Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has restated the commitment of his administration to the strict enforcement of the anti-open grazing law already domesticated in the State.
Governor Ikpeazu who was addressing a delegation of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr Samuel Kalu Uche at Government House Umuahia, said that the move is in response to the excesses of the criminal herdsmen terrorizing our people. The Governor further assured that plans were underway to flush these criminal herdsmen from our forests.
The Governor who restated the commitment of his administration to the security of lives and properties of Abians, described as worrisome the absence of any South Easterner in the security architecture of the country, meaning that while the South East region is a direct victim of the activities of criminal herdsmen and other sundry security challenges, nobody from the region is part of the highest decision making body when it comes to security.
He stressed the need for Igbo youths to trade with caution in the prevailing security situations, adding that with resilience, dedication and the age-long Igbo apprenticeship mentorship system, Ndigbo will dominate the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria.
The Governor noted that Abians are known globally for their ingenuity and entrepreneurial skills and has remained the SME capital of Nigeria, noting that no foreign direct investment will be recorded amid insecurity.
Governor Ikpeazu stated that he has express confidence in the ability of The Methodist Church Nigeria in managing the physical, spiritual and mental upbringing of Children and that his administration will keep partnering the church in the academic development of Abia children. He assured that his administration will consider the request of the Prelate for the return by the government, of some schools originally owned by the church.
Earlier in his speech, the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Kalu Uche said that he is an advocate of a Nigeria with true federalism devoid of marginalization of any section or region.
Dr Kanu Uche regretted the level of marginalization of Ndigbo within the Nigerian political firmament and called for an additional state for the South East in the ongoing constitution review to enable the region to be at par with others several other states.
The Methodist Prelate who also expressed support for the ban on open grazing by the Southern Governors, condemned in its totality the wantom destruction of lives and properties of Nigerians especially Christians in the north.
He noted that he has been following the Governor’s transformation agenda with remarkable Infrastructural facelift in Aba and other parts of the state.
The Methodist Prelate later prayed for the Governor and the State Government as well as presented the Governor , the Member representing Umunneochi State Constituency Hon Okey Igwe and the Commissioner for Information Chief John Okiyi Kalu with copies of the Holy Bible.
The Prelate was accompanied by the Archbishops of Umuahia and Okigwe Archdiocese, Most Rev Chibuzo Opoko and Most Rev Emem John Koko Bassey, as well as the Bishops of Nneochi, Isuikwuato, Uturu and Ihube and their wives.
Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
27th May, 2021.
