ETHNIC SLUR NARRATIVE AGAINST ASIMPIN LEADERSHIP MISLEADING
By Mcanthony Onuoha
The Headquarters of Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria- ASIMPIN has vehemently condemned a sponsored online publication by Daily Trend, titled “Allegation of Financial Misappropriation Rock ASIMPIN, Members Drag PG, Tincan Chair Over Ethnic Segregation” published on 30/05/2026, describing it as a calculated smear campaign against the unblemished image of the President General, HRH, Eze Amb. Damian Emeka Obianigwe KSM, JP.
HRH Eze Amb. Damian Emeka Obianigwe KSM,JP, President General of ASIMPIN.
ASIMPIN Headquarters is shocked by the misleading allegations of ethnic slur being bandied by the sponsors of the smear campaign.
To put the record straight, the word “Okalauzo” or “Etiti Uzo” in Igbo parlance is never a derogatory word, and does not in any form or shape mean outcast or second class, but means “half way” or “middle of the road”. And it is a general parlance that South Easterners use to describe exactly where they are whenever they are traveling from Lagos to East or vice versa, as they assume that getting to Edo/Delta as they journey back home or coming back to Lagos is half way. That is why they refer the people from Edo and Delta states as “Ndi Okalauzo” or “Ndi Etiti-uzo”, it is never a derogatory word as postulated in the publication. The word neither strips the good people of Anioma of their Igbo ancestry nor portrays them as Non aboriginals, never!
Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria- ASIMPIN, is an umbrella body for all Igbo speaking ethnic groups in Nigeria irrespective of state of origin. So long as it is an Igbo speaking ethnicity in Benue, Edo, Delta, Ebonyi, Kogi, Cross River, Rivers, Abia, Anambra, Imo. ASIMPIN is for all the Igbo speaking ethnic groups in Nigeria.
It is on record that one of the illustrious sons of Anioma Nation, and a prominent maritime practitioner, Prince Ozo Felix Chukwurah of blessed memory, was one of the founding fathers of Igbo Maritime Forum, which is today, Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria- ASIMPIN, and remained its Deputy President General till he died. The vacuum is yet to be filled. If the association is founded by an Anioma indigene, what is the intent of the narrative of ethnic colouration being peddled around, is it for unification or disintegration?
However, it is imperative to state categorically clear and without equivocation, that the President General of Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria is highly detribalised and has never at one time or the other indulged or given consent to tribal segregation or prejudice of any form or shade. The PG is a liberal mind, and has overtime, conducted himself as a leader of very rare pedigree with enviable administrative ingenuity cum organizational record.
Associating the personality of His Royal Highness with ethnic slur is not only defaming but smacks of sheer disrespect to a leader who has invested selfessly in the unity and continued progress of Igbo ethnic nationalities in the maritime sector.
Aside being the PG of ASIMPIN, HRH, Eze Amb. Damian Emeka Obianigwe, KSM, JP, is saddled with many leadership responsibilities.
He is Chairman, FANO Group, and because of his administrative skills, he is the Acting Chairman, Orlu Zonal Council of Traditional Rulers, and others numerous to mention.
ASIMPIN members close to the PG, including those who are sponsoring smear campaign against his personality, by associating him with ethnic slur can attest to the liberality and accommodating disposition of the PG, and none of them can boldly deny the fact that he at one time or the other had benefited from his benevolence.
Wilfully dragging the revered PG into an internal issue at Chapter level is not only insulting, but roundly defamatory and intended to expose him to hatred and public ridicule.
In his fatherly disposition, the President General of ASIMPIN has continued to throw his door open to members of the association regardless of status, and has been very objective and unbiased in handling matters brought before him. And because he operates an open door policy, his office has always been inundated with all manner of complaints and protestations from Chapter level, resulting in undue pressure.
Nevertheless, the allegation of Misappropriation of fund by former Financial Secretary of ASIMPIN, Tin Can Chapter, is never handled with a pinch of salt by the PG who had before now, set up a committee to thoroughly look into the matter and submit its report. And subsequently, another three man committee to review the report of the first committee to ensure fairness and justice.
The attack on the office of the PG of ASIMPIN is likened to giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. And rewarding the selflessness and genuine contributions of the PG with uncomplimentary and unprintable remarks smacks of sheer ingratitude and thanklessness.
The President General of ASIMPIN, HRH Eze Amb. Damian Emeka Obianigwe is a Peace Ambassador, and has overtime demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of the association, and has continued to advocate for inclusivity and collective welfare at all fora.
