The Chairman of the 40th anniversary celebration of the Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL), Eze Dr Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku, has urged traditional rulers and community leaders to end rivalry over titles and leadership, stressing the need for dialogue and mutual respect among Igbo communities.
Okparaku made the call while speaking at the 40th anniversary celebration of ISTDAL, where he said traditional institutions and cultural titles should promote unity, peace and development rather than become sources of division and personal competition.
“Our traditional titles, institutions and cultural practices should be instruments for promoting our heritage, unity, peace and development within our communities.
“They should never become sources of rivalry, intimidation, division or personal competition,” he said.
He also called for stronger relations between Igbo communities and their host communities in Lagos, urging Imo indigenes to respect the laws, institutions, traditions and people of the state while preserving their cultural identity.
Okparaku said Imo people had contributed significantly to the growth of Lagos through commerce, industry, education, healthcare, engineering, law, technology, transportation and entrepreneurship.
He appealed to the Lagos State Government to create more opportunities for Imo indigenes to contribute to the development of the state, saying the community was seeking inclusion and opportunity rather than privilege.
“We seek not exclusion, but inclusion. We seek not privilege, but opportunity,” he said.
The chairman equally urged the governments of Imo and Lagos states to strengthen collaboration with ISTDAL and other community institutions in areas including investment, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, cultural preservation and community development.
He said such partnerships would deepen cooperation and create opportunities for communities and younger people.
Reflecting on ISTDAL’s history, Okparaku said the association, established in 1986, had evolved into an umbrella body for registered Town Unions of Imo indigenes in Lagos State.
He said the association was initially established to mobilise resources towards the realisation of an airport in Owerri, following a vision initiated during the administration of Major-General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu.
According to him, the collective effort eventually contributed to the development of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, named after the first civilian governor of Old Imo State.
He said ISTDAL’s history demonstrated that unity of purpose could transform collective vision into tangible development.
Okparaku said the association had, over four decades, promoted unity, cultural identity, development and stronger bonds among Imo communities in Lagos and other parts of the South-West.
He commended the Imo State Government for its support to the people of Orsu Local Government Area during the period of insecurity and acknowledged the contribution of the Odimma Orsu Initiative to efforts aimed at tackling insecurity and protecting communities.
The chairman appealed to the Imo Government to remember individuals who contributed their time, resources and personal commitment towards protecting Orsu communities during the difficult period.
He also called on traditional rulers, community leaders and Igbo leadership groups to put aside personal interests and resolve disagreements through consultation and dialogue.
Okparaku stressed that the younger generation must remain central to ISTDAL’s future, calling for greater investment in education, businesses, mentorship, skills acquisition and leadership development.
He urged Imo indigenes to also contribute to the development of their ancestral communities through investments in education, healthcare, employment, infrastructure and youth empowerment.
The chairman commended ISTDAL for using the anniversary to honour its heroes, distinguished sons and daughters, patrons and others who had contributed to the development of Imo communities.
He said the 40th Anniversary Edition of Imo Searchlight Magazine would document the history of ISTDAL and the contributions of individuals who had supported its growth.
Okparaku described the anniversary theme and ISTDAL’s motto, “Unity, Peace and Development,” as a reflection of the values required to sustain the association and its communities.
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He said the 40th anniversary should mark the beginning of stronger unity, deeper cooperation, youth empowerment and greater partnership between Imo and Lagos states.
He congratulated ISTDAL on four decades of service and wished Imo State, Lagos State and Nigeria continued prosperity.
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