by Innocent Onoh
President Muhammadu Buhari last Tuesday began a historic two-day visit to the South-East zone of the country, during which he assured the Igbos of federal government’s commitment towards their protection and welfare. The grand reception for the president was held in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, with three of the Governors and some Ministers from the zone joining Governor David Umahi at the ceremony.
The Nigerian President, who acknowledged that the zone lacked various federal infrastructures, announced that his administration has approved important projects in the zone to drive industrialization in the 2018 Budget Proposals, and debunked allegations that he was marginalizing the zone.
As President Buhari declared, “I want to assure the Igbos that the welfare of every Nigerian is important to us. We stand for inclusiveness and we will not leave any section of the citizens behind. “For the South-East, I am pleased to inform you that our 2018 Budget Proposal has up to ten billion naira for the development of the Enyimba Industrial Park and Nnewi auto parts. The projects will be implemented in collaboration with the state governments and the private sector. These are the basic examples of the partnership that exist between the Federal and state governments to improve the livelihood of all Nigerians.
He said that “Some misguided Nigerians would rather channel their energies to propagating stories and senseless rumours. Over 60% of Nigeria’s population is under 25 years old. They have little knowledge of Nigeria’s journey. They were not born during the dark days of the civil war and the nation’s rebuilding afterwards”.
President Buhari mentioned some projects lined up for the zone in next year’s budget to include the completion of the Second Niger Bridge and upgrading of the Federal Medical Centre at Umuahia, Abia state capital, while attributing the grievances harbored by some sections of the country to the lack of basic necessities which, he said, his administration was committed to address.
The Nigerian Head of State continued, “In the agricultural sector, the Southeast states are participating in all federal government’s initiatives. For instance, Ebonyi State Governor is among the governors to sign up for the presidential fertilizer initiative. The program has abundantly created thousands of direct and indirect jobs in this fertile part of our country. I will like to congratulate Governor Umahi who put aside political differences to participate in this project that has improved the lives of not only farmers in Ebonyi State but the entire Southeast.
President Buhari also reiterated commitment to his promise to pay pension and gratuity to Nigerian soldiers who fought on the side of Biafra during the civil war. “In October, 2017, we commenced the payment of pensions to police officers who were granted presidential pardon in 2000 after retiring from the former Biafran Police during the 30-month civil war. These officers and their next of kin have waited for their pensions for 17 years since the presidential pardon”, he said.
President Buhari, who inspected some projects executed by the state government, was given two Chieftaincy titles, one from the traditional rulers of the host state and the other from the entire South East Traditional Rulers Council. Ebonyi state awarded him the title, Enyioma 1.
In his welcome address, Governor Umahi did not mince words to show that he was happy about the President’s visit. He said some pessimists tried to convince him that the Number One leader would not come to Ebonyi state now. The Governor congratulated the President for the traditional titles and thanked him for recognising the state and considering it worthy of his visit. “Your visit today to our dear state is yet another moment that will create long lasting memories in the hearts of Ebonyians, for we have not had a presidential visit to Ebonyi state for a decade whereas Ebonyi state is 21 years old. Your spirit of fantasy towards this young state has been so consistent, so genuine and so free from any form of unusual manipulation that often affects the political space. Let me congratulate your excellency on the conferment of two chieftaincy titles on you today, one from our dear Ebonyi state, the highest Igbo chieftaincy title, ‘the Enyioma 1 of Ebonyi state’ – that is, our beautiful friend; and the ‘Ochioha 1 of Igboland’, that is the leader of Igboland.
Other prominent speakers eulogized the president for the visit, noting that it has given the region a sense of belonging. Similarly, the leaders of other ethnic groups in the state thanked both the state governor and the president for the peace they have been enjoying in the state. President Buhari was also expected to move from Ebonyi to Anambra state.
