OPEN LETTER
ONE AGWA, ONE VISION: THE IMPERATIVE OF UNITY IN DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT
Copied To:
Agwa Central Union (ACU)
Agwa Diaspora Forum (ADF)
Council of Agwa Traditional Rulers
Agwa Leaders of Thought
Agwa Youth Organizations
Agwa Women Organizations
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
Dear Leaders and Sons and Daughters of Agwa,
According to the late Bernard Iroegbu (of blessed memory), "Until Agwa sons and daughters stop working across collective purpose, we won't achieve much as a clan." Those timeless words remain profoundly relevant today. They remind us that Agwa's strength lies not in the number of associations bearing its name but in the unity of purpose that binds its people together.
The recent circulation on social media of a group identifying itself as "Ndi-Agwa Diaspora Community (Onye Aghala Nwanneya)" has raised genuine questions among many concerned Agwa sons and daughters. The foremost question is simple: Where has this association been since 2021?
If the body has indeed existed for several years, it is fair for the community to ask what visible contributions it has made to Agwa's development, security, education, welfare, peace-building and cultural advancement during some of the most challenging periods in our recent history. This question is not intended to deny anyone the constitutional right to freedom of association. Rather, it is raised in the interest of transparency, accountability and, above all, the unity of our clan.
For decades, Agwa people have recognized the Agwa Diaspora Forum Worldwide (ADF) as the umbrella platform for Agwa indigenes abroad. Under the leadership of High Chief Sir Prof. Humphrey Chukwuemeka Ugo Ugwumba I of Agwa Clan-Ahaejiejemba of Azara Obiato Ancient Kingdom, and Dr. Alwell Maduakolam, the Forum has maintained visible engagement with community affairs in partnership with the Agwa Central Union (ACU).
Among its notable contributions are: funding over 70% of the rebuilding of the Agwa Police Division, supporting community security programmes, committing to pay 50% of the salaries of the 30-man Central Vigilante Corps (CVC) pending government intervention, and participating in the widening of the Agwa-Ejemekwuru Road. Significantly, these efforts have reportedly been sustained by only 10 Agwa diasporans, despite the much larger Agwa diaspora population and repeated appeals for wider participation.
Likewise, the Agwa Central Union (ACU), under its President-General, Mr. Nduka Ozor, continues to serve as the apex socio-cultural organization coordinating development efforts across the clan.
Against this background, the emergence or renewed visibility of another diaspora platform naturally raises concerns. History teaches that communities make lasting progress when they speak with one voice, while parallel structures pursuing similar objectives without coordination often create misunderstanding, duplication of efforts and unnecessary rivalry.
As the African proverb reminds us, "When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion." Likewise, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." These are enduring principles of community development.
If the reported Ndi-Agwa Diaspora Community exists merely as a social or friendship association, there is absolutely nothing objectionable about that. However, where any organization seeks to project itself as representing Agwa people in the diaspora or assumes responsibilities already vested in an existing umbrella body, such actions deserve thoughtful reflection and dialogue.
This concern is even more important considering the difficult moments Agwa has experienced in recent years. During periods of insecurity and developmental challenges, the community relied on coordinated leadership and collective action. It is therefore understandable that many would ask whether every organization using the Agwa identity has equally shared those responsibilities.
This letter is therefore a respectful appeal for unity rather than division. The leadership of ACU should continue providing guidance on organizations operating in the name of Agwa, while ADF should keep its doors open to every Agwa son and daughter willing to contribute to the progress of the clan. The Council of Traditional Rulers, Leaders of Thought, youth and women organizations should equally encourage dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation.
As Psalm 133:1 reminds us: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Unity remains the foundation of lasting development.
The objective is not to silence anyone or discourage lawful associations but to prevent unnecessary fragmentation of our collective voice. It is respectfully suggested that the promoters of the reported Ndi-Agwa Diaspora Community engage the leadership of ACU and ADF to strengthen existing structures rather than multiply representative platforms.
As another African saying reminds us, "A broom is unbreakable because many sticks are bound together."
Equally worthy of reflection is this concern: "Unity, they say is strength and fragmenting and forming mushroom splinter parallel Diaspora groups outside Nigeria (instead of joining the ADF to build up its membership to enable even more robust future Agwa development, is misplaced, ill-motivated and an example of the typical divide-and-rule pull-them-down primitive character of some Agwa elements that has continued to hinder Agwa unity and strength politically and developmentally till today."
Similarly, it has been argued that: "This faceless Ndi-Agwa Diaspora Community modus, a seeming replay of the ACDU splinter group that threatened unsuccessfully the good works of the ACU, must be loudly condemned by all well-meaning Agwa indigenes before it dampens the zeal of the dedicated 10 Agwa diasporans who have remained steadfast in identifying with whatever challenges Agwa is facing so far."
May we reject every tendency that weakens our collective aspirations and embrace every opportunity that strengthens our unity.
ON AGWA DIASPORA FORUM WORLDWIDE, AGWA STANDS: WHERE HAS THE NDI-AGWA DIASPORA COMMUNITY BEEN SINCE 2021?
A word is enough for the wise.
Agwa Must Be Better in Our Time.
Respectfully,
John Mbonu Uchenwoke-Ekperechi
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Inside Agwa News (IAN)
