IPOB LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

By Onumajuru Onyekachi Macsantos (Abia Writers)
Edited by Livingrich Ezeikpe
The powerful and enlightened seminar of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), kicked off exactly by 11.00 am on the 11th May 2018. The Seminar was graced by many IPOB dignitaries from different locations both in Biafra land and other places. The moderator Mr. prince Awa introduced Abia Province Co-coordinator, Mr. Ikechukwu Ugwuohia to give his opening remarks. During the opening remarks, he briefly called out the initiator of the seminar, Bishop Michael Kalu, who greeted the audience before the seminar properly proceeded in full gear.

The first speaker Mr. Graham Chinedu kicked the ball rolling with his marvellous speech about the character of a good leader. He informed them that IPOB leadership is all about transparency, chains of commands from the top to the bottom, effectiveness and discipline; He went on to say that “leadership is a privilege not about education, qualification or buoyancy because in Biafra land everyone will be equal irrespective of your position. Every leader must obey his or her superior both in orders and information”. He ended by saying that “leaders should not neglect the advice of his members or reject the opinion of his members publicly because if the leader does so, next time members may come up with good advice which may help Biafra struggle but will keep it without airing it”.

Rev. Gabriel O. Emmanuel pointed out few sensitive issues that will help the leader. He started with the secret of a good leader. He believes that “what matters is what the leader thinks about you. Your background as a leader should not limit you. As a leader you shouldn’t decorate your excuses and also don’t use your position as a platform or qualification to intimidate your members. However, any leader that has selfish interest is an enemy of Biafra restoration because if a leader doesn't perform as he is supposed to, he will be automatically replaced and the former leader must give the new one maximum support for the work to go on because IPOB is not a personal property”.

Continuing, Rev. Gabriel advised leaders not to think of position but rather the restoration of Biafra which is the endpoint. He frowned at a leader using his position to extort members or committing crimes because Biafra restoration is a call for service and the course of IPOB is a call for righteousness and sacrifice. He informed leaders to be careful of what you say and don’t disclose our secret just because you need a favour from politicians or individual”.

He pointed out that political era has arrived, so leaders should not in any way indulge in politics or promise politicians that he or she will bring IPOB members to them. Rev. Gabriel went on to say that he prefers to die for something than for nothing. He warned the leaders not to fight the wrong fight rather the right fight, and urged them to criticize constructively and with love, not stabbing our leaders at the back in the name of criticism.

Another speaker, Mr. Michael threw more light on the aspect of security, saying that “we must understand the meaning of security because anything can happen at any point. According to him, “self-determination is not easy; we have to trade with maximum caution, be mindful of the smartphone because Nigerian government has used network providers to track our conversations and information”.

Finally, the Abia coordinator, Mr. Ikechukwu Ugwuoha told the IPOB leaders that they should possess two attitudes; The character of a lion and the character of a sheep, the character of a lion show that he has people to protect, ready to attack anyone who threatens his people and also guard his people. Secondly, the sheep character makes a leader a good listener and also humble to his people. He warned them to be mindful of members that approach them with money because one day the person will insult them. He lamented that the love of smartphone has drastically reduced the love we have for each other “because we love pressing our phones steady without associating with our members”. He ended with votes of thanks, while Rev. Gabriel O. Emmanuel officially ended the seminar with a passionate prayer.
In Biafra, we stand.