Igbo love Lagos and history is my witness, by Joe Igbokwe
I came to Lagos in 1971 after my Primary Education and returned to Nnewi in 1974 to go back to school. I left Okongwu Memorial Grammar School in 1979 and went the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1980 and finished in 1985. I did my Youth Service in Ogun State in 1985/1986 and then returned to Lagos to continue my journey till date. If you do the simple Arithmetic I would lived in Lagos for close to 38 years. Therefore I have seen it all here and know enough history in Lagos to tell a story of Igbo in Lagos. I am in a better position speak about Igbo in Lagos and what Lagos mean to them.
I have watched, studied, followed and seen Igbo thrived in Commerce and Industry in Lagos. Name them:
Ekulo Group
Ibeto Group
Chicason Group
Coscharis Group
Chisco Group
Clemco Group
Chardon Industry
Orange Drugs
Emzor Pharmaceuticals
Capital Oil & Gas
Sahara Energy
Brittenia U
Integrated oil
Chisco Energy
Nestoil group
Oil Serve
Chrome Oil
Masters Energy
Dozzy Oil
Nepal oil & Gas
Chipet oil
Rainoil
Mercyport Resources
Northwest
Eekeson
The Young Shall Group
GUO
Good Is Good Motors
Autostar
PMT
Ifesinachi Motors
Ekene Dili Chukwu Transport
ABC Transport
Frajen Ltd
Icon Nigeria
Denca Services
Gmeor etc.
Accord Addidas , and many countless and limitless number of Igbo businesses in Lagos which time and space will not permit me to recall here.
I have seen Igbo in Lagos developed the Multi billion naira Alaba International market in Ojo LGA.
I have seen Igbo in Lagos developed the multi billion naira Ladipo Spare parts Market.
I have seen Igbo in Lagos developed the multi billion naira Computer Village in Ikeja.
I have seen Igbo in Lagos developed the trillion naira ASPMDA, BALOGUN markets in the famous Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
I have seen Igbo in Lagos developed the multi billion naira Agric Building Material in Apapa Iganmu LCDA.
I have seen them built the multi billion naira BALOGUN Market in Lagos Island.
I am not talking about Tejuosho Market, Oyingbo Market, Lawanson Fridge & Air Conditioning markets in Lawanson and Oyingbo, Itire Volkswagen markets, Benz spare parts markets in Clegg Surulere, Trinity Apapa, Daleko and Otto Rice Markets etc.
One area Igbo have invested trillions in Lagos is Real Estate and Hospitality business. Go to Lekki, Aja , Amuwo Odofin, Ikeja, Satelite Town, Ojo, Festac Town, Ajao Estate, Okota, Surulere, Aguda, Coker, Orile, etc and see things for yourself. Let me stop here for now . What Igbo have in Lagos they do not have a quarter of it in Igboland. This is the reason Lagos is Igbo second home and they see it as such. Igbo do not joke with Lagos.
Igbo have a culture of developing anywhere they find themselves. They have done so in Abuja , the Federal Capital and even other cities in Nigeria . It is a culture, a tradition. Igbo have an adage : Ebe onye bi ka ona awachi (where you live you build and it is your home).
Therefore anybody who has Igbo blood flowing in him does not destroy. He builds anywhere he goes. Any Igbo who got involved in actions and deeds in the destruction of iconic buildings, monuments, historical buildings , assets, etc in Lagos does have Igbo blood and flesh in him. He or she should go and look for parents elsewhere. We reject them, we jettison them, we vomit them. It is not in our character , it is not in our blood , it is not in our culture, it is not in our gene, and it can never be.
Case Rested.
