The Igbo Community in Ojo, Lagos State, on Saturday, expressed dismay over the level of insecurity in the South-East.
The community made this known at its year-end get-together, held at the Flowwhite Event Centre, in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the chairman of the occasion, Richard Anyanwu, urged the people to continue to live in peace with others, especially their host communities.
Mr Anyanwu described peaceful coexistence as a necessity for development, stressing that the people would not be at the event celebrating a successful year-end if there was no peace in Lagos.
“We owe it as an obligation to conduct ourselves in a manner that conforms with the state’s stance and the host community tradition.
“We are all aware of the insecurity back home. I want to plead with us to tread with caution while at home.
“Our celebration of the yuletide this year should be done in a way that would not attract unnecessary attention from hooligans or kidnappers.
“As we have gathered here to thank God for his mercy and grace on us in the outgoing year, we look forward to a fruitful 2024,” he said.
The chairman lauded the Lagos State government for maintaining peace in the state, which afforded people the opportunity to ply their trade.
He called on the governments of the south-east states to secure the area to enable people to live without fear and attract development in the region.
Also speaking at the event, Osita Odinaka, chief executive officer (CEO) of Odnnys Holdings, Alaba, Lagos, urged the people to be their brothers’ keepers.
He told them to assist upcoming businessmen who had completed their apprenticeship with start-up capital.
Mr Odinaka said that many of those who completed trade apprenticeships but were without start-up capital could end up being lured into crimes, which had been the undoing of the South-East society.
He appealed to authorities in the south-east to provide the needed security in the area, to encourage those that wanted to establish firms to do so.
The event featured cultural dance, a presentation of stewardship by officials for the outgoing year and donations in support of the body.
It was used to reflect on happenings and developments back home, with a view to proffering solutions.
The people, mostly businessmen and women, routinely travel home to celebrate the yuletide, meet family members and carry out activities such as marriage ceremonies, carnivals and community development projects.
With two weeks to the end of the year, many are in the process of returning home to celebrate, but the insecurity in the region has remained a concern.
(NAN)