The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has urged the federal government to reopen eastern coastal ports to boost the economic development of the region.
NewsNGR reports that some of the ports are located at Bonny, Opobo and Port Harcourt.
WIC stated this in a communiqué issued at the end of the WIC’s 2026 Annual Convention held in Austin, Texas, United States, from September 3 to 6. It was signed by its Chair, Festus Okere, and Secretary, Chris Ogara. The convention, hosted by the Igbo Peoples Congress in Austin, was held under the theme, “Igbo Jikota Onu Kwadosie Ike”, meaning “Igbo Unity of Purpose.”
According to the communique, issues discussed by the delegates during the conference included political, economic, security, cultural, legal and developmental challenges facing Ndigbo. They resolved that collective interests should take precedence over political affiliations, personal ambitions, state loyalties and other divisions.
WIC called for greater unity among Ndigbo and a coordinated strategy to address security, economic, political and cultural challenges confronting the Igbo people in Nigeria and the Diaspora.
The communique read in part, “The challenges confronting Ndigbo require a coordinated and sustained strategy built on unity, collective responsibility, economic empowerment, security, cultural preservation, political engagement, institutional development, and accountable leadership.”
It also advocated the development of integrated transportation infrastructure linking the coast with the hinterland and Middle Belt. Such investments, WIC noted, would help restore maritime access to the Atlantic, stimulate commerce and strengthen regional economic growth.
Another issue discussed during the conference is the proposed Wealth-Building Igbo Federal Credit Union. The group noted that it would help create financial institutions capable of supporting entrepreneurship and productive enterprises.
Quoting the source, “The convention reaffirmed the importance of creating strong and durable Igbo-controlled financial and economic institutions capable of supporting entrepreneurship, financing productive enterprises, and expanding economic opportunities across generations.”
The organisation further declared its support to the proposed Biafra Memorial Museum Project, noting that historical records relating to the Nigeria-Biafra civil war should be preserved for future generations. The delegates therefore called on Ndigbo worldwide to support efforts to preserve historical records, oral histories, photographs, documents, artefacts and testimonies relating to the period.
WIC also decried the erosion of the Igbo language, culture and identity, and stressed the need for their preservation. It called on Igbo parents to deliberately speak Igbo with their children and transmit Igbo values, customs, history and traditions.
The communique added, “Delegates emphasized that a people cannot preserve their collective identity if the language through which that identity is transmitted is allowed to disappear.”
The group bemoaned what it called injustice against Ndigbo in the Nigeria structure. It said there were cases of discriminatory treatment, selective justice, bigotry, political marginalisation and unequal application of state power against Igbo individuals and interests, adding that “injustice against any Igbo person should concern all Ndigbo”.
It recommended sustained dialogues in finding solutions to peculiar problems facing the Igbo.
The communique read, “WIC therefore calls for sustained strategic dialogues on the security of Alaigbo rather than fragmented and reactive responses to crises.”
On future constitutional arrangements in Nigeria, the group said the boundaries of any proposed regions should take into account ethnicity, history, language, culture and the consent of the people rather than being based solely on existing state boundaries.
It said future constitutional arrangements should also consider territorial contiguity, minority rights, economic viability, maritime access and democratic consent.
The WIC called on Ndigbo to “transcend internal divisions, resist discrimination and bigotry, demand accountability from leadership, defend the legitimate rights of Igbo people, strengthen Alaigbo economically and institutionally, preserve Igbo civilization for succeeding generations, and work collectively toward a secure, prosperous and dignified future.”
