The Chairman Assembly of Anambra State Indigenes in Munich Germany, Nze Ozomma Ebuka Ifeacho has reiterated the need for Anambra indigenes in diaspora to prioritize investments at home. Speaking in an interview with the Chairman Stadt Newspaper in Munich Germany, Ozomma Omemma Enugwu-Ukwu n’Umunri revealed that he is a strong advocate of ‘Think Home Philosophy’. According to the AASI leader, Think Home Philosophy is not only in terms of building residential houses or construction of big industries but also in terms of conscious efforts to support the economically vulnerable. Nze Ifeacho emphasized the imperatives of being the hope for the hopeless, arguing that adding value to people’s lives is an immeasurable source of blessings. In his opinion, “it is superstitious or rather defective reasoning to assume that the money you give to the poor can be used against you. This is an absolute nonsense. There is no way your genuine help can be turned against you in this way. Is there no more God”! Omemma queried. There are multiple ways to help, choose the ones convenient to you. This is an important component of the thinking home idea. Below is the interview in full.
Honourable Chairman, you have led Assembly of Anambra State Indigenes in Munich Germany since 2014. Stadt Newspaper is grateful that you accepted the invitation for this interview. Tell us more of who you are and other roles you play in similar associations in Germany.
My name is Nze Ebuka Ifeacho, (Ozomma Omemma Enugwu-Ukwu n’ Umunri). As noted in the introduction, I am the Chairman Assembly of Anambra State Indigenes Munich, Germany. Also, a member Board of Trustees (BOT), Isi Nri Museum, Enugwu-Ukwu. Isi Nri is a Museum of Arts and Culture situated at Enugwu-Ukwu. The Museum houses primeval artefacts from four Umunri towns. The four Umunri towns are Enugwu-Ukwu, Enugwu-Agidi, Nawfia and Agukwu. I am one of founding members of Nzuko Ndi Anambra in Germany and a member of BOT of the group. Also, I am a member of BOT Ndi Igbo in Germany and the Chairman, Advisory Committee, Anambra State Association (ASA).The Assembly of Anambra State Indigenes Munich (AASI) was founded in 2014.
It is on record that you are one of the founders of AASI In 2014, what are the objectives the Assembly is set to achieve, and to what extent has the Assembly gone in achieving those set objectives?
There is nothing improper in the proposition that I am a founder of AASI. As much as it may be unnecessary delving into greater details of the processes of the formation, there are some aspects of the formation that need to be highlighted. The persistent calls for an association of this nature were driving forces that inspired the courage for me to step in and pick up the mantle. Prior to this moment, there were two failed attempts at a formation of a fraternal group with the capacity to bring the Anambra people together. The attempts literally collapsed due to what appeared to be credibility questions on the part of the planners.
The unfortunate failures of the series of efforts to unite our people, presumably, necessitated a persisted pressure on me to take the lead. Severally, I negated the suggestion to step in until it became ostensibly inevitable that I must yield to the pressures arising from persuasions from such people as Frank Okonkwo, (Enyikwonwa Umuoji). Frank was particularly insistent arguing that I alone, then, have the credibility, the personality or the character capable of making the efforts at the formation meaningful. Part of the argument included that I alone had what it may take to convoke a meeting that Anambra people can take seriously. Enyikwonwa based his presumptions on my comparative vast followers, a followership founded on trust. The eventual realisation of the dream of AASI came with active support of Enyikwonwa and vigorous efforts of many other strong-minded individuals. Currently, Enyikwonwa Umuoji is the Financial Secretary of ASSI Munich.
