Compliance with the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) across states of the South-eastern geopolitical zone of the country ranged from partial to high as President Muhammadu Buhari visited Imo State on Thursday.
Buhari’s visit to Imo to commission some projects had been heralded by a declaration by an IPOB representative, Chika Edoziem, that the president was not welcome to Imo State.
However, the president’s visit saw him inaugurate some projects, including the Flood Control Tunnel executed by Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration.
The N2 billion tunnel passes through Dick Tiger Street to Otammiri River in the state.
The president, accompanied by Governor Uzodimma, Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi; Senate deputy chief whip, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, among others, was dressed in trouser and Igbo traditional lion head material, and immediately after the inauguration, which lasted few minutes, left for another point of event.
While commissioning the Egbeada Bypass project, Buhari reiterated his administration’s resolve to accord all sections of the country a sense of belonging in governance.
He described roads as inevitable infrastructure in societal transformation and commended Governor Uzodimma for his spirited efforts to move the state forward through the provision of infrastructure.
The president noted that the problems confronting the state were similar to those facing the Federal Government, just as he enjoined the people of the state to remain patient with his administration in its efforts to address all crucial national issues.
Earlier in his speech, Uzodimma expressed gratitude to the president for his assistance to the state to tackle its security challenges.
The governor informed the president that he had paid compensation to fam- ilies of security personnel who lost their lives to bandits and had also taken steps to cushion the plight of other families who lost their members to criminals.
The governor reiterated the commitment of the people of the state to the continued existence of the country. Projects commissioned by President Buhari include the tunnel at Dick Tiger, Chukwukadebia Nwoha Street, the Naze/Iheagwa/ Nnekede/ Obinze road, ultra-modern executive chambers in the Government House, among others.
Meanwhile, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, has called on President Buhari to see to the release of Igbo youths detained by security agencies across the country.
According to him, paying critical attention to roads, bridges, railways and ports by the Federal Government would revitalise the economy and have tangential effects on dousing youth restiveness and unemployment in the zone.
Professor Obiozor stated this in an address he presented at the occasion of the visit of the president.
Obiozor said: “Mr. President, your visit and presence today in Igboland and Owerri, Imo State, in particular, has more than political significance. In manner of symbolism, this visit has thrown light into the cloudiness and doubts surrounding the perception of the relations between your government and Ndigbo. Your presence reassures us that there is still reason for optimism for Nigeria and Nigerian unity.
“I feel very pleased in my capacity as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and on behalf of the galaxy of Ndigbo leaders gathered here today, and the entire Igbo nation, to welcome Your Excellency wholeheartedly to Igboland.
“It is also our firm belief that this visit will mark the beginning of a new chapter of dialogue, cooperation and understanding between Ndigbo and your administration.”
Obiozor further drew the attention of the president to Igbos’ role to ensure there is unity in the country after the civil war.
“Mr President, after all Nigeria has gone through in its nearly 60 years of che- quered history of crises and continuity and the spectacular patriotic role of Ndigbo to ensure its unity and sur- vival, the consistent perception that the Igbos are separatists and secessionist agitators is a historical fallacy.
“Indeed, if the truth must be told, Ndigbo are the most federating unit among all Nigerian citizens. Generally speaking, anywhere in Nigeria where you don’t find the Igbos, run away, something is wrong there. Igbos are market people and travel adventurers. Consequently, what defines the Igbo character is propensity for friendliness and harmonious peaceful coexistence and spirit of universalism of mankind. This is who we are. Our Igbo adage says “Ojemba Enwe Iro”, literally translated – A traveler makes no enemies.
“Ndigbo are committed to Nigerian unity and there is news for those trying to push us out of Nigeria. Ndigbo in Nigeria are like fish in the ocean, no matter how rough the storm is, it cannot drive the fish out of the ocean. Mr. President, it is in this context that we see a new dawn in your distinguished presence in Igboland and believe that on your return to Abuja, the significance and substance of this visit will form a new foundation of a platform for meaningful dialogue on crit- ical issues of concern to the Igbo nation.”
Meanwhile, following IPOB’s order, Nigerian Tribune observed that many residents of Owerri stayed indoors, with several markets, motor parks, filling stations, financial institutions, shops, offices, eateries, hotels closed.
Vehicular movement in and out of Owerri was grounded, as there was no presence of both private and commercial vehicles in the city as of 9:00 a.m. The popular Egbu road linking the Chukwukadebia Nwoha/Digtiger technological tunnel to be commissioned by the president was also empty for many hours. The situation was the same at Okigwe, Wethedral, Duglas Roads, Port Harcourt Road, Onitsha Road, and Orlu Road. In Anambra State, there was partial compliance to the sit-at-home order. But the Nigerian Tribune gathered that there were vehicular movements, though not heavy, on the roads and streets of Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi, at about 11:41 a.m.
Also, some popular shopping malls, markets and other business centres, were partially opened to business activities. Commercial vehicles, Keke and shuttle buses were also sighted, conveying people from one place to another.
In Abia, while business activities continued in Umuahia and Ohafia areas, there was high compliance in Aba.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
