Victor EzejaThe Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe on Saturday lamented that the increasing rate of insecurity in the South-East coupled with the frequent sit-at-home ordered by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has crippled the economy of the region.
He said the security crisis in the region has resulted in huge economic losses, properties and lives. Igwe Achebe, who spoke during his 22nd Ofala Festival held in Onitsha on Saturday, observed that since the general election was concluded there has been a complex security challenge in the South-East.
According to him, all kinds of criminals masquerading as unknown gunmen have infiltrated the region causing mayhem.
“In the South-East, we have the aftermath of the last general elections, the complex and protracted security situation involving kidnappers, political thugs, state and non-state actors all masquerading as unknown gunmen as well as the crippling economic strangulation of the region arising from the insecurity and the ill-advised sit-at-home that has cost Ndi Igbo incalculable losses,” Achebe stated.
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“Our community is not immune to the above challenges. Our people are also hurting badly. Therefore, despite the fact that the Ofala remains a celebration, we have made a conscious decision to prune down the scope of the festival for this year to more restrained levels in line with the prevailing mood in the country. We hope that the situation will improve significantly to enable us to resume the festival at normal levels in the future,” Achebe added.
He stated that the statutory security agencies have not been proactive in tackling insecurity in Anambra State, making them to rely heavily on vigilante groups.
He said: “Our reliance for prevention is wholly on our vigilante services in two formations. These are the Anambra State Vigilante Group and the Onicha Ado Community Vigilante Group.
“Our biggest challenge is the inadequacy of funding for salaries, equipment and consumables which is literally borne by the community, except for the paltry state government contribution of N10,000 each for 10 persons per month only.”
Commenting on activities at the national level, the traditional ruler also addressed as Agbogidi, said the recent removal of subsidies on petrol by the Federal Government without a backup strategy growing security concerns and the aftermath of the last election have put the country at “dangerous crossroads.” Politically, economically and otherwise.
According to him, the uncertainty hovering over the country’s political landscape would have been averted if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had “convincingly conducted transparent elections with the massive resources at its disposal.”
“This has further been complicated by the continuing security concerns in most parts of the country following the eight years of the previous administration, the early economic measures by the new administration, including the unilateral removal of fuel price subsidy without a backup strategy are seriously deepening the hardship in the country. “It is particularly affecting the lower rungs of the society and in effect, the country is at a dangerous crossroads politically, economically, socially and security-wise,” Achebe stated.
Speaking at the event, the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, while felicitating Agbogidi on the occasion of this year’s Ofala festival, said his administration was fully committed to stemming the tide of insecurity in the state.
He commended Igwe Achebe and the entire people of Onitsha kingdom for the noble effort of projecting the Ofala Festival and the Igbo culture in general. Governor Soludo said his administration has declared war on touts and other criminal elements in Onitsha to restore the past glory of the city.
“We have resolved to wipe out thugs and touts in Onitsha. Very soon, we are coming for them. We don’t know from what town they are coming from to take over Onitsha, but we will keep evacuating them.
“Onitsha will be safe again. Agbero must be wiped out of Onitsha. But it is a gradual process, the more we wipe them out, the more they come, we don’t know where they are coming from, but all we know is that they must leave Onitsha.
“In the next few weeks an operation will commence, something big will happen in Onitsha in terms of security,” Soludo promised.
This year’s Ofala festival sponsored by Nigerian telecom company, Globacom, kicked off on Friday, October 13, 2023 in Onitsha with a youth carnival organised by the Onitsha Ado Youth Council.
The carnival also highlighted the rich cultural legacy of the Onitsha people, and other Nigerian cultures, with different youth groups dressed to represent other ethnic groups, such as Yorubas, Fulanis, Edos, Igalas, and Ijaws.
It is an annual festival celebrated by the Agbogidi at the Ime-Obi, Onitsha. Many sons and daughters of Onitsha, their friends and associates attended the festival.
Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony include Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate and former Governor of Anambra State; Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North at the Senate; HRM, Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu, Chairman, South East Traditional Rulers Council; Prof Uche Azikiwe, wife of Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria & Owelle of Onitsha; and Mr. Olumide Akpata, immediate past President, Nigeria Bar Association(NBA) and Labor Party Gubernatorial Aspirant, Edo State.
Mr. Obi Asika, Founder, Dragon Africa & a Trustee, of NESH Foundation, was also present at the event as a proud subject of HRM, Nnaemeka Achebe.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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