The goals or objectives of AASI among other positive things include:
1. Fostering fraternal love, unity and cooperation among Anambra indigenes living in Munich.
2. Educating and assisting members to achieve cultural integration rapidly and successfully.
3. Helping one another, as much as possible, in achieving speedy successes in whatever legitimate engagements.
4. Rendering help (where we can) to our home state, Anambra and supporting the poor.
In addition, we aspire to establish something that will forever keep bringing us together as a fraternal assemblage. We proposed, and have in mind something in a range of a Collective Investment. On the issue of Collective Investment, we are calculatingly careful due to the laws of the land. This is because AASI was registered as a Non-profit making organisation. We do not lose the sight of the provisions of the law with respect to the status of AASI in whatever economic or financial involvements. Whatever is the situation we are focused on the determination to achieve all our goals. The building of a Hall and Collective Investment suggestions are still on the pipe line. We could have taken active steps on the areas if not the setback arising from Covid-19 Pandemic that destabilised some parts of our programmes.
The pandemic slowed us down because within and immediately after the incident there were no income to the AASI as the members voted unanimously that the financial obligations due to the members within the period be cancelled. It was approximately two years. The estimated financial loses to AASI amounted to something in the range of 15,000 Euros. This is a significant drawback that stalled our programmes. In practical terms it seemed we restarted afresh after inauguration. On the whole, it has been a decade of gainful activities. It is not an exaggeration to say we have achieved a lot so far.
Evidently, you are a known personality within and outside Bayern. You have links of active connections beyond the Deutschland, what are your driving forces? What is the philosophy behind your active display of friendship and the acceptability?
It is not an overstatement to say that I am a man of the people. I have been someone deeply involved in community events. I am an activist right from the cradle. I have always been willing to do something to add value. The things I have done and still doing exposed me. These exposures offered me profound experiences in every relationship particularly with our people, and indeed the Africans. AASI, specifically, is a school of a kind for me. I learnt a lot, and my special thanks go to Ndi Anambra in Munich for the opportunities.
I am endlessly encouraged, and my strength is nourished by my beloved wife Lolo Oluchi Ifeacho (Nwanyimanari). Lolo is a pillar of support to me. Frankly, the fatherly or leadership roles I have been playing inclined me to cherish everyone. I am inclined to see and to treat anyone with sincerity and care devoid of malice. My understanding of man’s imperfections gave me the privilege of learning to overlook faults no matter how painful they appear. My desire to deal compassionately with people has significantly helped me in treasuring every relationship. The dispositions have been very beneficial to me as a person and coincidentally to AASI I have led for a decade.
Living by example (Okaa obulu uzo) has been a potent tool of success for me. You know our people are of a kind that always want you to be at the forefront of any task. It is by so doing that they show willingness and active followership. They hardly follow until you demonstrate vigour, get involved and start the action first. As an egalitarian folk, they disparage those who lead from behind. The understanding of this principle has been exceptionally fruitful to me.
The consciousness of the obligations to separate private issues from the public in my decisions as a leader gave me the privileges of objective assessments and fair judgements. The aftermath of this is the increased confidence of the AASI members in the capacity of members of the executive to take the right decisions. The leadership style, obviously, has powerful effect in invalidation of animosity and encouragement of genuine understanding in our fold. As a ‘practical person’ I don’t keep malice, malice is counterproductive in every way. I prefer to let go, this is where freedom and security can be found. I have always said, “you don’t give what you don’t have. If you don’t have peace, you can’t give it”. My philosophy is that if you don’t have peace, you cannot spice people’s lives.
The 2023 Charity Programmes of the AASI seemed a resounding success judging from unanimous approval of the delegations’ reports. What are the important lessons learnt that must be improved in the subsequent outings?
We are devoted to the plans of helping the economically disadvantaged, the physically disabled and the orphans in Anambra. We have engaged in this project a number of times and each time we are impressed by the outcome. The feeling that we have substantially improved both in terms of the quality of what we give and the ease with which the projects are executed is perfectly in order. So far, we have been very successful. 2023 visits to the shelters in Anambra state were manifestations of the increased progress.
