In a candid discussion on the latest episode of ‘The Honest Bunch’ podcast, Kanayo shared his perspective on what it means to be both Igbo and Nigerian. He emphasized that being Igbo means belonging to a unique part of the country with its own dialect, much like the Hausas and Fulanis. He said, “Being an Igbo means that I come from a side of the country that speaks a dialect just like the Hausas, Fulani, and others.”
Kanayo O. Kanayo, a veteran of Nollywood, expressed his belief that Nigeria would start making significant progress once someone of Igbo descent becomes president. He dismissed the notion of “Igbophobia” – the prejudice that allegedly prevents Igbos from attaining the presidency – as a baseless myth.
For him, being Igbo also signifies possessing a special touch that leads to prosperity, drawing a parallel to being called the “Jews of this part of the world.” Kanayo noted, “When we [Igbos] are called the Jews of this part of the world, it means a lot. And to whom much is given, much is expected.”
Kanayo highlighted the industrious nature of the Igbo people, noting their ability to transform a small kiosk into a thriving shop within a year. “An Igbo man starts his business with a kiosk today, give him the next one year, he turns it to a shop,” he said. He attributed this success to a divine force they call Chukwu Abiama, which he believes makes the Igbo community the envy of others.
Reflecting on last year’s elections, Kanayo addressed accusations that the Igbos wanted to take over Lagos, questioning the logic behind such claims given their strong ancestral ties elsewhere. “I remember during the elections last year, some people said the Igbos want to take over Lagos. How can we take over Lagos? For what when we have an ancestral home we come from?”
He argued that Nigeria should move beyond the concept of state of origin, emphasizing that employment and other opportunities should be based on merit rather than regional affiliation. “So if we abolish state of origin in Nigeria, we will be better as a country. What has it got to do with state of origin when you’re employing somebody? It’s the IQ we’re looking for.”
Citing a recent interview with Prof. Yusuf on Arise TV, Kanayo recounted how he responded to remarks about the Igbos’ supposed lack of capacity for leadership and protest. He pointed out that Igbos are the only group who establish homes and businesses in every community across Nigeria, proving their commitment to the country. “I said, ‘Prof, during the elections, you said we didn’t have the capacity to be president, so we don’t have the capacity to protest. You said we can’t be trusted with power.’ The day you give an Igbo man the presidency of this country, that is the day Nigeria will discover why it is Nigeria. Economically, people would begin to say Hallelujah.”
Kanayo lamented that being Igbo in Nigeria often means being judged by ethnicity rather than capability. He criticized the pervasive division, nepotism, and political manipulation that have plagued the country, likening the ongoing challenges to the aftermath of the civil war. “Being Igbo and being a Nigerian to me, is like running at opposite courses. It looks like the [civil] war never ended.”
