‘Why we set up Igbo body in SWITZERLAND’

By Sun News Publishing
Sunday, October 15, 2006

On Saturday, 23 September 2006, the Igbo Community in Switzerland launched an umbrella organisation, Ndigbo Switzerland, at the Palladium City Hall in Geneva. The occasion was graced by some prominent Nigerians, including the interim Chairman of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, retd Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, eminent jurist, retd Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, Dr ABC Orjiako, Tony Idigbe (SAN), and Dr John Otu, the representative of the Ebonyi State Governor, Dr Sam Egwu.

The Association’s President General, Dr Cyril Uchenna Gwam-Odogwu, spoke about the Association in this interview with Ethelbert Okere who was in Geneva. EXCERPS:

You are the President General of Ndigbo Switzerland. Of course, you must be aware that there exist so many Igbo Associations all over the world. In fact, some people describe it as a proliferation.

What new thing is your Association bringing into the collective search by Ndigbo for a better place in Nigeria?

I would like to put it this way: You know Switzerland is the rallying point of the whole world. Geneva is the home of international diplomacy. There is no week representatives of different countries of the world are not in Geneva for one conference or the other. And these include Nigerian Government officials and professionals. President Obasanjo has visited here over four times since he came into office.

So, there would always be the opportunity and forum for us to sell our views to such people who come here either to represent the Nigerian Government or the private sector. We can lobby them on behalf of our people. Over 80% of our members are professionals. We would always meet these representatives. We would always interact with them and in the process put in words for our people. That is where we think we have a unique advantage. Switzerland is a clearing house and we feel that our people, Ndi Igbo, should take advantage of the presence of the many professionals of Igbo extraction living in this country.

Does your Association have a link with Ohaneze Ndi Igbo back home in Nigeria?

Yes. We have a strong tie with Ohaneze through Ndigbo Lagos. Of course, as I said earlier, the interim Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Admiral Kanu, was here for the launching of our Association. He could only have come because they know and recognize our existence.

What is the major objective of Ndigbo Switzerland?

First, is to bring all Igbos in Switzerland together and in order to present a better image for Ndi Igbo in this country. At the moment, a lot of Igbos are in prison in Switzerland, for one offence or the other. It came to a point where, if you say you are Igbo someone would say: “Ah Igbo? The Yoruba are better”. Such things. But the irony is that we have highly and respected Igbos here in Switzerland. Many of us are professionals, diplomats working in international organizations, in banks and in reputable law firms. So, one of our objectives is to let our host community and others living this country realize that such professionals of Igbo extraction, who are highly qualified and respected, also exist.

What is the population of Igbos in Switzerland?

We are about 4,000.

Are they all members of your Association?

Not necessarily so. At the moment, we have about 40 individual members and 16 group members. Some of the group members, in turn, have hundreds of members under them. However, every individual or group-member has only one vote each. I must hasten to add that application for membership is thoroughly screened by a committee charged with the responsibility of ensuring that only quality members are admitted into the Association.

Does that not sound elitist?

Not at all. As I told you earlier, our objective is to present before Switzerland and the rest of Europe that the Igbos can also boast of the best like any other group within and outside Nigeria. Once that is established, we can then work towards a full integration of every Igbo man or woman into an all inclusive organization of Igbos in Switzerland who can hold their heads high at anytime, anywhere in Switzerland and beyond.

In other words, are you thinking of a process of rehabilitating and re-orientating those deviants, particularly those who found themselves in prison?

Precisely. This is our objective. At the end of the day they are our brothers and it is our responsibility to help re-integrate them into the society so that they can live normal lives and be of help to Switzerland and our home country, Nigeria.

You were able to attract some prominent Igbo personalities to the inauguration. Did you have to do all that considering that you are new and the cost implication of playing host to such caliber of people?

Well, we believe that what is worth doing is worth doing well. We believe in making an impact from the beginning. You asked before how we intend to make a difference. We are determined to make an impressive beginning. And I am happy we were able to achieve that. The presence of the highly respected Justice Oputa who was the guest lecturer made a lot of impact. Not just his presence but the ebullient manner he presented his lecture impressed quite a lot of our guests. We believe we can build on the mileage we achieved last Saturday.

Switzerland is a rather small country. How do you intend to make an impact amongst Igbos living in other parts of Europe?

Yes, in terms of population, Switzerland is a small country. But you know that it is a major financial, diplomatic and economic player in the world. Switzerland is the most financially liquid country in the world. Geneva banks alone have trillions of dollars in their vaults. As I told you earlier, Geneva is the home of international diplomacy. All major conferences are held in Geneva. Last year alone, Geneva hosted 7,656 international conferences and peace talks followed by New York with about 3, 889. In other words, Switzerland is a point of convergence for leaders and professionals from all parts of the globe.

So, I would not be wrong in saying that Ndigbo Switzerland can also act as a rallying point for all Igbos in the Diaspora. As I noted in my address, we are already making contacts with the current leaders of the World Igbo Congress to host the next convention here in Switzerland. I think we have what it takes to play a leading role in meeting the collective aspiration of Ndi Igbo wherever they may be.

In your welcome address, you spoke of plans to build an Igbo house in Geneva. Is that not too ambitious?
It is not too ambitious. Mind you, it is not something we want to do over night. But I can assure you that it is something that is quite feasible, something that is very close to our hearts. The proposed Igbo House will, for example, provide facilities for Igbo children born here to learn the Igbo language and culture. This is very important to us because there are so many children of Igbo and Swiss parents here. We intend to offer them the opportunity to become familiar with their origin.

Who is Dr. Cyril Uchenna Gwam-Odogwu?

Cyril Uchenna Gwam-Odogwu is a native of Asaba in Delta State. I attended St Patricks College Asaba, the Universities of Benin and Ife both in Nigeria. Thereafter I proceeded to Leicester University for Post Graduate studies, later went to Prinston, Harvard and San Remo. I have a Ph.D in lnternational Law with a specialization in International Environmental law. I am currently working with a United Nations specialized agency called World Meteorological Organization. I am Training and Fellowship Officer. My parents are Mrs Rose Gwam-Odogwu and Chief Sonny Iwedike Odogwu.