Our members are progressively supportive and there are ample encouraging signs of the zeal to do more. The reports of the last visits were widely commended even outside the folds of AASI. Our determination now is in the improvements in those areas we observed flaws. The expressions of deep appreciation by the children in the Homes we visited, the satisfaction of the disadvantaged who were helped remained sources of inspirations for us to do more. The expressions of joy in the children have bolstered our commitment to do more. We have learnt that impacting people’s lives is Godly, and it is a source of joy.
We have also learnt that sending advance-parties make the execution of the project friction-free. Gratitude to Onyebuchi Oguejiofor (Otuonye na Nnewi), Frank Okonkwo (Enyikwonwa) Nze Andrew Peterside (Anyabuluegbe). These guys were on ground earlier and they facilitated the information on where to go and arranged the logistics. With the assistance provided by them, it was easier for us to swing into action and this saved time. It is natural to say, it is all worthwhile. I am also acknowledging unquantifiable contributions of Ozo Nonso Onyemaeke (Ononulakpataego) and Calistus Echefule (Okenwa). They distinguished themselves in no small way in the successes of the enterprises. We are determined to continue to improve as I encourage our members to explore more avenues of increased participation particularly those who are fortunate to be in Nigeria during the Christmas.
You are a popular Nigerian in Bayern, what in your judgement threw you into the public glare?
No doubt, I am a well-known person. My popularity is not because I go to Munich Main Train Station (Hauptbahnhof) to distribute money, waste valuable time or engage in trivialities. No, I am popular because of quality behaviour. I believe my popularity and/or acceptance in the wider Munich society are accumulated impacts of years of displaying keen sense of responsibility. Back in the late 1990s we arrived in Germany, there were students particularly those of Igbo extractions who died, but these kinds of tragedies hardly elicited the compassion of our people. In short, nobody cared, but I always make myself available doing whatever possible to help at least by sourcing documents for repatriation of the body to Nigeria and handing over the deceased to the families. I have organised a lot of things like these in the past. I have also vigorously intervened in situations where a Nigerian or indeed an African had civil cases. In collaborations with like minds, we have always helped the much we can. Being almost like a reference point for those in need, I became inevitably known. My popularity transcends the confines of Nigerians or Africans.
In addition, my restaurant business spanning seven years significantly accounted for the fact that I am reasonably eminent in Bayern. However, nothing has thrown me into the public glare more than humanitarian assistance I have been privileged to offer without discrimination. I have extended hands of love and friendship despite the recurrent disappointments. I have not been really deterred by those who take advantages and abuse acts of kindness. I am principled, this has no effect when it contends with the need to help. I always counted on my strength in maintaining principled stance on issues. There is always need for boundaries, because if you have a policy you have to be strict to an extent in order to protect it. Endless changes of stance on issues show lack of principle.
Nze, Ozo Omemma Enugwu-Ukwu n‘Umunri and many more are your cultural titles, in the context of Ndi Igbo traditional titles are rewards so sacred and dependent on privileges. This is because Ndi Igbo are culturally puritanical or culture sensitive. What made your community reward you so much?
The titles are linked to my ancestry. My grandfather was the first Warrant Chief in Awka axis. My grandfather was late Chief Ifeacho Ibekwe (Ozomma Otigbu Anyinya Enugwu-Ukwu n’Umunri. Late Chief Ibekwe was a titled man. I am often perceived as a reincarnation of my grandfather. The name ‘Ozomma’ is a proof of the link to the family I belong. Ozomma is synonymous with my family. We inherited the name from our grandfather and anyone who cared can kept it. So, I kept it because I cared. In Enugwu-Ukwu, there are as many as seven levels of titles. I have already acquired five and two are remaining. The last of the titles I acquired is ‘NZE’. As much as my people are happy and wants me to have them, it is a society that one is being initiated. I was initiated into Nze and I took the name Omemma. Most people don’t know my real name. It is for proper identification that I now coopted it into the main title.
