In a momentous Southeast stakeholders meeting held with the esteemed Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi on the 17th of July 2024 in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Ohanaeze Ndigbo extends its heartfelt commendation and admiration for the unwavering commitment, fortitude, determination, and decisiveness exhibited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in addressing the profound infrastructural deficiencies, dearth, and neglect that have afflicted the Southeast region over the past fifty-four years.
Following the official conclusion of the Nigeria-Biafra war in January 1970, the Nigerian populace, particularly the Igbo community, bore witness to General Yakubu Gowon’s policy decree of the 3Rs – Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction – aimed at reintegrating the Old Eastern region into the broader Nigerian Federation. Regrettably, over the ensuing fifty-four years, it became abundantly clear that the proclaimed 3Rs policy was nothing but a smokescreen, a thinly veiled strategy employed by previous Federal Government regimes, including Former Military Heads of State and Civilian Presidents from 1970 to 2023. The glaring injustices, marginalization, alienation, flawed federalism, and inappropriate regional dominance against the Old Eastern region remained unresolved.
However, over the most recent fourteen months, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has keenly observed a paradigm shift under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, orchestrated through the able stewardship of Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi. Through consistent and dependably transparent efforts, a new policy direction, in tandem with President Tinubu’s visionary RENEW HOPE AGENDA, has been introduced to address the longstanding grievances of the Southeast through the ongoing infrastructural revolution within the region. This auspicious development signifies President Tinubu’s official commencement of the closure of the remote causes of the Biafra war and the concurrent agitation. Ndigbo meticulously monitor the steadfastness and unwavering resolve of the Federal Government in the execution of the 3Rs, particularly in the urgent reconstruction of major federal roads deemed treacherous and abandoned since 1970 by past regimes.
The residents of the Southeast region are witnessing the commendable endeavors of President Tinubu and Senator Umahi in rectifying the aberrations, marginalization, and federal apathy prevalent in the Southeast through the ongoing array of transformative projects. Ohanaeze Ndigbo pledges wholehearted support in reciprocation for President Tinubu’s unwavering dedication and commitment to the renaissance of the Southeast.
The remarkable alignment of the Ebonyi State 101km segment of the 447km Cross River-Southeast-North Central-Apo Abuja 6-lane superhighway, in conjunction with various ongoing Federal Road projects spanning Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi States, stands as indisputable testimony to President Tinubu’s groundbreaking efforts; initiatives previously unattainable by General Gowon, various Military Heads of State, and democratically elected Presidents in Nigeria over fifty-four years post-Nigeria-Biafra war end.
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, underscores that Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, epitomizes the essence of a dedicated servant leader of the Southeast, characterized by diligence, humility, a sterling character, and unwavering loyalty to President Tinubu’s revitalized agenda. As Ndigbo stand poised and ready to collaborate with the Federal Government in confronting the multifaceted challenges confronting the Southeast region, President Tinubu is implored to delve deeply into redressing the remaining issues that plague Ndigbo. Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirms its steadfast commitment to President Tinubu and his transformative policies aimed at uplifting and reintegrating the Southeast as a pivotal component of the mainstream federal agenda.
Signed,
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo
