By Uche Nworah, Ph.D

Many South-Easterners were happy to see the five South-East Governors together last week. It has been a long time since we last saw them in such ‘united front’ posturing. Perhaps it was the occasion of the newly constituted National Economic Council by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that brought them together. In their first ever meeting since the new Governors of Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states were sworn -in, the governors elected Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma as Chairman of the South -East Governors Forum (SEGF).

This seeming unity is a departure from the cold war that existed among the Governors in the last dispensation, when meetings of South-East Governors became a huge joke and assault on the feelings and aspirations of people of the South-East. The Governors during that time towed different political lines and didn’t seem to agree. They prioritized the interests of their various political parties and so not much was achieved. Even the SEGF secretariat was poorly funded, secretariat staff were owed and they cried out severally in the media.

Their meetings then were attended mainly by their Deputy Governors, showing how less important the Governors considered the forum. There were just too many egos to massage, to the detriment of the interests of the people of the region. While South-West governors were discussing regional development, integration and cooperation through their Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), none of such discussions took place in the South-East.

Even in the heat of major crises such as the the economic meltdown, insecurity issues in the region, the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB situation, COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges, there was no synergy or attempt to come up with a collaborative agenda for the South-East region.

All that appears to be in the past now, hopefully. We have new Sheriffs in town in the newly elected Governors and the not-so-new ones. There is much expectation from people of the South-East. The Governors should play less politics and show more leadership for their people. The Ala Igbo Development Foundation (ADF), a regional non-governmental organisation, during a prayer rally in Abia state urged Governors of the South-East region of Nigeria to initiate programmes and policies that will impact positively on the lives of the citizens. The South- East Governors roll call; Alex Otti, Abia State (Labour Party); Peter Mbah, Enugu State (PDP),Francis Nwifuru, Ebonyi State (APC), Charles Soludo, Anambra state (APGA), and Hope Uzodinma, Imo state (APC).

There is so much to do and there is less time to do them. Reducing insecurity in the region should be top on their agenda. Kidnap - for - ransom has become a thriving business in the region. Gangs now engage in the criminal enterprise in the name of freedom fighting. They inhabit ungoverned spaces, camps and forests across the region. Cross boundary crime has become the norm. The people of the region are scared and scarred permanently. The Monday-Sit-At-Home orders have further decimated the economy of the region. Businesses and people are leaving the region in droves for safer environments. The Governors must come up with urgent solutions to fight insecurity. In doing that, technology, intelligence gathering, providing adequate security gadgets and commensurate compensation for security officials should be prioritized.

There is so much youth unemployment in the region. How to economically and gainfully keep the teeming youths engaged should be another agenda for the Governors. An idle man is the devil’s workshop goes a popular saying. Many of these unemployed youths have now become willing tools in the hands of manipulators who have enrolled them into kidnapping business in the name of freedom fighting. Others have resorted to rituals and patronizing ‘digital dibias’ and other get-rich-quick schemes to make it. The South-East region is now awash with pastors and native medicine men promising young men and women fame and fortune. They advertise on social media and lure gullible young men and women. ‘Ibute Ike’ and ‘Oke Ite’ are now popular phrases amongst our teeming youths, replacing expressions such as ‘Igba Mbo’, ‘Olu Aka’ and ‘Oge Nke Chukwu Ka Nma’. The South-East Governors must come up with measures to control the activities of these dibias confusing our young men. During the administration of Governor Willie Obiano in Anambra, a Special Adviser was appointed to manage the activities of traditional medicine practitioners. That template could be strengthened and replicated across the South-East states.

The fallout from the 2023 general elections are now being felt by Ndigbo living in other parts of Nigeria. Lagos in particular has become a sore point. The Lagos state legislature plans to enact anti - settler laws, even though such laws go against the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which guarantees every Nigerian freedom and rights to live anywhere in Nigeria and acquire properties legally. This is not time to open the constitution. Desperate times call for desperate measures. This is time for shuttle diplomacy. The South-East Governors must engage with their Brother Governor in Lagos state with a view to convincing him to intervene and avert the looming economic disaster that will hit Ndigbo hard if the laws are passed. Their properties and businesses in Lagos are under threat.

