Poverty , Unemployement is The Cause Of Biafra Agitation- Says Obasanjo

BOBOJAY December 23, 2016 0

Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed Igbo youths restiveness to poverty and unemployment, just as he advised Ndigbo to close ranks and work  in unity so as to speak with one voice in the nation’s polity.

Obasanjo, who  said this   on Thursday, at the opening of the South East Economic and Security Summit, in Enugu, noted that Ndigbo have what it takes but individualism had been militating against them, adding that the people of  the South East are known for their entrepreneurial ability, communal interest and adventurism.

“If the Igbo work together with the ability they possess, they will foster  economic development of the country. I admire the uniqueness that is built around  the South East region. I want you people to, with it, take lead of the country”, he said.

On the youth restiveness, he called on the government to create employment for  youths to stop all kinds of criminalities in the country,  adding that when a section of the country is in crisis, then, the whole country is also in crisis.

“The youth are agitating because they have education without employment. And they have today but not sure of tomorrow. A youth who is educated and is not employed, is not sure of tomorrow. So, he will agitate for his right”.

Obasanjo further noted that the economy and security are two sides of a coin and none could be realised without the other. Whatever we can do for ourselves, let us do it for . If I could go to Maiduguri when Boko Haram was raging and I had to try to reach out to them in the interest of the country, I do not think I have to be  commended for being part of the initiative for the  South East summit.”

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on the occasion,  reiterated that unless there is restructuring of the country and establishment of state police, the dream for redressing the political imbalance and reduction in criminalities in the country might be a mirage.

Senator Ekweremadu used the occasion to call on the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, adding that the court had ordered for his freedom.

Earlier, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, had said  that the summit is intended to offer the government and all relevant stakeholders in the South East region, the opportunity to identify and critically examine the peculiar security and economic challenges of the zone with a view to finding lasting solutions to them.

Tribune

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