By Adadareporters
Southeast leaders and stakeholders have tasked governors of Southeast states and other public office-holders in the region to embark and encourage farming to cushion the effects of Nigeria’s food crisis.
The leaders stated this after its emergency meeting held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, Thursday.
The meeting, chaired by the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, commended the Ohanaeze leader for discouraging Igbo groups or communities in Nigeria or in the diaspora from joining or embarking on any protest against the government of Nigeria over the dwindling nation’s economy.
The leaders stated that, “Ndigbo have been at the receiving end in the affairs of the country and that all the entreaties to the various authorities for equity and justice towards the Igbo have fallen on deaf ears.”
The leaders, in a communique signed by the national publicity secretary of Ohanaeze, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, called on Igbo governors, council chairmen, traditional rulers and town union presidents to take advantage of the upcoming farming season to catalyze massive agricultural production for sustainable food security in the region. It also urged the leaders to step up the security networks in their various jurisdictions.
The communique read in part, “South East is the only geopolitical zone that has only five states; and 95 local government areas while one other geopolitical zone has 188 local government areas. The above lingering injustice has cost the Igbo billions of financial losses.
“It has also cost us losses in both political patronages and legislative representations. This anomaly attracted the concerns of the members of the 2005 and 2014 political conferences but up till today, nothing has been done; among others.”
The forum said the sit-at-home in the South East was a result of the incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, noting that the order caused the Igbo and indeed most Nigerians unquantifiable losses in lives and property.
It regretted that all the appeals to the federal government for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had been rebuffed as an Igbo problem, adding that, “Since there has remained an orchestrated conspiracy to alienate the Igbo from the affairs of the country, it will be foolhardy for the Igbo youths to present themselves as cannon fodders at this critical juncture in our political history.”
The meeting also reviewed the level of unemployment, poverty, hardships, especially the rising cost of goods and services in Nigeria, the rate of depreciation of Nigerian currency and the excruciating effect on the masses, and reminded Ndigbo that they should quickly readjust themselves to the reality of the times and that “the Igbo have passed through the worst of conditions in the past”.
It urged Ndigbo to “invoke their indomitable spirit of brotherliness, hard work, ingenuity, wisdom and resilience to turn adversities into diverse opportunities.”
The forum further stated that since the 2023 presidential electoral matter had been decided at the Supreme Court and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared the winner, Ndigbo, as law-abiding citizens, should support the Tinubu administration.
The forum proposed an expanded meeting of Igbo leaders comprising all the South-East governors to develop options and proffer solutions and guidance to all the sons and daughters of Igbo land on the way forward.
In attendance were current and former members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, current and previous leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, captains of Industry, the clergy, and academics.
