BREAKING NEWS!
(INSECURITY)
Why Ndígbo Must Be Their Brother’s Keeper Amidst Rising Security Challenges in the Land
By Amb. Dr. Akpelu Azunna E., PhD, FIPMD, FONN
President General, Ogbako Ndígbo Nile Worldwide
Introduction
In the face of worsening insecurity across our land, the Igbo nation must return to the age-old principle that defines us—”onye aghana nwanne ya”—let no one abandon his brother. This sacred principle, deeply rooted in our culture, must now become not just a slogan but a way of life. As President General of Ogbako Ndígbo Nile Worldwide, a global sociocultural platform committed to the advancement and protection of the Igbo people, I deem it necessary to call for unity, compassion, and collective responsibility among our people.
- A Nation in Peril: The Security Challenges We Face
Nigeria today is besieged with a myriad of security problems:
Kidnappings have become a daily threat, even in once peaceful communities.
Unknown gunmen now roam our lands, creating fear and forcing our people into silence.
Banditry and herdsmen attacks in Igbo farmlands are displacing villagers and destroying livelihoods.
Youth restiveness and cultism have infiltrated some of our towns, weakening the moral foundation of our communities.
We are in a defining moment, and the silence or indifference of our people can no longer be an option.
- The Spirit of Brotherhood is Our Strength
The Igbo have always survived adversity through solidarity, self-help, and communal resilience. During the Biafran War, we showed the world what unity could achieve in the midst of siege and suffering. In times past, our age-grades, town unions, and women associations functioned as social security systems for the poor, the bereaved, and the vulnerable.
In this period of insecurity, each Igbo person must see the next as family, not as a stranger. We must:
Shelter those displaced from troubled zones.
Share intelligence and report suspicious activity to protect our communities.
Protect Igbo businesses and traders under threat.
Stand together, not just in grief, but in collective action.
- The Dangers of Apathy and Division
A house divided against itself cannot stand. When we allow jealousy, political rivalry, or religious bias to infiltrate our ranks, we make ourselves vulnerable to external forces that do not mean us well.
Insecurity thrives where the people are divided. Our enemies know this. That is why we must rise above petty quarrels, and focus on what unites us—our identity, our survival, and our destiny.
- Community Vigilance and Grassroots Collaboration
We must reawaken our community vigilance structures, the town security outfits, and neighborhood watch groups. These institutions must be supported, trained, and coordinated with the appropriate authorities, not politicized or allowed to become tools of oppression.
Ogbako Ndígbo Nile Worldwide encourages every town union and diaspora group to adopt a village-focused security support initiative. Through partnerships with local leaders and traditional institutions, we can provide surveillance, intelligence, and even economic empowerment for at-risk youths, who are often lured into crime due to poverty.
- Diaspora and Urban Igbo Must Not Forget Home
Those in the cities or abroad must remember their villages and loved ones. It is not enough to send money during festive periods. In these times, we must:
Invest in local development, especially security infrastructure.
Sponsor community education and empowerment programs to prevent youths from joining criminal networks.
Support community-based security forums, town halls, and reconstruction projects in affected areas.
Remember: If the root rots, the tree dies. If Ala Igbo collapses, no matter how high we rise elsewhere, we are vulnerable.
- The Role of Faith, Culture, and Leadership
Let us not abandon the moral compass of our culture. Igbo traditional values teach accountability, truth, justice, and fairness. Our religious and cultural leaders must preach peace and unity, and avoid fanning the flames of ethnic or political divisions.
Leadership must lead by example. Igbo leaders—political, religious, traditional, and civil society—must rise above personal interest and commit to the safety and unity of our people.
- Igbo Women and Youths: The Power Within
Our mothers—the Umuada—have historically played powerful roles in crisis resolution and community enforcement. Now is the time to reclaim that space.
Our youths must also be empowered, not used. They are our greatest resource. Let us mentor them, support their education, and offer alternatives to crime through skill acquisition and employment.
Conclusion: Let Love and Brotherhood Lead
We are at a crossroads. The storms are fierce, but if we hold hands, we can weather them. The enemy is not our brother. The enemy is insecurity, hatred, division, and silence.
Let every Igbo man, woman, and youth declare: I will be my brother’s keeper. I will not stand aside while my people perish. I will defend Ala Igbo with my voice, my vote, my skill, my presence, and my resources.
Let us rise. Let us unite. Let us live out the eternal truth of our civilization:
“Onye aghana nwanne ya.”
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Long live Ala Igbo.
Long live Ogbako Ndígbo Nile Worldwide.
Long live the spirit of brotherhood.
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