Onitsha Ofala: Achebe Calls For National Economic, Security Summit to Address Nigeria Quagmire

By Ikemefuna Asika

The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnameka Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi), on Friday 18th October 2024, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convene a non-partisan national economic and security summit to collectively address the various challenges facing the country.

Igwe Achebe, while speaking during his 23rd Ofala Festival, emphasized the urgent need for the government to focus on its constitutional responsibilities regarding economic stability, security, and the well-being of citizens.

He noted that many prominent Nigerians and organizations have raised alarms over the looming catastrophe in the country if issues are not managed properly and urgently.

According to him, the government should take all necessary steps to avert the impending crisis by convening a non-partisan national summit.
“I stated that the previous 12 months were marked by uncertainties following the general election, further exacerbated by ongoing insecurity and the sudden removal of the fuel price subsidy.

“Unfortunately, the well-being of the polity has declined even more steeply in the last twelve months, leading to a ten-day national protest in August 2024, tagged #EndnaGovernance. The two areas of most concern are the economy and security. Their combined effects include the spiraling rise in the cost of living, closures, loss of employment, and a general feeling of hopelessness and lack of trust in government,” he said.

Igwe Achebe pointed out that bad governance, driven by corruption and the ostentatious lifestyles of political leaders, is a major cause of the lack of trust in leadership.

“In the Southeast zone, we continue to face the unrelenting scourge of unknown gunmen who kill, maim, and kidnap their fellow Ndi Igbo for money. Schools, markets, and public facilities have remained closed on Mondays, resulting in enormous economic and social costs to Ndi Igbo,” he said.