A renowned philanthropist, Chief (Sir) Kyrian Onyeji, Omeihe Ukwu 1 of Mbieri in Imo State, has stated that the nation may not survive its socio-economic and political contradictions unless it reverts to the practice of true federalism.
He made this known in Port Harcourt during a chat with newsmen. Chief Onyeji who is the vice chairman, Igbo Council of Chiefs, Oyigbo chapter, argued that national growth and economic prosperity could only be achieved through regional growth and collaborations.
He said although the colonialists bequeathed to the indigenous leaders a nation with faulty foundation, it was left for the people to determine a more convenient method of cohabiting that will afford each constituted unit the freedom to grow at its pace.
The traditional ruler who praised the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo for the development witnessed in the Western region during his era, charged current political leaders in the country to work diligently to achieve the much needed development.
He however used the opportunity to commend the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorcha for the introduction of free and functional education in the state up to tertiary level, a feat his predecessors said was impossible, he noted.
Chief Onyeji promised the people’s governor his continuous support at all times to achieve set goal.
The royal father regretted that over 50 years after independence the nation was yet to create an effective form of government to effectively utilize its existing abundant resources.
He condemned the current practice where all the country’s governors converge under the umbrella of governors’ forum, describing the group as “an anti-democratic cartel for the pursuit of gubernatorial power and privileges.”
The Igbo council of chiefs vice chairman lamented that “unfortunately 52 years after independence Nigeria is neither a nation in the real sense of the word nor a federalism in the classical sense of the concepts.
On the death of Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Chief Onyeji said it was a great loss to the nation because according to him “Ojukwu was a visionary leader who fought for the downstream in the society.”
He declared that “Ndigbo in particular and Nigerians as a whole will do all within their reach not only to give him a befitting burial but to immortalize the people’s general.”
He further used the opportunity to appeal to the Igbos to come out en masse at the designated towns his body will lie in state as well as the final burial date of Saturday 2nd March, 2012 at Nwewi in Anambra State to pay their last respect to the “Ikemba” whom he called an advocate of the masses.
On the issue of insecurity in the country caused by the terrorist Islamic group called Boko Haram, Chief Onyeji condemned their activities in totality and advocated for a creation of an anti-terrorist squad within the police to cope with the challenge.
The royal father did not agree with the opinion of those who advocated an amnesty for the Islamic sect, the same treatment meted to the Niger Delta militants. According to him “while the Niger Delta agitators were on a genuine course of trying to draw attention to the neglected zone which lay the golden eggs, the Boko Haram group are just interested in the killings of innocent citizens over frivolities, fighting against formal education.” ###
-Joe Kalu
