Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has applauded ongoing massive community development projects across Southeast, saying such self-help initiatives was crucial for development in the zone.
It described various individual projects as proof that Ndigbo were harkening to calls by the apex Igbo socio-cultural group and southeast governors to take their destiny in their hands towards ensuring development of Alaigbo.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State had during the Yuletide commissioned various developmental projects, including constructed roads totalling over 30 kilometres, reconstructed health facilities, leisure and hospitality investments, educational and health infrastructure projects and scholarships among others.
There were also empowerments of various kinds, all undertaken by individuals and groups, as well as diasporan associations, not just in Anambra, but in other states of the region.
Reacting to the development in a chat with newsmen in Awka, Acting National Youth Leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu noted that Ndigbo, by the gesture, were returning to the age-long tested and proven method Alaigbo was known for and built.
He commended individuals and groups for committing their wealth in pursuance of the good of their homeland, stressing that government alone could not do everything for the populace.
He said, “Ndigbo as genuine lovers of humanity and peace, had from time, been responsible for creating liveable society they yearn for in the Southeast, despite decades of obvious abandonment by successive governments.
“What we saw as Ohaneze youths during the Yuletide celebrations were quite commendable and unprecedented, our people were showing true commitment to the cause of their communities.
“It is heartwarming to note that this call which the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide under Chief Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu MFR. OFR CFR (Ahaejiagamba) and Southeast governors have been making for quite a while now, is being heeded.
“These young men and women who are undertaking these projects are showing that they are truly Ndigbo by towing the line of the Late M.I Okpara, who sacrificed a lot for the development and socio-economic growth of Igboland. No words are enough to appreciate you.”
The Ohaneze Ndigbo youths leader further described the projects as critical in providing answers to the teething challenges of unemployment and youth restiveness in the region.
He said with the gainful engagements that the initiatives will provide for youths, the number of those intending to venture into crime and criminality will drastically reduce.
In his words; “This is what we have been preaching- the use of non-kinetic approaches to address the rising insecurity and youth restiveness in Alaigbo.
“A youth who is gainfully engaged will have little or no time to consider crime and other social vices. The educational scholarships will ensure that out-of-school children who ordinarilly, would have been willing instruments in the hands of crime sponsors, will now make better use of their time, acquiring knowledge that will shape their future. We can go on and on.”
Okpalaezeukwu however called on youths in various communities where developmental projects were executed to protect the infrastructure and other facilities in their respective locations.
“No reasonable people will use their own hands to tear down what they have built. Alaigbo is built with the sweat and blood of Ndigbo.
“As youths, we owe the obligation to guard these massive investments in our localities. Leaving them vulnerable to attacks, means we will no longer have them for our use in the near future.
“I therefore call on all Igbo youths to protect all government and privately-owned projects in their communities for the overall use and wellbeing of our people,” he added.
