Chief Iwuanyanwu, who revealed the information in a conversation with one of our correspondents on Monday night, asserted that the South East merited a working sea port in light of the region’s significant investment and participation in trade and commerce.

He expressed confidence that initiatives to involve the required parties in the idea would be effective.

“We’ll be constructing additional cities in Igbo land very soon. We also anticipate a seaport.  Before I pass away, we want Igbo land to be beautiful and our children to be proud of Igbo territory”.

Chief Iwuanyanwu said Ohanaeze was dedicated to providing the environment needed to revive the optimism in Igbo youths after expressing concern about their frustration.

He made a passionate appeal to Igbo youngsters to maintain peace and their innovative spirit, which had helped them survive over the years even under difficult circumstances.

“We want to provide our youth with hope and a future so that they would be proud of us and Igbo land even after we are gone.

“The time has come for us to alter history and leave the next generation with a lasting legacy.

We can’t wait any longer; we need to industrialize our land. The moment has come”, Iwuanyanwu stated.

Further hints from Chief Iwuanyanwu suggested that the dormant Nkalagu cement industry would start up again before the year is through.

The committee, which he had earlier established with that objective, had, he claimed, achieved tremendous advancements.

He claimed that the South East could provide all of Africa with cement because of the region’s abundant supply of limestone, which serves as the primary raw material  for the production of cement.

“In the South East, limestone is plentiful. Cement production in Nkalagu will shortly resume. Cement can be sent to all of Africa”

Chief Iwuanyanwu bemoaned the South East’s lack of a functioning gas industry or oil refinery despite the region’s vast oil reserves.

“We are located on top of the largest gas reservoir in Africa in Igbo land. They must be improved in order to offer our youngsters employment opportunities”.

Chief Iwuanyanwu made hints about big plans for the agricultural sector, similar to the agricultural revolution led by the late Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara.

“With just agriculture, we can get by without even using any oil. Igbo would emerge as the glory of Africa by the time we launch our agricultural revolution”.

Chief Iwuanyanwu also alluded to Ohanaeze’s aspirations to revitalize Igbo culture and turn it into a significant export for the nation, noting that a committee led by the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Alfred Achebe, had already been established to make such goals possible.