By George Ozalla
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to the people of the South East to guide their youth away from armed struggle against the Nigerian government, stressing that lasting development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.
Akpabio made the call during the funeral of former Administrative Secretary of the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission, Sir Albert Ikechukwu Nnamani, who was laid to rest in Ikem, Enugu State.
Addressing mourners at the event, the Senate President urged Ndigbo leaders and elders to take deliberate steps in mentoring the younger generation, warning that attempts to assert political demands through violence would ultimately fail against the authority of the state.
He maintained that meaningful progress for the region would come through dialogue and lawful engagement, adding that the National Assembly remains open to legislative actions that would address concerns of equity, including the possibility of creating an additional state in the South East to bring it at par with other geopolitical zones.
Akpabio said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to correcting perceived imbalances, noting that efforts have been made in federal appointments to ensure inclusion of the South East, while urging stakeholders in the region to pursue their demands through negotiation rather than confrontation.
He expressed concern over the economic impact of the sit-at-home order in parts of the South East, particularly its effect on commercial hubs such as Onitsha, describing it as a setback to the region’s well-known entrepreneurial strength.
Reflecting on the post-civil war experience, Akpabio recalled the challenges faced by the Igbo, including the freezing of bank accounts and limited financial restitution, and questioned the absence of full reconstruction in areas directly affected by the war despite the federal government’s policy of reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
He noted that while reconciliation and rehabilitation efforts were evident, reconstruction in the South East and parts of the South-South remained inadequate, calling for a renewed national commitment to justice and fairness for the region.
The Senate President concluded with a call for unity and responsible leadership, urging that the lives of young people should not be lost to misguided political actions, while expressing hope that long-standing grievances of the South East would be addressed within the current generation.
Akpabio also paid tribute to the late Nnamani, describing him as a diligent public servant who contributed significantly to the early development framework of the Niger Delta through his role in OMPADEC, noting that his service helped shape interventions in the oil-producing region at a critical period in its history.