Already, anti-Igbo policies in Lagos state are rearing their heads. Viral videos last week showed Igbo traders moving their goods away from Alaba International Market. The traders were given just 24 hours to move out their goods by Lagos state government officials who planned to demolish some of the plazas. Many are speculating that the planned demolitions are part of vengeance against Igbo traders for voting Labour Party during the 2023 presidential, gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

Gbolahan Oki, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, General Manager however denies this. He was quoted in the media as saying that, “LASBCA identified at least 17 buildings in Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Government Area, as being in an advanced condition of distress and in need of immediate removal”.

Some of the shopping plazas marked for demolition by LASBCA include; G80 Alaba Rago Road, Good Season Shopping Complex, the building on 840 Ojo Igbede and the structure behind Oba Oseni Plaza, among others.

The Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma, being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), should urgently lead the other South-East governors to Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos state to resolve this and other pending issues affecting Ndigbo living in Lagos. High level public diplomacy is required at this time to prevent the escalation of the crises. This will be a litmus test of the seriousness of the newly inaugurated South-East Governors Forum. It should not be business as usual.

Dr. Nworah, a media, communications and branding consultant can be contacted via uchenworah@yahoo.com.

Nawao

Which kind wahala be dis?

So Lagos state govt can't carry out repairs of structures in the state again?

When Soludo Demolished some shanties in Anambra, nobody talked about it.

But in this case, we no go hear word again?

Which kind wahala be dis?

Why are some people feeling the country belongs to them?

This is lame. More like encroaching into the affairs and the leadership of SW or Lagos leaders and internal affairs, it is unconstitutional to start with. Why must Lagos bend its law for outsiders who have their region and are allowed to do what deems fit for their development and growth like Soludo is doing with Anamabra?

This is annoying and downgrading for the people of Lagos and her leadership.

This is emotional blackmail and undemocratic.

Mtchew

The South-East Governors must engage with their Brother Governor in Lagos state with a view to convincing him to intervene and avert the looming economic disaster that will hit Ndigbo hard if the laws are passed. Their properties and businesses in Lagos are under threat.

LeoDeKing:
Nawao

Which kind wahala be dis?

So Lagos state govt can't carry out repairs of structures in the state again?

When Soludo Demolished some shanties in Anambra, nobody talked about it.

But in this case, we no go hear word again?

Which kind wahala be dis?

Why are some people feeling the country belongs to them?

It seems these people have ulterior motives. Did you notice he didn't mention that they've been served since 2016?
Lasg needs to do more and sanitize all major markets in Lagos state.

Your tears end here on Nairaland. And WHEN (not if) we decide to demolish the ENTIRE Alaba market, there's nothing your governors, UN, USA, CANADA, EUROPE, CHINA, RUSSIAN combined can do to stop it.

Get this into your okoro skull!

So to this bigot writer the demolition of those dilapidated buildings is the outcome of the last general election? How can a sane human being lie about information in the public domain.
Attached is when Soludo demolish some buildings in Anambra, we didn’t hear any of those crying now to say anything.

LeoDeKing:
Nawao

Which kind wahala be dis?

So Lagos state govt can't carry out repairs of structures in the state again?

When Soludo Demolished some shanties in Anambra, nobody talked about it.

But in this case, we no go hear word again?

Which kind wahala be dis?

Why are some people feeling the country belongs to them?

Who dash them....
Honestly I hate when a particular tribe wants to dominate an indeginous tribe @thier backyard.
Lagos is a western state and not an eastern state so ibos should pls respect the yorubas in Thier backyard

Jogs1900:

It seems these people have ulterior motives. Did you notice he didn't mention that they've been served since 2016?
Lasg needs to do more and sanitize all major markets in Lagos state.

And that submission came from someone with a phd in academic field, not a ordinary street trader.

The truth is, from top of ibo elite society to the bottom, they all have eyes on taking Lagos over and converting to Ibo territory. They have succeeded in its invasion already, they believe they can conquer it, by massaging Yoruba ego and holding us hostage with provisions of constitution.

Why is go back home statement always sound suicidal to some Igbo's?

Lagos needs another Fashola... This Sanwo-Olu is too gentle

If disaster happens and a building collapse it would be on him, now that he is making efforts to demolish defective building they are complaining again

helinues:
Why is go back home statement always sound suicidal to some Igbo's?

They always make it sound like we are sending them back to hell fire🔥

Jagungidi:


They always make it sound like we are sending them back to hell fire🔥

We are no longer understanding oo

House should be the resting place after farming ( Ile ni abo isinmin Oko), is there own resting place na outside?

