…Says Ekwueme Blessing to Igbos
Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha has again appealed to the national assembly to create additional state in the south east to bring the zone at par with other zones in the country.
The governor who spoke during the grand cultural carnival to celebrate the 80th birthday of Dr. Alex Ekwueme at Okpara Square, Enugu, said the agitation for additional state for south east should be accorded the priority it deserves and not to be treated in the same basket of requests by other zones.
“The issue of additional state for south east is justifiable and long over-due considering the fact that south east has only five states as against six and seven other zones have. On the basis of equity and fairness, we deserve at least one more state before considering requests by other zones. Therefore, I appeal to the presidency to send this request as an executive bill to the national assembly as a birthday gift to Ndigbo and our great leader, Dr. Alex Ekwueeme, who symbolizes many things in our nation”
Gov. Okorocha described Igbos as great people carefully created by God that have made several sacrifices to sustain the unity of the nation and added that Igbos as erroneously perceived are not marginalized in some quarters but would surely assume their pride of place at the appointed time.
He added that time is up for Igbo leaders to close ranks and make sacrifices in the pursuit Igbo common agenda and overall development of the zone.
Gov. Okorocha, however described Ekwueme as that selfless leader who at the age of 80 has remained a blessing to Igbo nation.
He said “Today, we are celebrating our own, a man that we suppose to have been celebrating as a former president if we had gotten our political equation from the beginning. For me, Dr. Ekwueme represents many things to the Igbos and we will continue to celebrate this man that has made us proud”.
