House of Reps speaker Abbas commends patriotism of Igbos, says they own major investments in Nigeria

The House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas has commended the patriotism of Igbos, saying most of the investments in Nigerian are owned by them.

This is as he lamented the insecurity situation in the South-East region of the country and called on Igbo leaders to seek ways of interfacing with the Federal Government to address their legitimate grievances.

Abbas spoke at the launch of the Peace in the South East Project, a brainchild of the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, in Bende, Abia State on Friday, December 29, 2023.

He noted that despite the economic strength of the Southeast, agitations in the region had caused it many losses.

The Speaker said the peace in the Southeast was invariably the peace and progress of the entire Nigeria.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Musa Krishi, Abbas lamented that the wave of insecurity “continues to cripple daily life and significantly paralyse socio-economic endeavours, in a region whose people are renowned for their resourcefulness and economic enterprise.”

Abbas said: “Between 1956 and 1965, the then Eastern region was regarded as the fastest-growing economy in Africa and Asia. Indeed, the South-East has remained an economic powerhouse in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, leading in trade and commerce.

“From Aba to Adamawa and Enugu to Europe, Igbo are known to be entrepreneurial, resourceful, peace-loving, savvy, tenacious and peace-loving. That is the character of the Igbo. That is who you are. Three of your cities, Aba, Onitsha and Nnewi, are among the most industrialised in Nigeria.

“A sizable chunk of the major investments in many parts of Nigeria are Igbo-owned. Your contributions to the Nigerian economy, either through imports, business investments, or Diaspora remittances, among others, are indisputable.

“The contributions of the Igbo are apparent not only about the economy but also in all fields of human endeavour, including literature, academia, the creative industry, and many more.”

In another development, Ekiti Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has declared three days of mourning for Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the late Governor of Ondo State who passed on December 27th.

Akeredolu was until his death the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum and South West Governors Forum.

Governor Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode on Friday, declared the three-day state mourning.

All flags at public buildings across the state are to be flown half-mast for the three days of mourning, which commenced on Friday.

Meanwhile, Governor Oyebanji, who had earlier conveyed his condolences to the Government and people of Ondo State, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Akeredolu at their Ibadan residence on Friday.

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