theme, the Dean Faculty of
Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Stella
Okunna and a Senior Lecturer from Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu
University, Mr. Bruno Ibekilo, noted that Igbo people lack unity of purpose in politics resulting to their inability to obtain their rightful
patrimony in the political economy of Nigeria.

The National President of the association, Engineer Alade Ajibola,
charged them to increase their visibility and impact on the professional and socio-economic development of the state through continuous synergy with the government.

Responding, the newly elected Board of Trustee chairman, and the
traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Pharmacist Alex Onyido, said that
they must work collectively to harmonize policies that would boost
individual and government performances toward a viable society.
One of the awardees and the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Benneth Emeka, appreciated the association for the honour, saying that it will spur him to do greater exploits wherever he may find himself.

The event was attended by government functionaries, traditional
rulers, a former Managing Director of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Lady Chinwe Nnedum, while induction of newly elected
board of trustee members and presentation of awards to deserving
individuals also featured at the event.