Ozomma Omemma Enugwu-Ukwu n’Umunri represented my titles in full. I am a traditionalist; I have a programme here in Munich which I have managed for seven years. It is an award programme where I support teaching and learning of Igbo language. It is called Ozomma Award for Proficiency in Igbo Language and Good Behaviour. The objective of this programme is to courage children to speak Igbo language and learn the cultures of Igbo people. I am organising this programme at the venue of Igbo Language Catholic Mass. The church assisted in the provision of classroom where the children are taught the language. My wife is one of the teachers, there are other volunteer teachers. I am also a teacher in the school, but I handle a different subject. I teach Igbo culture, both material and immaterial cultures of Igbo people.
You have lived in Deutschland for decades, and in the midst of compulsory German integration programmes, what is it that made your love and devoutness to Igbo culture and tradition unaffected by the pressure to be German?
I have been resident in Munich Bayern since 1996. I have had the privileges of going through numerous Deutsch based educational programmes. However, these assimilation programmes have not done enough to alter my deep passion for culture and traditions of Ndi Igbo. I am very conscious of my lineage. I am literally carrying my family name on my shoulders. I carry it with dignity and satisfaction. It is said, “to whom much is given much is expected”. I believe strongly that your name and where you come from in the context of this discussion is important, particularly, when you have existing structures of solid influences. When you come to Enugwu-Ukwu once you mention the name Ifeacho Ibekwe all doors will open, figuratively speaking. The doors are opening because you are an Odogwu from a Great Family.
At this point it is essential I talk concisely about the life and character of my grandfather. As already alluded, he was a Warrant Chief of great reputation. He had 19 wives. In the Igbo tradition, Chiefs are people of great wealth and my grandfather was by the ramification, a man of great means. He had separate houses for the wives, subject to the standards of the time. My family is so large that it is about half of the population of Urukpaleke Village in Enugwu-Ukwu. My background is part of the reason why I always stay focussed being guided by a resolve not to dent the image. My belief is that you cannot mess-up the image of esteemed ancestry without severe consequences. As a believer in tradition, one is obliged to eschew whatever that is considered abominable.
So, whatever is the influences of the German culture, I am to a large extent the person I am. I have made efforts to ensure that whatever training my children are undergoing they are conscious of their privileged ancestry. Even when they were born in Germany, they were made to know that they not Germans but Ndi Igbo, from Enugwu-Ukwu. We need to leave behind legacies that are favourable to our culture and tradition. Today, there is an impression that Igbo Culture and Tradition are facing imminent dangers of extinction. We have a collective duty to play constructive roles in the preservation. There is an Igbo adage that says whoever abuses the old looses the privilege of the new.
What advice would you like to offer Ndi Anambra in Diaspora with respect to Think Home Philosophy with the increasing uncertainties of their investments outside the South East?
I am an advocate of Think Home Philosophy. This is not only in terms of commercial investments such as building houses or industries but also in terms of being mindful of the need to support the people who are less privileged. Even if your family is rich, remember your poor neighbours and extend hands of fellowship to them. This is an important component of thinking home. It is not necessarily about big industries, start from that little you can do. Surely, there is always what you can do to help. It is superstitious or rather defective logic to say that money given to the poor can be weaponised against you. This is an absolute nonsense. These beliefs, if possible, do not have influence on someone making legitimate efforts to earn his money. There is no way your help can be turned against you in this way. Is there no more God! There are multiple ways to help, choose the ones convenient to you.
Those who have ways and the means are encouraged to come home and invest. There are a couple of modest efforts we are making. My cousin in Canada recently established cottage industry. This is an impressive effort. It is important we re-channel our interest home wards. There is a programme we organise in Enugwu-Ukwu. Here we keep the children busy and productive during long vacations. The last years’ programme was sponsored by Prince (Dr.) Chinenye Ekpeh (Agbalanze II Enugwu-Ukwu N’Umunri). Prince Ekpeh lives in London but his impact is felt at home. We have a duty as individual and/or groups to work harder for a better Igbo society.
05:33/703/2024-M
