By Adadareporters
The governor of Enugu State, Barr Peter Mbah, Wednesday, charged Ndigbo to rediscover their innate economic potentials and avoid acts capable of self-destruction.
Gov Mbah, represented by his deputy, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai, stated this at the Ohanaeze Retreat going on in Enugu. Barr Ossai commended the Ohanaeze leadership for championing the progress of Ndigbo globally.
He said, “Governor Mbah commends those who sacrifice for Ndigbo, including those living and dead. The Biafran War is over. I believe in Biafra, but in the economy of Biafra. Let us seek ways of reviving the Igbo economy. The past administration made the rail system a part of the concurrent list. South-East states should key into this.
“Why are our seaports not working? Uguta ports, Ibom seaport, among others, can serve a huge purpose. We must think economy. We can’t after about sixty years of the civil war continue to be talking about marginalisation. Let’s unleash the potentials in us. I’m not saying that the nation’s political configuration is in our favour, but if the Jews broke away and liberated themselves, we can replicate the same. We can use our rich coal deposits to open up our rural communities and farms.
“In Enugu State, we consider education as a tool to fight poverty and create jobs. That is the concept of our Smart Schools being built in all the political wards of the state. We need Ohanaeze to intervene. Our Smart Schools initiative equips our children with both formal and vocational skills. Skills are essential.
“We see the role Ohanaeze is playing in Igboland as a thankless job. Those piloting the affairs of Ohanaeze acccepted the roles not because they do not have other jobs, but their desire to bring us together. Other regions have their bodies championing their cultural values. Ohanaeze is the flagship of Ndigbo.”
The president general of Ohanaeze, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, had earlier commended Gov Peter Mbah for supporting the Ohanaeze projects since his assumption of office.
Chief Iwuanyanwu said Gov Mbah’s support had affirmed the status of Enugu as the headquarters of Ndigbo worldwide. He recalled that Enugu hosted the likes of the first President of Nigeria, Rt Hon Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe; former Premier of Eastern Region, Dr Michael Okpara; former Military Governor of Eastern Region, Chief Emeka Ojukwu, among others, noting that Gov Mbah has maintained the trajectory by ensuring that the activities of Ohanaeze are domiciled in Enugu.
He used the occasion to call for prayers for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu is charged with running a proscribed group, jumping bail and treason. He is being detained at the custody of the Department of State Services in Abuja.
Iwuanyanwu said, “We still hope and pray that President Bola Tinubu will use his powers to release our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. There is the case of His Royal Highness Eze Nwajioagu who is being held in detention in Lagos for no justifiable reason. There are other Igbos held in various detention facilities across the country for no justifiable reason.
“We, through this medium, appeal to Nigerians to treat us as their true brothers and sisters and do to us as they would do for others.”