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LeoDeKing:
Nawao

Which kind wahala be dis?

So Lagos state govt can't carry out repairs of structures in the state again?

When Soludo Demolished some shanties in Anambra, nobody talked about it.

But in this case, we no go hear word again?

Which kind wahala be dis?

Why are some people feeling the country belongs to them?

for how long notice.

nabiz:
for how long notice.

They have been served since 2016. They have no excuse.

The method and timing of certain decisions are raising suspicions. The governor should have either taken these actions prior to the election or waited for a suitable period after the election to implement them. It is inevitable for these actions to appear suspicious given the circumstances surrounding the election. At times, these individuals seem to lack rational thinking in the decisions they make, resembling the behavior of animals. The governor and his advisors are needlessly intensifying the political climate through this foolish measure.

BabaRamota1980:


And that submission came from someone with a phd in academic field, not a ordinary street trader.

The truth is, from top of ibo elite society to the bottom, they all have eyes on taking Lagos over and converting to Ibo territory. They have succeeded in its invasion already, they believe they can conquer it, by massaging Yoruba ego and holding us hostage with provisions of constitution.

What is still making Lagos to be in firm grip of Yorubas is because it's being bordered by Yoruba states if not, they would have claimed Lagos the way they now claim Asaba and portharcourt.

onomeabuja:

Who dash them....
Honestly I hate when a particular tribe wants to dominate an indeginous tribe @thier backyard.
Lagos is a western state and not an eastern state so ibos should pls respect the yorubas in Thier backyard

onomeabuja so because ibos refuse to support Atiku, you are now hating on them

Jogs1900:

What is still making Lagos to be in firm grip of Yorubas is because it's being bordered by Yoruba states not, they would have claimed Lagos the way they now claim Asaba and portharcourt.

They have eyes on Abuja too, we all need to watch these people very carefully and take whatever they say very seriously

frank14011991:
onomeabuja so because ibos refuse to support Atiku, you are now hating on them

Nop, what I mean is(. I hate when some1 comes to Ur house and wants to chance the host)
4example, if I come to ur house to live, I should abide by urs rules governing Ur house & not for me to b acting like a KING in ur house; or I'll kick me out by d host.
Even if it's my tribe that wants to dominate or take over another's man's land, geskia I won't support her.

Jagungidi:


They have eyes on Abuja too, we all need to watch these people very carefully and take whatever they say very seriously

Dem go fail las las...If you see how hausas dey treat dem for Kaduna, you go know say na hausa sabi handle dem.

There is no business dey dominate in Kaduna state..Selling of gala, lacasera, phone accesories, okrika, provisions, cream etc..are being done.by the hausas in all their major markets..Go and verify.
The one's that manage to be in the major market doing business must employ hausas to work with him for protection..
The only place they do anyhow is Lagos...

Jogs1900:

Dem go fail las las...If you see how hausas dey treat dem for Kaduna, you go know say na hausa sabi handle dem.

There is no business dey dominate in Kaduna state..Selling of gala, lacasera, phone accesories, okrika, provisions, cream etc..are being done.by the hausas in all their major markets..Go and verify.
The one's that manage to be in the major market doing business must employ hausas to work with him for protection..
The only place they do anyhow is Lagos...

It’s because we never took them seriously, we thought it was empty chest beating until they almost unseated a working governor for a bastard that hates his tribe and home.

We have woken up now, it’s a new dawn. Las las everybody must answer hin papa name.

Jagungidi:


It’s because we never took them seriously, we thought it was empty chest beating until they almost unseated a working governor for a bastard that hates his tribe and home.

We have woken up now, it’s a new dawn. Las las everybody must answer hin papa name.

Yes ooh...Please GRV is not Yoruba and he knows...He calls himself a Lagosian the same way we have indians that are lagosians too...his forefathers only settled in Yorubaland..They don't have oriki....Just the way not all British are English, welsh or Irish.

helinues:
Why is go back home statement always sound suicidal to some Igbo's?

Their land is a burial ground. They only go back there to be buried.

Jogs1900:

Yes ooh...Please GRV is not Yoruba and he knows...He calls himself a Lagosian the same way we have indians that are lagosians too...his forefathers only settled in Yorubaland..They don't have oriki....Just the way not all British are English, welsh or Irish.

Lagos belongs more to the Lagosians than the Yoruba. I bet he has lots of indigenous land in Lagos.

