Insecurity Destroying South East Economy – Okowa, Soludo

Delta State governor and vice presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his Anambra State counterpart, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, have lamented that the South East is destroying its own economy with home-grown insecurity especially a sit-at-home ordered and enforced by non-state actors.

The governors made the observation yesterday at the 60th birthday anniversary and thanksgiving service of Archbishop of Awka Diocese of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, held at Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka, challenging the people of South East to unite towards reviving the region’s economy being battered by insecurity.

Okowa congratulated Governor Soludo for his efforts at tackling insecurity since assuming office and urged the people to support him to end the challenge which had impacted negatively on the economy of the state and region.

“I am glad that the people are supporting the governor because I can see a lot of changes and I believe it is well with our people because I know that the more, we have sanity, the more the economy of the people of the South East will grow.

“We cannot afford to destroy our economy with our own hands, and may God not allow us destroy our own selves with our hands,” he stated.

“And, we must allow God to lead us this time because mistakes have been made in the past but we do not want to make mistakes again,” he added. He called for deep soul-searching by all the actors, and urged them to unite and resolve the impasse.

On his part, Soludo said it was a moment of rededication for the people of South East, adding that known and unknown gunmen had no place in Anambra State.

“It is a moment of rededication for the South East to realise how Nigeria politics works because what we are looking for in Igbo land requires hard work, dedication and building strategic alliances.

“I have said that for me, I will not celebrate until when we tackle insecurity to almost near zero, when all our schools work, when all our hospitals and roads are fixed then I will celebrate,” Soludo added.

Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, in a sermon, said no matter what the country was facing, God had promised solution if the people can seek Him through faith.

He urged Nigerians to keep believing God with faith for the solution to the nation’s challenges, adding that “contentions and trials will surely come but God who kept us until now will keep us throughout these trying times.”

He described the celebrant as a humble, articulate and persevering priest who had contributed immensely to the growth and spiritual development of the Awka Diocese and beyond.

Chairman of the occasion, Senator Ben Obi, described Archbishop Ibezim as an undisputed prayer warrior whose spiritual contributions to the Awka Diocese and Province of the Niger was unparalleled.

The celebrant, Archbishop Ibezim, thanked the primate and invited guests for honouring him, assuring that he would continue to dedicate his life to the service of God and humanity.

Wife of the deputy governor, Mrs Oluchukwu Ibezim, Senator Uche Ekwunife and Senator Victor Umeh among others, attended the thanksgiving service.