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| Image: Daily Post |
Nollywood veteran, Kanayo O. Kanayo, recently shared his views on Nigeria's future and the role of the Igbo people in a candid discussion on 'The Honest Bunch' podcast. The actor emphasized that Nigeria would start progressing as a country the day a person of Igbo ethnic extraction becomes the president. He argued that the “Igbophobia” preventing the Igbos from ascending to the presidency is merely a figment of imagination.
Kanayo elaborated on what being an Igbo and a Nigerian means to him, highlighting the unique qualities and contributions of the Igbo people. “Being an Igbo means that I come from a side of the country that speaks a dialect just like the Hausas, Fulani, and others,” he said. He expressed pride in the Igbo entrepreneurial spirit, stating that everything they touch prospers, likening them to the Jews of this part of the world.
He also addressed the envy and resentment that the success of the Igbo people often generates, pointing out their ability to transform small businesses into thriving enterprises within a short period. “An Igbo man starts his business with a kiosk today, give him the next one year, he turns it into a shop. From a kiosk to a shop,” he said.
Kanayo criticized the division and nepotism in Nigeria, advocating for the abolition of the state of origin as a criterion for employment and other opportunities. “What has it got to do with state of origin when you’re employing somebody? It’s the IQ we’re looking for,” he argued.
He lamented that the Igbo people are often judged by their ethnic background rather than their capabilities and contributions. “Being Igbo has become an endangered species. Because I’m now judged by where I come from, not by what I have to offer,” he noted.
Kanayo also referenced historical prejudices and ongoing political and economic marginalization, citing examples of public statements that perpetuate distrust and discrimination against the Igbos. He called for a shift in mindset, emphasizing that the Igbos are integral to the fabric of Nigeria and contribute significantly to its development.
Addressing fears that an Igbo president might lead to secession, he dismissed such concerns as unfounded. “The fear of the Igbo man that ‘in 1967, Ojukwu declared a succession, if you give them that opportunity again they will secede,’ is only imaginary,” he said. He highlighted the Igbos' investments and properties across Nigeria, underscoring their commitment to the nation.
Kanayo concluded by asserting that the day an Igbo man becomes the president of Nigeria, the country will realize its true potential and economic strength. “The day you give an Igbo man the presidency of this country, that is the day Nigeria will discover why it is Nigeria. Economically, people would begin to say Hallelujah,” he stated.
Source: Daily Post
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