The Ala Igbo Development Foundation (ADF), a regional non-governmental organisation, has urged Governors of the South-East Zone of Nigeria to initiate programmes and policies that will impact positively in the lives of the citizens.
The ADF in a prayer and fasting meeting, held Thursday in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, asked God to direct the governors, especially, Alex Otti of Abia State, to lead the states well.
The prayer meeting which took place at All Saints Anglican Cathedral Church Aba/Owerri Road, Aba in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State, brought together senior clergymen, captains of industry and important leaders of the Igbo nation.
ADF equally seized the opportunity of the prayer meeting to charge the five governors of the South-East Region of Nigeria to sit up and concentrate heavily on the development of their region and the betterment of the people that elected them into power.
Isaac Nwobia, Anglican Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Aba, said that ADF came together to pray for the nation, the Igbo nation and the new government of Abia State led by Alex Otti, to beg God to help him make positive changes in the state.
Nwaobia, who is a Board of Trustee (BoT) member of ADF, said that the organisation is not relenting in their call on Igbos to invest in the South-East (Aku Ruo Ulo) and charged the five South-East Governors to take advantage of certain changes in the law and develop their land.
Read also: June 12: Civil Society Organisation urges Tinubu to protect citizens’ democratic rights
“We are here to pray to God to intervene. We’ve been depending on God and we must continue to depend on God. God’s plan concerning Alaigbo is permanent. It may take time, but it must surely come to pass.
“Politics is about development. If you fail to think about development, you’ve failed as a politician. Any Government that’s not anchoring on the development of its own jurisdiction has failed. In the South East, it’s like we’re failing in this regard.
“We’re calling on South-East Governors Forum to gather resources together and take advantage of the law that now allows states to own their electricity. They should think of industrialisation.
“They should put resources together to take advantage of the new law that allows states to own Railway as well. They should think about their people. They need to help the people to increase the prospect of ease of doing business here so that our people can come home and invest.”
Nwaobia said that they will keep holding prayers for Abia State Governor, considering the height of expectations people have on him and equally charged him not to fail.
“Otti must realise that the expectations are high on him. This is part of the reasons why we have to pray for him. He should not disappoint God and man. People voted for him. If he disappoints them, he has crashed the hope of many. He should work without fear and favour. He should recover the recoverable.”
His Majesty, Eze Azu Egege of Ogbor Ancient Kingdom, Abia State expressed delight stressing that finally, the Igbos have realized that man is fallible and that leaders despite their levels need the directive of God to succeed.
“I’m so happy about this move today. I’m happy that this is happening. There’s nothing we can do when God is not with us. I feel happy to be in their midst,” he said.
Eze Egege charged the Igbo Governors to try their best to do what the people expect them to do, advising that personal and individual pursuit for wealth is not part of such expectations.
Chinedu Duru, a lawyer and member of the ADF and one of the leading organisers of the prayer meeting, said that the ADF chose to seek the face of God for Abia and Igboland, because there is a serious need for a turnaround in the state.
