Igbo Background

Good evening honourable ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to have the honour to give a toast of "Prosperity to the Royal Colonial Institute" as I confess to you my honest intentions towards the Igbo culture.

 Looking back in history, it is clear how the Bight of Biagra allows us to penetrate the inferior of Igboland for our own interests. This includes certain interest groups that pushed Europe cultural, commercial and influence into the African interior with the sole purpose of trade and the politics of abolition. Although we perceive this as prosperous economical, social and political gain for Africa, we ignore the fact that colonisation destructs their culture, communities and civilisation. Our inherit supremacy allows us to neglect the contextual significance of Africa and continue to shed blood as our main purpose is driven by global expansion. We ironically preach superlative civilisation yet continue to dehumanise certain civilisations as we believe we are doing a virtue for them when in reality, they could be doing a favour for us. Instead of being in denial, we have to accept the notion that there is no one way of living but rather, many ways. By believing in this, we will be open-minded towards the Igbo culture and respect and learn certain cultural values.

Change. Igbo people appreciate change and constantly expect it as they believe that the world is a "market place and it is subject to bargain". So instead of accepting such a transparent living society, we blindly watch the demolishment of such a harmonic and peaceful society shattering in our own hands? Wake up. We need to be able to enhance our civilisation and use its superiority for the most beneficial reasons. It is our responsibility to build upon our civilisation independently without the assimilation of the Igbo culture. We shall not suppress, we shall champion the Igbo culture. We shall not destroy, it is our duty to nourish the Igbo society by watering their seeds. As long as we are alive, we have the right to appreciate and acknowledge the effectiveness of the Igbo society. 

Diplomacy. Our fathers should take into consideration the cross-cutting ties of such extremely democratic government that function effectively with no centralised government. Through the lens of an Igbo man, without status he is not perceived as a man anymore. The Igbo society were so organised and family oriented, it is difficult to find something wrong about it. For example, the Oto Umo Ada were an association of women that regulated meetings with the purpose of good will, mutual respect and diplomacy. Such system establishes the effectiveness of the Igbo society and how well-developed their civilisation is.

It seems to me that we have the obligiation as being Great Britain to illuminate and spread our advancement worldwide however, without being so patriotic. We should dread the thought of being called a "wicked man" but rather should strive to be known as a "valuable man" whom cares for the Igbo civilisation. Blood shed, terror and destruction is not what we want to be remembered for. We have to live up to our British Empire and become role models for our future children.