LAGOS/Nigeria: The Chairman of the 40th anniversary celebration of the Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL), Eze Dr Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku, has called on traditional rulers and community leaders to prioritise dialogue, unity and peaceful cooperation in resolving disputes within Igbo communities.
Okparaku made the call while addressing guests at the association’s 40th anniversary celebration, where he reflected on ISTDAL’s history and the role of Imo indigenes in Lagos over the past four decades.
He said the anniversary provided an opportunity not only to celebrate ISTDAL’s achievements but also to examine how its institutions could remain relevant to a younger generation and contribute more effectively to community development.
According to him, ISTDAL, established in 1986, has served as an umbrella organisation for registered town unions representing Imo communities in Lagos.
He said the association emerged at a time when Imo indigenes in Lagos sought to mobilise collective resources and pursue development initiatives, citing the campaign that contributed to the development of the airport project in Owerri.
The Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport was initiated under the administration of Imo’s first civilian governor, Chief Sam Mbakwe, and was later completed and commissioned in 1994. Historical accounts also describe the project as having benefited from contributions by indigenes and supporters of the state.
Okparaku said the history of ISTDAL demonstrated what could be achieved when communities worked around a common objective, stressing that the same spirit should guide its next phase.
He also highlighted the contributions of Imo indigenes to Lagos in areas including commerce, industry, education, healthcare, engineering, law, technology, transportation and entrepreneurship.
The ISTDAL chairman urged Imo indigenes resident in Lagos to remain committed to the laws and institutions of their host state while preserving their cultural heritage.
He equally advocated closer cooperation between the Imo and Lagos state governments and community organisations such as ISTDAL, saying stronger institutional relationships could support investment, education, healthcare, youth development, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.
Okparaku also used the occasion to acknowledge efforts aimed at addressing insecurity in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, commending the state government and the Odimma Orsu Initiative for their roles in efforts to restore normalcy.
The Odimma Orsu Initiative, chaired by Okparaku, has previously been involved in advocacy and community-led efforts concerning insecurity and recovery in the area. Reports on the initiative have documented its calls for stronger security intervention and cooperation between communities, government and security agencies.
He appealed to the Imo State Government to remember individuals who contributed resources and personal efforts towards protecting communities during the period of insecurity.
Turning to community leadership, Okparaku cautioned traditional rulers and Igbo community leaders against allowing disputes over titles, positions or influence to undermine relationships within the wider community.
He urged leaders to resolve disagreements through consultation and dialogue, arguing that traditional institutions should strengthen cultural identity and community development rather than become sources of division.
“Our traditional titles, institutions and cultural practices should be instruments for promoting our heritage, unity, peace and development within our communities,” he said.
Okparaku also called for continued accommodation of legitimate Igbo cultural expressions by the Lagos State Government and host communities, while stressing that cultural identity should be exercised within the framework of the laws and established institutions of Lagos State.
He said the future of ISTDAL should increasingly focus on young people, with greater attention to education, entrepreneurship, mentorship, skills development and leadership opportunities.
According to him, the recognition of individuals and organisations that have contributed to the development of Imo communities was one of the significant aspects of the anniversary celebration.
He said the 40th anniversary edition of Imo Searchlight Magazine would provide a record of ISTDAL’s history and highlight people whose contributions helped shape the association and its communities.
Okparaku described the anniversary as a point from which the association could pursue stronger cooperation, youth inclusion and deeper partnerships between Imo communities in Lagos and institutions in both states.
He congratulated ISTDAL on its 40 years of existence and said the association’s motto — “Unity, Peace and Development” — remained relevant to the challenges and aspirations of its members.
