AKU RUO UNO (THINK HOME) PHILOSOPHY AND THE INDUSTRIALISATION OF SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Igboland contains the highest percentage of persons who typify the classical capitalist myth of rags to riches in Nigeria. They have the ability to convert hopeless adversity to astounding wealth or success within a very short time without depending on government patronage and handouts. Overtime, especially after the civil war the Igbo man has suffered and is still suffering the consequences of the war which include amongst others, marginalization both in political and economic integration, lack of federal government presence in the region, and to make matters worse, the Igbo is forced to migrate outside his region in attempt to survive from the hardship caused by government neglect of Igboland. The Igbo man, out of sheer ingenuity, entrepreneurism and adventurous spirit have prospered, blossomed and advanced their economic fortunes in the midst of daunting challenges and stark marginalisation in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the Southeast does not have a functioning and operational industrial cluster. Unfortunately, most of the industrial layouts have been converted to estates. This paper examines the transformative role of the Aku Ruo Uno philosophy in the industrialization of the Southeast Nigeria with particular focus on Issues and challenges such as the unity, political will, infrastructure, security, etc., in the region. The paper is exploratory and qualitative in nature, while descriptive in analysis. Anchoring our discourse on the developmental state theory, findings amongst others revealed that; in terms of private contribution to national wealth, the Igbos all over the country account for a far greater percentage of the non-oil Gross National Product than any other ethnic group in Nigeria; 'with little or no government assistance, the Igbo have moved from trade to industry since the end of the civil war' and has contributed to the development of other regions of the country except the Southeast regions where they are from. The paper equally recommends that; the successes that have been achieved by the Igbo people through their entrepreneurial achievements can be replicated in the Southeast region under the Aku ru Uno philosophy, by engaging in massive industrialization of the region in partnership with the government and other critical stakeholders within and outside the Southeast states.