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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe has expressed dismay over the rate of hardship in the country which he said has deepened, particularly among the citizens who are already below the poverty line. Igwe Achebe, who spoke at the Ime-Obi Palace, Onitsha yesterday while delivering his 24th Ofala festival message, also lamented that despite the prevailing ugly situation in the country, the political class remains focused on 2027 general elections.
He observed that new alliances were being formed in Nigeria as political fortunes rise and fall, whereas there were indications that those alliances were largely for the self-preservation and material benefits.
He highlighted the unending security challenges in the country and called on leaderships at all levels in Nigeria to intensify efforts at checkmating the violence in the country.
Igwe Achebe said this year’s Ofala festival with the theme: “Better, Stronger, Together,” was a call on the people to consolidate on the breakthroughs recorded since he ascended the throne.
He said: “According to the latest World Bank development update on Nigeria, our poverty rate has risen from 40 per cent in 2018 to 60 per cent in 2023; 79 million to 104 million people are being classified as poor.
“The reality on the ground is very dire, particularly with regard to basic essentials, such as food, medication, transportation and house rent.
“The situation is worsened by unending violence in most parts of the country which affects the agricultural sector very seriously.
“While it is pursuing laudable macroeconomic stabilisation measures, we call on the government to make urgent provisions for the poorest in the population and provide palliatives that can directly reach the intended beneficiaries without being sidelined by government bureaucracy.” Achebe, while lamenting the increasing insecurity in the country and particularly the South East geopolitical zone, prayed that the recent conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland would reduce those incidents of kidnapping and killings in the area.
He cited an SBM Intelligence report published in May 2025 which stated that in the last four years of disruption, an estimated N7.6 trillion had been lost since 2021 when sit-at-home was imposed on the zone, noting that this year’s is a moment for deep reflection among Ndigbo, as Nigeria and the world are leaving the race behind due to the deliberate actions of a few purveyors of violence in the area.
