October 31, (THEWILL) – The pan Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has addressed the systemic neglect of federal infrastructure development in the southeast.
A statement by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who said that Umahi’s retention as minister is an Igbo consolation gift and southeast answered prayer, said Senator Dave Umahi, as the Minister of Works serves as a remarkable shift in policy and a significant acknowledgement of the Southeast’s plight.
According to him, Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands wholeheartedly behind Senator Dave Umahi as a paragon of Igbo leadership—one whose integrity and principled approach can substantially contribute to the success of the Tinubu government in the realm of construction and infrastructural development across the nation.
He said, “The apex Igbo Sociocultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, takes this opportunity to express profound gratitude and appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his significant decision to retain Senator Dave Umahi as the Minister of Works.
“This appointment is not merely a governmental directive; it represents a beacon of hope, a long-awaited consolation gift for the people of the Southeast and Ndigbo, both at home and in the diaspora.
“For an arduous span of fifty-four years, the Southeastern region of Nigeria has encountered systemic neglect in terms of federal infrastructure development. This neglect, akin to capital punishment bestowed upon the region after the tragic conclusion of the Biafra War, has elicited widespread frustration and despair among our people. Successive administrations have oftentimes indulged in mere lip service, devoid of any substantive actions to alleviate the palpable suffering of our communities.
“The glaring absence of federal infrastructure across the ninety-five local government areas of Southeastern Nigeria has indeed fueled an atmosphere of restiveness and agitation for equity in resource allocation.
“The historical context of our struggle is critical to understanding the weight of this moment. We have witnessed systematic discrimination in the allocation of infrastructure projects, where the Southeast has persistently found itself shortchanged in comparison to other regions—a pattern that has prevailed since the conclusion of the Biafra War in 1970.
“However, we stand on the cusp of a transformative era. President Tinubu’s decision to appoint a South Easterner, Senator Dave Umahi, as the Minister of Works serves as a remarkable shift in policy and a significant acknowledgement of the Southeast’s plight.
“Senator Umahi, a certified and practising engineer of repute, brings to this critical portfolio not only his professional expertise but also an unwavering commitment to uphold the highest standards of quality in infrastructure development. His recognition of the entire nation as his infrastructural constituency does not deter him from prioritising the needs of the Southeast.
“We are confident that under his stewardship, our roads and other vital infrastructures will witness the kind of quality construction that has been long overdue. The federal government, under President Tinubu’s leadership, is poised to engage highly reputable construction firms, ensuring that the infrastructure in Southeast Nigeria will reflect the quality and resilience that our communities deserve.
“In the year since President Tinubu assumed office, the Southeast has experienced a renewed sense of optimism, catalysed by Senator Umahi’s appointment. This retention signifies a turning point—an opportunity to rectify decades of neglect and usher in a new era of infrastructural advancement within our region. Thus, we regard this as a pivotal gesture towards rekindling the trust and support of the Southeast for the Tinubu administration.
“In light of this remarkable development, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, underscores our organisation’s commitment to galvanising unwavering support for President Tinubu from the Igbo community.
“We affirm that Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands wholeheartedly behind Senator Dave Umahi as a paragon of Igbo leadership—one whose integrity and principled approach can substantially contribute to the success of the Tinubu government in the realm of construction and infrastructural development across the nation.
“It is imperative to emphasise that our allegiance to President Tinubu is significantly buoyed by our confidence in Senator Umahi. We believe that this collaborative synergy will yield transformative results, not just for the Southeast but for the nation at large. Together, we shall strive towards advancing the ideals of equity, justice and sustainable development.
“In closing, Ohanaeze Ndigbo advocates for a united front in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister Dave Umahi’s initiatives. Let us all embrace this unique opportunity to foster progress, ensuring that the voices of the Southeast resonate with strength and dignity in the annals of our nation’s development narrative”, he concluded.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
