By Godwin Chukwumaechi
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, has said that it has commenced moves to modernise the Igbo Apprenticeship System, an economic system that has helped in the economic empowerment of the people.
This is as the organization has vowed to continue to protect the interest of Igbo people across the world.
President-General of Ohaneze-Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, made the announcement Sunday in Port Harcourt during a press briefing in the Rivers State capital.
Speaking on the apprenticeship system, which has become an enviable system across the world, Chief Iwuanyanwu observed that the system is being “challenged by modernity” and therefore requires a review.
He said Ohaneze under him has constituted a Business Committee headed by Sam Ohuabunwa, which has been mandated to carry out the review in order to bring it in tune with the times and further use it to empower the people.
Chief Iwuanyanwu said; “This apprenticeship system is very indigenous to Nigeria. What it means is that when an Igbo man establishes a business, he hires 3 or 4 people, they could be his relations, to work with them.
“He clothes them, he houses them, he will feed them but he will not pay them salaries. At the end of their terms, he will settle them, they call it (Idu ulo). He will give them money, which means the aggregate of the money they should have earned as salary. That person will now set up his own business and will collect another set of his own apprentices again. You see, it has a geometric progression within a short time. That’s what made Igbos to be very prosperous”.
He added; “Today in Nigeria, the resourcefulness of the Igbos is clearly measured by the commanding heights they maintain in business across various parts of Nigeria.
Now the system is no longer strong as it was. Things have changed over the years. Mark you that thing is an old structure which has to be modernized. Ohaneze is going to find a means of modernizing it. Ohaneze has set up a committee on business under the chairmanship of Sam Ohuabunwa.
“Part of their duty is to find a means of modernizing it. It was like a primitive content but it served its purpose. But now, the Ohuabunwa committee will now be able to find a modernized mode so that it will continue to work”.
On the protection of Igbo interest Chief Iwuanyanwu said the organisation would continue to protect the interest of Igbos across the world, but would not stick out its neck for any Igbo who engages in criminal activities.
He said that no ethnic group in Nigeria contributes to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as well as to the internally generated revenue (IGR) of governments than Igbos.
He described the people as adventurers and observed that they are found in all local government areas in the country.
He said: “Igbos are adventurous in nature. They travel a lot. Their businesses are spread all over the country. In fact, it is well known that all over the country, there is hardly any local government in Nigeria where you don’t have Igbos. Igbos are living everywhere and wherever they live, they pursue their occupation, they pursue their business.
“They are very loyal and faithful people. They are honest in their interaction with people and that is why they are staying there. People who are dishonest cannot survive in foreign lands. Igbos prosper wherever they go.
“They establish businesses, they build schools, they build churches, they build hospitals, they build so many things. They contribute to the gross domestic product of the area. Even, the internally generated revenue of the government, they contribute to it.
“It is clear from the record I have in my office that no ethnic group in Nigeria contributes more to the internally generated revenue of various governments than Igbos. No ethnic group contributes to the GDP of the country than Igbos. Wherever they go, they stay there and develop there. We are people who are faithful to Nigeria.
“Ohaneze is that structure which the Igbos established to defend our people when they face any serious hostility or aggression, which most of the time is due to their successes. Ohaneze is there to protect anybody who is being attacked unjustly.
“If anyone commits an offence, Ohaneze has not business with that. We believe in the rule of law; the law must take its course. But, if any Igbo person is unjustly being treated anywhere, Ohaneze will rise to his defense.”
