By Emmanuel Enebeli
WARRI/Nigeria: The President-General of Ndokwa Neku Union, Amechi Asugwuni, has identified disunity and the absence of a shared vision as major factors responsible for the slow pace of development in Ndokwa communities, warning that fragmentation continues to weaken the region’s political relevance and socio-economic prospects.
Asugwuni made the assertion while delivering a lecture titled “Ndokwa’s Unity: A Necessary Strategy for Growth” at a virtual programme organised by the Association of Ndokwa Professionals in Academia, where he said his position was drawn from years of observation, research and engagement with leaders and stakeholders both within Nigeria and in the diaspora.
“Disunity manifests in subtle but damaging ways — unhealthy competition, mistrust and reluctance to support collective initiatives,” he stated. “Fragmented voices rarely attract serious attention from policymakers, and without unity our negotiating strength with governments and development partners remains weak.”
The lecture, hosted by Julie Umukoro and anchored by Harrison Atagana, Ruth Epochi-Olise, and Rosel Etuwe, brought together Ndokwa professionals and stakeholders from across continents, with Sam Enudi serving as communicator for the event.
The speaker stressed that unity must be deliberate and sustained rather than temporary or situational, cautioning that communities that unite only when convenient often miss opportunities that require long-term planning and strategic collaboration. According to him, development is rarely granted to divided societies, making consensus building an essential responsibility of leadership.
He further argued that the absence of a collective agenda has made it difficult for Ndokwa communities to attract infrastructure, investment and political concessions, noting that progress is more likely when stakeholders speak with one voice. “Leaders must prioritise consensus above personal influence if we truly desire transformation,” he said.
Asugwuni also highlighted the need for strong institutional frameworks capable of enforcing accountability and ensuring continuity irrespective of leadership changes. Such structures, he explained, prevent instability and guarantee that development efforts do not depend solely on individuals.
“Sustainable progress can only be achieved when systems are stronger than personalities,” he said, warning that societies built around individuals often collapse once those figures leave the scene, whereas institutions provide structure, transparency and collective ownership of decisions.
He cautioned that nepotism, favouritism and loyalty-driven decision-making erode trust and weaken unity, urging leaders to adopt transparent processes, fair representation and inclusive dialogue in community affairs. Respect for institutions, he added, is a defining feature of mature and progressive societies.
The Ndokwa leader concluded by urging stakeholders to confront internal divisions honestly and commit to a shared vision for the region, insisting that long-term prosperity depends largely on the people’s willingness to act collectively. “History remembers societies that institutionalise progress, not those that personalise it,” he said.
