As Nigeria celebrates 61st Independence anniversary, the Eze Ndigbo Ghana and Assistant Publicity Secretary, Ndieze Ndigbo in the Diaspora, Dr Chukwudi Ihenetu, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to add more pep to the fight against insecurity across the country.
In recent days, insecurity has worsened across the nation as the country turned into killing field, with gunmen killing and vandalizing vehicles and properties of innocent Nigerians.
People are reportedly being killed in their homes, farms, school children kidnapped and houses burnt by miscreants.
In a statement, Ihenetu, who has won several peace awards for his mediation in crisis between Nigerian traders and Ghana Trade Union, said this was not the Nigeria our founding fathers dreamt of, adding that in their graves, they will turn and weep at the state Nigeria suddenly found herself.
He said: “It is sad that Nigerians are dying every day like fowl. This is uncalled for because it is also discouraging Nigerians in the Diaspora from coming home to invest and to bring investors here. It is pulling Nigeria backward as people loose their loved ones to death almost on daily basis.
“This development is not good for a sovereign nation like Nigeria. President Buhari should, please, use this occasion of Nigeria’s Independence celebration to tackle insecurity headlong. He should also protect lives and property of Nigerians,” he said.
While congratulating Nigerians on this occasion, Ihenetu said even though insecurity was a global problem not limited to Nigeria, the Federal Government should work with its neighbours, especially in the areas of intelligence gatherings so that criminals from other countries will not infiltrate our country as this could worsen the problem.
Ihenetu also called on the Federal Government to tackle unemployment, work on infrastructures and provide steady energy through electricity supply.
“Like the popular adage, an ‘idle hand is the devil’s workshop’. When thousands of youths roam the streets without meaningful source of income, it becomes easy for them to be enticed with small amount of money. But if they are engaged through adequate job creation which can only be possible under peaceful atmosphere, investors can come here, establish industries, employ most of these youths, and rate of crime will naturally come down. So, I am calling on local, state and federal governments to jointly do all they can to secure the country and rescue it from the grip of nihilists who are bent on pulling it down.”
Going down memory lane, Ihenetu recalled that Nigerians were once described as the happiest people on earth because of the nation’s peacefulness after the civil war as the country witnessed oil boom.
“Then, Nigeria used to be destination of neighbouring countries, who come here to hustle. Sadly today, reverse is the case as many of our productive youths travel out in droves in other to get daily bread.”
He said all the sweet memories have since been wiped out by insecurity with its ugly consequences of sorrow and death.