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Urge governors to take decisive actions
By Chukwuma Umeorah
Otu Oka-Iwu, a nonpolitical and nonprofit indigenous organisation, has voiced deep concern over the deteriorating state of affairs in Igboland, which has had a devastating impact on investment opportunities and economic activities, ultimately stifling development in the region.
The group, committed to fostering unity within the country, has called for immediate action by government authorities particularly state governors in the region to take decisive actions to address these pressing challenges before they further disrupt the local economy.
The president of the group, Okechukwu Unegbu, during a press conference in Lagos, Tuesday, emphasized that the region, once a thriving hub for investors and known for its vibrant economic activities, has gradually lost its shine due to rising insecurity among other factors.
He lamented, “Our land has sadly become a hotbed of violence and insecurity, leading to a situation where residents, young and old alike, no longer feel safe. The so-called ‘sit at home’ practice on Mondays has further weakened economic activities as many business owners are scared for their lives.”
Unegbu also noted that the famous and bustling trade routes from Onitsha-Nnewi to Aba-Orlu and others had lost much of its potential giving way to a stagnant and directionless economy.
Stressing the importance of revitalizing the economy, he called for collective efforts and a different approach to restore the region’s prosperity, saying, “The South East Governors need to discuss and reach a consensus as to how they can tackle this issue of insecurity. It can never be achieved in isolation. I believe that insecurity has not been given the attention that it requires.
“We also call on President Bola Tinubu to explore a different approach by investing in education, agriculture, technology, and quality infrastructure like technical schools to positively engage our youths to train their minds towards national development.”
Unegbu added that the group was intensifying its efforts to collaborate with Ohaneze Ndigbo, traditional leaders, and community heads to come up with new and sustainable solutions, all while underscoring the need for a resurgence of investment in Igboland through the “Aku Ruo Ulo” cry.
The First-Vice President of Otu Oka-Iwu, Nneka Chris-Asoluka, echoed the sentiment that insecurity had adversely affected other areas of national development such as education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Her words, “The region was once renowned for its educational excellence, with states competing for the top positions in academic rankings. Today, there is a worrying trend of disinterest in education, with reports of involvement in fraudulent activities. We were also known for our diverse agricultural activities that provided food for the populace and surplus for trade. However, that is no longer the case because the people are scared to go to their farms.”
