IGBO FIRST: OUR IDENTITY MUST BE GREATER THAN STATE BOUNDARIES.
IGBO FIRST: OUR IDENTITY MUST BE GREATER THAN STATE BOUNDARIES.
Igbo identity comes first before the 13 states in Nigeria that Ndigbo are indigenous to which are Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Benue, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. We must stop putting our state identities above our Igbo identity.
Ndigbo must learn to love one another beyond state boundaries.
Imagine an Igbo region that unites all the Igbo people indigenous to the 13 Nigerian states, regardless of the state in which they currently reside. In such a vision of unity, our identity would no longer be limited by the political boundaries that separate our communities. Our strength would come from recognizing that we are one people, connected by our shared heritage, history, language, and identity.
State creation is good when it promotes development, representation, and effective governance. However, when state boundaries are allowed to define ethnic identity, they can become instruments of division. They can create mental barriers that make some Igbo people see themselves as separate from their brothers and sisters simply because they belong to different states.
We must understand that Nigerian states are political and administrative creations. They do not, by themselves, determine our ethnic identity. Being indigenous to Delta, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Benue, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, or any other state does not automatically make an Igbo person less Igbo.
Our identity is bigger than the state where we come from. Our unity must be stronger than the boundaries drawn on a political map.
The future of Ndigbo depends on our ability to look beyond state divisions, recognize one another, and work together for our collective progress. We can support state creation and development while refusing to allow political boundaries to destroy our sense of belonging.
Think Igbo first. Love Ndigbo beyond state boundaries. Let us build a united Igbo people across all 13 Nigerian states.
Igbo bu ofu!