BloomingDale:


Lagos belongs more to the Lagosians than the Yoruba. I bet he has lots of indigenous land in Lagos.

Okay..Lagos is not even a Yorubaland,.Let your so call Lagosians start installing kings, whenever the state call for council of kings and chiefs meeting, your so called Lagosians should send their kings and chiefs, when they ask for state of origin, your so called Lagosians write Lagos .....Are you okay now?

Jogs1900:

Okay..Lagos is not Yorubaland,.Let your so call Lagosians start installing kings, whenever the state call for council of kings and chiefs meeting, your so called Lagosians should send their kings and chiefs, when they ask for state of origin, your so called Lagosians write Lagos .....Are you okay now?

Did I say Lagos is not Yorubaland? I said the person you are castigating has more right than the Yorubas from other states like you, cos he is an indigenous Lagosian Yoruba. Try to dey grow sense and comprehend.

LeoDeKing:
Nawao

Which kind wahala be dis?

So Lagos state govt can't carry out repairs of structures in the state again?

When Soludo Demolished some shanties in Anambra, nobody talked about it.

But in this case, we no go hear word again?

Which kind wahala be dis?

Why are some people feeling the country belongs to them?

One of the buildings marked out for demolishion.

BloomingDale:


Lagos belongs more to the Lagosians than the Yoruba. I bet he has lots of indigenous land in Lagos.

What you posted above is no different from saying:

Anambra belongs to the Anambrans than the ibos.

Jogs1900:

Okay..Lagos is not even a Yorubaland,.Let your so call Lagosians start installing kings, whenever the state call for council of kings and chiefs meeting, your so called Lagosians should send their kings and chiefs, when they ask for state of origin, your so called Lagosians write Lagos .....Are you okay now?

You sef see am. Some post on this Nairaland en.

IzunnaOkafor:


[b]The fallout from the 2023 general elections are now being felt by Ndigbo living in other parts of Nigeria. Lagos in particular has become a sore point. The Lagos state legislature plans to enact anti - settler laws, even though such laws go against the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which guarantees every Nigerian freedom and rights to live anywhere in Nigeria and acquire properties legally. This is not time to open the constitution. Desperate times call for desperate measures. This is time for shuttle diplomacy. The South-East Governors must engage with their Brother Governor in Lagos state with a view to convincing him to intervene and avert the looming economic disaster that will hit Ndigbo hard if the laws are passed. Their properties and businesses in Lagos are under threat.

Already, anti-Igbo policies in Lagos state are rearing their heads. Viral videos last week showed Igbo traders moving their goods away from Alaba International Market. The traders were given just 24 hours to move out their goods by Lagos state government officials who planned to demolish some of the plazas. Many are speculating that the planned demolitions are part of vengeance against Igbo traders for voting Labour Party during the 2023 presidential, gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

Gbolahan Oki, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, General Manager however denies this. He was quoted in the media as saying that, “LASBCA identified at least 17 buildings in Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Government Area, as being in an advanced condition of distress and in need of immediate removal”.

Some of the shopping plazas marked for demolition by LASBCA include; G80 Alaba Rago Road, Good Season Shopping Complex, the building on 840 Ojo Igbede and the structure behind Oba Oseni Plaza, among others.

The Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma, being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), should urgently lead the other South-East governors to Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos state to resolve this and other pending issues affecting Ndigbo living in Lagos. High level public diplomacy is required at this time to prevent the escalation of the crises. This will be a litmus test of the seriousness of the newly inaugurated South-East Governors Forum. It should not be business as usual. [/b]

Dr. Nworah, a media, communications and branding consultant can be contacted via uchenworah@yahoo.com.

Interesting read.

BloomingDale:


Did I say Lagos is not Yorubaland? I said the person you are castigating has more right than the Yorubas from other states like you, cos he is an indigenous Lagosian Yoruba. Try to dey grow sense and comprehend.

There is nothing like ingenious Lagosian Yoruba..
We know ourselves in Lagos and Yorubaland..okay..
Non Yorubas should keep quiet when we are discussing Lagos matter.
You dabble into what doesn't concern you.
Since Lagos is a Yorubaland, it means not all Lagosians are Yorubas..The only way to determine your ancestry is state of origin in which not all Lagosians can trace their ancestry in Lagos.
I'm not dignifying you with any response again.
Thank you.