By Ovat Abeng
The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently convene a non-partisan national economic, security summit to curbed aggressions in Nigeria.
Achebe disclosed this in his address to marked his 22nd Ofala festival celebration, held at Imeobi Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State, on Friday.
The Monarch, emphasized the urgent need for the government to focus more on its constitutional responsibilities regarding economic stability, security, and the well-being of citizens.
He noted that several individuals and organisations including High Chief Gani Adams, the Patriots, League of Nigerian Columnists, Yoruba Council of Elders, Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum, etc, have variously drawn the attention of the government to the looming catastrophe, if no constructive action is taken to reverse the decline. They have urged the government to give urgent attention to its fundamental constitutional responsibility, namely, the security and wellbeing of the citizenry. Some of the specific views put forward include, devolution and down-sizing of governance; the nexus between insecurity, agriculture and high cost of living; the impact of fuel price on the cost living, bad governance driven by corruption and ostentatious lifestyle of political leaders in Nigeria.
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“I stated that the previous twelve months were marked by uncertainties following the general election, further exacerbated by ongoing insecurity and the sudden removal of the fuel price subsidy. Unfortunately, the well-being of the polity has declined even more steeply in the last twelve months, leading to a ten-day national protest in August 2024, tagged #EndnaGovernance. The two areas of most concern are the economy and security. Their combined effects include the spiraling rise in the cost of living, closures, loss of employment, and a general feeling of hopelessness and lack of trust in government,” he said.
Igwe Achebe pointed out that bad governance, driven by corruption and the ostentatious lifestyles of political leaders, is a major cause of the lack of trust in leadership.
“In the Southeast zone, we continue to face the unrelenting scourge of unknown gunmen who kill, maim, and kidnap their fellow Ndi Igbo for money. Schools, markets, and public facilities have remained closed on Mondays, resulting in enormous economic and social costs to Ndi Igbo,” he stressed.
While welcoming the teaming visitors to the occasion, the Monarch described the ancient town of Onitsha has been more united and together since he took over the throne.
The member representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly under the (Labour Party), Hon Justice Azuka, in his Ofala festival message, congratulated Igwe Achebe for a successful celebration and his leadership roles in Onitsha Kingdom and Anambra State at large.
He praised the people of Onitsha for their rich cultural heritage, advised other communities in the state to uphold the rich culture of honesty, hardwork and perseverance.
The Lawmaker used the event to advised the people against all forms of negative lifestyle which the ancient Igbo communities abhorred.
The Paradise News gathered that Globacom and International Breweries PLC, makers of Hero beer are the major sponsors of the ceremony.
