hen my flight to New Orleans landed at Louis Armstrong International Airport on Labor Day Weekend, as a first time visitor, I approached a woman to seek direction to Hyatt Regency Hotel, the venue of the World Igbo Congress 2001 Convention. The woman I talked to was amazed that I was heading to Hyatt instead of the French Quarters where the fun was. Like so many Igbos who went to the city of New Orleans, my motivating factor was anything but fun. The air was filled with tension. Men of power were seen maneuvering. Along the corridors and sideways of the hotel were people whispering to each other. It was obvious to any keen observer that the display on the stage was less than the overall theatricals in progress.

The issues at stake ranged from the future of WIC itself to the direction Igbos would go in 2003. The players were from a variety of schools of thought. The delegation that came from Nigeria depicted the diversity of opinion. Led by the Senate President, Mr. Pius Anyim, the home delegation included Senator Arthur Nzeribe, Professor J.S.P.C. Nwokolo, Former Senate President, Evans Enwerem, Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Chekwas Okorocha, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, and Mr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu amongst others. It was a strange mix of characters that underscored the issues at the heart of the contemporary role of Igbos in the socio-political life of Nigeria.

A delegate from Ohaneze led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu enumerated the efforts being made at home to secure a respectable place for Igbos in Nigeria. Chief Nnia Nwodo articulated several committees set up by the home based cultural organization to attain Igbo goals. Prof. Barth Nnaji who was present at the convention heads the technological development committee.

In his remark, the Ikemba of Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, took a shot at the mannerism of Igbo leaders and quipped, “There are too many gentlemen in Igbo land. I pray God to send us more lunatics.” He frowned at the way Igbos develop and assimilate into everywhere they inhabit and in the process lose their culture. The Eze Igbo warned that Igbo language is one of the languages that the United Nations identified amongst those in danger of extinction in 50 years time. He pleaded for the revival of Igbo culture and the elevation of women within the leadership ranks of Igbos.

In a surprise move, Ikemba introduced Mr. Chekwas Okorocha to the audience in such glowing terms that participants were left wondering if he has handed the baton. Chekwas, a young, articulate and charitable new entrant into the Igbo leadership hierarchy gave an upbeat speech in which he used flowerly imageries to conjure the impending rise of the Igbos to what used to be their rightful place in Nigeria.

The maverick himself, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, mounted the stage and brought home to World Igbos his all too familiar refrain that the dream of Igbo presidency come 2003, was nothing but an illusion. As delegates booed, Nzeribe stood his ground until he made his point. “I can tell you what will make you clap for me, but that is not why I am here. I know exactly what to say to make you clap for me but I am not saying so.” The Oguta big mouth wondered loud how the theme of the convention got to “orue la na omume” (It’s action time) when the last time he checked, Igbos were still of the consensus that “ a ga akpa ya akpa” (it shall be discussed). “Where was it discussed and what was agreed upon?” the senator asked.

Those looking for any answer from Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State were disappointed. Booed for his poor performance as governor, Udenwa became angry and told the delegates that everyone should know their limits. “I am a dully elected governor of a state,” he protested to a crowd that was disapproving in a resounding tone. In his search for the elusive respect, he tried to tap into the emotional pool of being a veteran of the Biafran war but the audience was not impressed. The sophisticated audience knew that for some, there was no choice – they were conscripted.

Sir J. S. P. C. Nwokolo, a special adviser to President Obasanjo, urged Igbos to examine the need to restructure Nigeria. He promised to take any resolution in that regards to President Obasanjo and ensure that the president signed it into law if it is adopted and the legislature pushed it.

The Senate President, Mr. Pius Anyim, with his high profile as the third most powerful elected officer in Nigeria failed to live up to his status. He looked disorganized when he got to the podium and made a boring speech that was long on aesthetic and short on substance. At one point he lost track of his unorganized speech and kept his audience wondering how such a man runs the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As he made his speech, hecklers raised posters in protest. Some of the posters accused him of being a sell out. Others question the wisdom in his squabble with the governor of Ebonyi State. Most participants remembered that he made a seven–page speech but nobody could recollect one thing he said.

Later at night, during the banquet organized to honor participants, Mr. Anyim had a chance to redeem himself. But once again, he failed. In a banquet hall full of Igbos tastefully dressed, Mr. Anyim came out wearing jeans and short sleeve shirt. He once again busted into another long and inordinate speech, the type heard at motor parks across Nigeria. By the time he was done, the crowd was ready to go to bed. Not even his 2 million Naira promise, if next year’s convention is awarded to Enugu, could excite anyone.

Before New Orleans, Igbos were doing what William Butler Yeates called, “Turning and turning in the widening gyre.” In New Orleans, things did not fall apart. It did not because the falcon finally heard the falconer. It was worse before it became hopeful again. Igbos were tested to the limit and they walked out triumphantly. The revolution has taken place.

That will be our story in the second part of this report.