Food Insecurity: Stakeholders urge Ohanaeze to synergize with South-East Governors in developing Agriculture
By MAURICE OKAFOR.
Representatives of several Igbo groups and Igbo entrepreneurs has tasked the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide to work closely with the governors of the South East zone in revamping massive agricultural production in the zone,as a means of enhancing food and creating employment opportunites for unemployed Igbo youths.
They made the clarion in their contribution at a retreat with theme ‘Ako Bu Ije’ organised by the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo world wide, held at Old Government lodge,Abakaliki road,Enugu on Wednesday,March 27.
Many participants who spoke at the retreat lamented that the South East zone is blessed with fertile land,good climate and human resources that can re invent agriculture as the mainstay of the zone’s economy that would enhance food sufficiency in the zone and beyond.
They recalled the era of late Michael Okpara administration of defunct Eastern Nigeria,during which Eastern Nigeria was reckoned as one of the fastest growing economy globally.
Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa,who chaired the business section stressed that even though that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu led Ohanaeze Ndigbo have come up with great ideas on how to tackle food insecurity and other problems confronting the Igbo nation,the execution of such measures may not see the light of the day,without the support of the South East governors mustering their political power to effect.
He expressed disatisfaction that it was only the Enugu state governor,Dr Peter Mbah was represented at retreat by his deputy, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai amidst the fact that they were invited and informed on the theme of the conference.
Dr Nnaemeka Obiaraeri while delivering a lecture titled,’Agricultural development and food sufficiency in Igbo land, lamented he brought investors who were bent on developing several hectares of land in various communities across Igbo land on varities of crops and animal farming but those investments were desttoyed and most of their equipments set ablaze by unknown guh men.
He corroborated that the South East Governors must be committed in the re-inventing of agriculture in the zone by fighting insecurity to a standstill.
Several other speakers including Professor Obiora Ike,Professor Chinedu Nebo, Professor Mrs Nnenna Otti of Federal University of Technology Owerri(FUTO) harped on unity,hardwork and commitment to advancing the cause of the Igbo nation as the lessons and.message in the theme if the retreat’Ako Bu Ije’.
The chairman of the occasion,Chief Allison Madueke,in his opening remarks stressed that Igbos are capable of solving the prevailing scarcity of food in the zone,if they can rediscover agriculture.
Speaking earlier,the President General,Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide,Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu reiterated the commitment of his leadership in forstering peace among the Igbos and other tribes in Nigeria and projecting the Igbo spirit of entrepreneurship among Ndigbo.
end.
