• Nwuche asks FG to empower Ekpeye people
By Charles Adegbite and Job Osazuwa
Eminent businessman and former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari as he strives to tackle the country’s economic crisis.
He said he was hopeful that Buhari has the capacity to transform Africa’s largest economy, despite the current challenges. He expressed confidence in Buhari’s proposed agenda for national reformation, saying it would be beneficial to all citizens.
On how to overcome the economic hardship in the land, Kalu described Nigerians as innovators, globalisation-savvy businessmen and women, farmers, manufacturers and politicians, saying they remain determined to succeed in an ever-competitive global marketplace.
According to him: “In fact, Nigerians succeed everywhere, it seems, except at home.”
Though he admitted that the country was grappling with some economic, ethnic, religious and political challenges, the former governor believed there would be light at the end of the tunnel, especially when everyone gives the needed support to the president.
“Yes, we have challenges to overcome; those that are frustratingly inherent in our current public system. We remain reliant on the same specific energy resources that are bountiful in some regions and scarce in others, creating an imbalance that perpetuates regional, ethnic, religious and political tensions.”
Meanwhile, former Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has urged the Federal Government to come to the aid of Ekpeye people of Rivers State and empower them to secure the thousands of oil and gas pipelines in the area. He stated this in Port Harcourt when Ekpeye leaders, Chiefs and youth groups paid him a courtesy visit.
The former lawmaker who is also the Esama Ekpeye Logbo of Ekpeye Kingdom, however, urged government to focus on areas which have maintained peace and not only the ones causing problems in order not to be seen as rewarding violence and luring other youths to also bear arms.
He then urged the chiefs and youths to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to succeed in the task of fighting insecurity and poverty in the country.
Nwuche reassured the people of his resolve to continue to assist in the overall development of Ekpeye Kingdom and urged youths in the Niger Delta to remain peaceful.