By Chinazaekpere Chinwendu
October 13, 2026 —
The honorable member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha, has called on the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) to intensify efforts towards addressing the socio-economic challenges confronting the Igbo nation, particularly youth unemployment, political marginalisation and economic disenfranchisement.
Aguocha made the call in an address delivered at the 2026 Annual Convention of AVID held in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America, in October 2026, where he outlined strategic measures the organisation could adopt to promote economic emancipation, political inclusion, peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in Igboland.
The federal lawmaker, who described his invitation to address the convention as a great honour and privilege, commended members of AVID for their service to humanity and their contributions to advocacy, noting that their military training,gv.
educational exposure and professional experience placed them in a strategic position to contribute meaningfully to the development of their ancestral homeland.
He acknowledged the growing frustration among Igbo youths, many of whom, he observed, had become disillusioned by persistent reminders of the Nigerian Civil War and its consequences. According to him, the experience of successive generations should not be reduced to a perpetual narrative of defeat, but transformed into a source of resilience, renewed purpose and constructive engagement.
Aguocha expressed confidence that the wealth of knowledge, discipline and skills acquired by AVID members through their exposure to advanced military and academic institutions could help reshape the outlook of young people in the South-East. He maintained that strategic mentorship, expanded opportunities and deliberate investments in human capital would help address hopelessness and redirect youthful energy towards productive ventures.
Under the theme of AVID as an instrument of reformation, the lawmaker urged the organisation to deploy its intellectual capacity and international connections towards building a sophisticated platform for economic emancipation and social transformation. He cited the Chinese diaspora as an example of how people living abroad could contribute to their homeland's development through technology transfer, capital investment and the mobilisation of resources for industrial growth.
Drawing lessons from China's economic transformation, Aguocha argued that members of the Igbo diaspora could help stimulate industrialisation and entrepreneurship in the South-East by facilitating foreign investment, introducing modern technologies and creating sustainable economic opportunities for young people.
On political and economic justice, the federal lawmaker commended AVID's advocacy on issues affecting the Igbo people, including concerns about religious persecution, ethnic profiling and the detention of Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He noted that the organisation's engagement with international institutions, the United States Congress and the White House had helped draw attention to issues requiring greater accountability and constructive intervention.
He, however, emphasised the need to address the underlying causes of youth agitation, arguing that the failure of successive Nigerian governments to sufficiently address the grievances arising from the Civil War and ensure the full integration of the Igbo people into the country's socio-economic and political structures had contributed to persistent discontent in the region.
Aguocha observed that the emergence of separatist movements and the subsequent deterioration of security in parts of the South-East had been accompanied by violence, economic disruption and political instability. He urged AVID to promote a constructive, non-violent and strategically focused approach that would address legitimate grievances while advancing long-term peace, stability and economic prosperity.
He further called on the organisation to help bridge divisions within the broader Igbo movement by providing mature leadership, strategic direction and a unifying framework capable of prioritising the collective interests of the people above internal disagreements. According to him, sustained progress would require a coordinated vision that combines advocacy with practical interventions in education, employment, industrial development and governance.
The lawmaker also urged AVID to strengthen its role as a legislative partner in youth development, proposing collaboration on policy initiatives that would promote the inclusion of young people and women in civic, political and economic affairs. He stressed that gainful employment, quality education and sustainable economic opportunities must remain central to efforts aimed at achieving meaningful socio-political progress.
Aguocha expressed readiness to welcome constructive proposals from AVID that could inform legislative interventions aimed at de-escalating tensions, strengthening public institutions, promoting accountability and creating pathways for qualified young professionals to assume leadership positions in Nigeria's political economy.
He also encouraged the organisation to explore partnerships that would advance good governance, combat corruption and foster peaceful coexistence among citizens. He proposed that future AVID conventions should include delegations of youth and women's organisations from Igboland, giving them a direct opportunity to participate in discussions on the region's future.
In his concluding remarks, Aguocha urged members of AVID to move beyond rhetoric and translate their advocacy into tangible interventions capable of improving the lives of people in their homeland. He emphasised that sustainable progress would depend on equipping young people with quality education, practical skills and viable economic opportunities.
The federal lawmaker cited the governance and development initiatives of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, as an example of the kind of leadership and institutional reforms that could support a stronger framework for public service and economic development.
He reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between diaspora communities, political leaders, legislators and grassroots stakeholders in building a prosperous and stable Igbo nation, while expressing hope that AVID would continue to play a leading role in advancing justice, development and constructive engagement.
Aguocha ended his address with prayers for AVID, the Igbo nation and the United States of America, reiterating the need for collective commitment to a future defined by peace, opportunity, inclusion and shared prosperity.