According to the report from the Vanguard, A former minister of Education and Health, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, believes that the South-East zone should prioritize collaborative efforts rather than individual pursuits in order to foster development. He urges the governors of the region to come together as a team for the benefit of the zone. Madubuike expresses concern over the lack of unity and cooperation among Igbo leaders, particularly the governors.
Madubuike highlights the absence of a communique after the South-East Economic Summit held in Owerri in 2023, despite the submission of well-researched papers by many intellectuals on the way forward for the region. He squarely places the blame for the region's challenges on the governors who have failed to pursue regional integration.
During the economic summit, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a prominent figure, acknowledged that the problems faced by the Igbo people are partly caused by internal conflicts and self-inflicted issues. Madubuike expresses disappointment that no agreed communique has been released from the summit. He further laments the lack of cohesion and cooperation among the governors, emphasizing that individual achievements are insufficient for the survival of the Igbo people. He stresses the need for collective efforts and unity.
Madubuike describes the current situation in Igbo land as tragic, comparing it to a headless state. He questions the direction and legacy that the current leaders want to leave behind. He reflects on his own tenure as Minister for Education in the Second Republic, where he initiated the establishment of institutions such as the Open University and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). He highlights the scarcity of private or state universities at the time and takes pride in his contributions to expanding educational opportunities in the region.
Madubuike criticizes the tokenism prevalent today, where positions are occupied without deserving them. He attributes the allocation of positions to the quota system, stating that without it, the Igbo people would receive very little representation. He mentions the concern over a potential Tinubu Presidency, suggesting that it may only provide the Igbo people with five ministerial positions, a number that has been met with silence.