In fulfilment of his promise to invest in infrastructural development in the South East, President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday revealed that federal government has made a budgetary provision of N10 billion for the Enyimba Industrial park and the Nnewi Auto Park.
This is just as President Buhari has also Counseled Ndigbo to avoid the senseless agitation for the session because Igbos and Nigeria are inseparably adding that “Igbo is Nigeria and Nigeria is Igbo”
The industrial park and the Nnewi Auto Park located in Anambra State, are part of the projects proposed to improve industrial development and boost employment generation for teeming youth in the region.
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Buhari noted that the 2018 budget proposal has allocated up to N10 billion for the development of the Enyimba Industrial Park, in Abia and Nnewi Auto Park.
Both projects are expected to be implemented in collaboration with the respective state Governments and the private sector.
The projects are classic examples of the partnerships between the Federal and State Governments in the region to improve the livelihoods of Nigerians – politics aside.
“In the last few hours, I have commissioned some landmark projects and laid the foundation stones for the Ebonyi City Mall and flyover bridge projects. I commend His Excellency, Governor David Umahi for his vision and commitment to the development of his State”
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President Buhari expressed gratitude to the people of the State and the entire South East traditional rulers, who bestowed the traditional title ” ENYIOMA 1 “as well as the “OCHIOHA OF NDIGBO.”
The President who noted that the people of the South East are known for their ingenuity, industrial and commercial talent, added that “no part of Nigeria where you will not find Igbo entrepreneurs, both men and women, contributing to the development of their adopted communities”
“We must therefore continue to commit ourselves to the development of Nigeria. A Nigeria where we sustain our national unity without compromising on our cultural identities. A Nigeria where the aspirations of its people are guaranteed without prejudice to tribe or religion. A Nigeria, where we can sleep at night knowing that tomorrow will be better than today”
57 years after independence, recent agitation has seen several sections of the country calling for restructuring
But President Buhari, in an apparent response to the agitators, said Nigerian founding fathers worked together to maintain this one Nigeria.
“Yes, they had differences and varied opinions at times. After all, they were only human. And yes, they had moments of weaknesses and doubt. But again, no one is perfect. However, one thing they all protected until the end of their lives was having one Nigeria for all Nigerians.”
He noted that “Nigeria has gone through many pains” but added that the country “has also achieved significant successes”
“It’s citizens are leaders in all aspect of human development. But we rarely celebrate these successes more. Some misguided Nigerians would rather channel their energy to propagating negative stories and senseless rumours”
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“Over 60% of Nigeria’s population is under 25 years old. They have little knowledge of Nigeria’s journey. They were not born during the dark days of civil war and the nation rebuilding that happened afterwards”
President Buhari also sees the task of nation-building as a continuous one”
“It relies on the successful transition of factual knowledge from one generation to another. This means it is our collective responsibility to ensure we do not betray our founding fathers as we transfer the Nigeria project from one generation to the next.”
As our national anthem says; “the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain”
So, parents, speak to your children about the importance of their heritage, culture and being open minded. Teachers, teach your students about the history of this nation and how it was a coalition of diversity that brought it to existence. And leaders, we must lead by example and show tolerance and acceptance of diversity.
“Today, most grievances expressed by all Nigerians, not only those in the south-east, is lack of jobs, poor infrastructure and basic amenities. We are working aggressively to address these”
“We are building roads, hospitals and schools. We are expanding our power transmission infrastructure while supporting the generation and distribution companies to ensure more power is delivered to our homes. We are developing agricultural programs that will create more jobs while making Nigeria food secured.
Buhari said the government recently mobilized contractor working on the 2nd Niger Bridge back to the site.
He assured that his administration was upgrading the Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia by constructing a Modern Medical Diagnostic Centre, as part of efforts to bring quality and affordable health care to the region.
“In October 2017, we commenced the payment of pensions to police officers who were granted Presidential pardon in 2000 after serving in the former Biafran Police during the 30-month civil war. These officers, and their next of kin, have waited for their pensions for 17 years since the Presidential pardon.”
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
