Oganihu Ndiigbo: through the social-existential forces of Ikeoha and Ikeotuonye

Abstract

‘Oganihu Ndiigbo’ is an ontological drive in being Igbo. The survival and sustenance of the race have been the pre-occupation of every Igbo generation from time immemorial. In ancient times, this drive is expressed in its microcosmic form in the various interclan clashes and boundary disputes aimed at preserving the parochial city-states which had little or no socio-political connection with each other. With the colonial arrangements, this microcosmic consciousness bloomed into a pan-Igbo drive for the social welfare of Ndiigbo. The post-war Igbo experience brought forth yet another dimension of this existential character of the Igbo which could be seen in what Eteng (2002) referred to as “selfhelp”. Many Igbo communities lived and provided social amenities and good governance for their people like there was no government. This article traces two moments of the social forces of Ikeoha and Ikeotuonye in the Igbo trajectory towards Oganihu Ndiigbo and proffers ways of harnessing them.