Igbo World Union – INTRODUCTION
The remarkable story of His Imperial Majesty Amb. Sir, Dr. Mishak Nnanta KJW, KSM, JP (Gburugburun Ndigbo Dum) founder of the Igbo World Union is obviously historic, encouraging and legendary. Indeed it is an account of comprehensive and unalloyed doggedness, commitment, courage and altruistic disposition to pursue collective good and advancement.
Franz Fanon, a renowned scholar, writer and philosopher stated “every generation out of relative obscurity discover their destiny, then betray or fulfil it. Obviously the challenge of leading the Igbos as an organized, cohesive, harmonious ethnic nationality within the global platform is not a mean assignment.
The republican nature of the Igbos has endeared him to vassalages and almost republican governance and community administration without the recognition of one central strong ruler who weighs sovereign power on behalf of the race. Thus His Imperial Majesty has by divine providence and ardent adherence to the call of destiny achieved for the Igbos in the new millennium the near impossible task of forging a formidable brotherhood and concordance under one sovereign rulership.
Indeed the path to this position, height and task is to say the least so tough, challenging and demanding. However, gladly, Mishak Nnanta is thoroughly prepared, mentored and strengthened by adversity, enlightened by exposure and nurtured by his knowledge of Igbo norms, culture and tradition to be rounded, eligibly qualified to surmount the obvious difficult task of Igbo leadership.
The contemporary place of the Igbos in the Nigerian project, the obvious injustice and unfairness in allocation, of socio-economic gains led to the various calls for proper articulation of views and actions by Igbos through a united front to pursue for themselves, justice, equity and fairness in united Nigeria. This can only be achieved through a formidable and united brotherhood.
The Igbo World Union has conveniently in the face of odds and daunting challenges achieved this rare feat of unification and pronounced advocacy for Ndi-Igbo. Like a mustard seed, the Igbo World Union, the unifying and umbrella body for the advancement and welfare of Ndigbo Dum has grown formidable in lips and bounds, achieving its mandates with missions and branches all over the world. It has equally gain tremendous recognition and commendable fraternal relationship with embassies, chambers of commerce, traditional rulers of note and leaders of ethnic government at highest group level in Nigeria and the diaspora. Thereby providing as a veritable platform for unification and advancement of Ndigbo Dum. Indeed, his Imperial Majesty Amb. Dr. Sir, Mishak Nnanta is a great and collective asset.
The sense of urgency, commitment and sacrifice of His Imperial Majesty, Amb. Dr., Sir Mishak Nnanta KJW, KSM, JP, to the unification and advancement of Ndigbo Dum Worldwide is a Landmark event that needs meticulous study, chronology and documentation. This is abiding conviction behind this project.
THE REMARKABLE STRIDES OF IGBO WORLD UNION
The Igbo World Union true to its primordial objective has accomplished remarkable, historic breakthrough in placing the Igbo culture and enterprise in the global map, this they have done through a sustained, committed and focused leadership of Dum (KJW, KSM, JP). His Imperial Majesty, Amb. Dr., Sir Mishak Nnanta (Gburugburụ Ndịgbo Dum). In order to achieve this remarkable service to the Igbo nation, he has over the years engaged in altruistic publicity and global enlightenment of Igbo way of life and enterprise through engaging Igbos in diaspora in numerous countries as well as sincere cultural and enlightenment collaboration with embassies of various countries such as USA, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, South Africa, Cuba, Brazil, India, China, Canada, United Kingdom, Hungary, Gambia, Namibia, Pakistan, Palestine, Zambia, Uganda, Senegal, Norway, Ethiopia, Ireland, Morocco, Argentina, Congo, Burkina Faso, Slovak, Germany, Sudan, Indonesia, Iran, Ghana, Syrian, Kenya, Egypt, Mauritania, South Sudan etc. The Igbo World Union under the supertendency of its President-General, Amb. Dr. Mishak Nnanta has pursued and promoted community goal and collective service beyond what is obtained now, leading to the revival of collapsed infrastructure in Igbo nation. He has equally ensured the rehabilitation e.g. Igbo world college in Kano, bringing it to its lost glory before the civil war, this was during his visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Sanusi.
In recent times, the organization have strongly called of the respect of fundamental rights of Igbos at home and diaspora. Projected equally the call for amnesty of Igbo young men in particular in public detention facilities over crimes such as engaging in illicit drug trafficking, advance fee fraud, human trafficking which efforts are receiving remarkable attention and solution in recent time. For instance through his intervention, the Emir of Nguru recognized his plea and reverse the order that Igbos cannot take alcohol e.g. beer in the Emirate, indeed all that were detained were released and granted pardon. Equally a particular area was mapped for out of the recreation of the Igbos where then can equally consume alcohols, beer and other drinks.
Remarkably in Daura Emirate of Katsina State, the home state of the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), the president General of Igbo World Union was warmly received with his team in his speech, Gburugburụ Ndi Igbo Dum emphasized that Ndi Igbo should be given the chance to produce the next President of Nigeria, after the incumbent President to promote fairness and equality in the nation. In his response the Emir, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar whole heartily welcome the speech and remarked that everything that would be done to promote peace and unity in Nigeria would be encouraged.
Another remarkable outing was his visit to Emir of Argungu Kebbi State where there was a warm welcome of Gburugburụ Ndịgbo Dum and also the unification of all Igbos leaving in the Emirate. The Gburugburụ Ndịgbo Dum was highly impressed as he called for unity and peace among the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. The Emir in response donated a large area of land for the erection of Igbo community civil center in the area. The legion of the effort of these remarkable statesman is so deep and large that it will take a greater effort to further articulate them into a chronology.
BUILDING BRIDGE OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN NDI-IGBO AND OTHER TRIBES
His Imperial Majesty Amb. Dr., Sir Mishak Nnanta has glaringly displayed that leadership is an innate attribute that goes with birth. As he has meticulously engaged himself in promoting friendship, peaceful co-existence between Ndịgbo Dum and other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. It is of note that Gburugburụ Ndi-Igbo Dum has promoted the message of peace, National Unity and integration and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. No wonder Sultan of sokoto, recently hosted Imperial Majesty Amb. Sir Mishak Nnanta Gburugburụ Ndịgbo Dum) which highlighted the remarkable effort of building a bridge across the Niger. He equally promoted governance through accountability and transparency in governance by a strong advocacy and enlightenment speeches. He has at numerous opportunity of interacting with high government functionaries which include, office of the Inspector General Police, Office of Chief of Army staff, Office of secretary general of the federation, office of accountant general of the federation, office of head of service, office of chief press secretary of the federation, office of Hon Minister Petroleum, Office of Minister of defence presented great speeches which has put him in a remarkable position as a result oriented selfless leader.
It is remarkable to note that at the height of the National crises occasioned by the demand for separation and quit-notice to the Igbo’s by the AREWA Youths, His Imperial Majesty in solidarity with other Emir’s and leaders of Kingdoms made pronounced and courageous visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Abubakar where he re-affirm the sacrosanct of Nigerian Unity and peaceful Co-existence. Consequently his host the Sultan made him and the entire Igbo nation an open commitment to promote national peace and security of all Nigerians where ever they reside.
