Truth hurts, but it must be told. Any society that wants to make a headway
must at some point turn to truth for the compass. Here are the questions I
want you to ponder this morning.
The South-East easily shout of being marginalized, but they refuse to do
that which will give them upper hand in any political situation. I have
been an adult since the Second Republic. I witnessed all the regimes since
Shagari, and at one time or the other people from the South East occupied
influential positions in government. What did they do for their people?
When Jakande\Tinubu\Fashola were planning and executing the transformation
of Lagos what did the governors of the South East do? When Donald Duke and
Akpabio were transforming Cross River and Akwa Ibom what did the governors
of the South East states do? When Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chukwuemeka
Odimegwu Ojukwu contested for the Presidency of Nigeria respectively, what
did the South East people do?
Fashola started the Eko Atlantic Estate – a project that would see to the
transformation of Bar Beach into Africa’s Hong Kong. Regardless of their
differences, Governor Ambode would continue that project from where
Fashola left off, no matter what. My question is, what are the South East
governors doing today to reposition their states in say, 15, 20 years
time? The other day I was at Aba. I was shocked at what I saw. Aba is an
eye-sore. Yet Aba can be Africa’s Italy or France in terms of fashion.
I know many South East personalities who were influential Ministers,
Senators, House of Reps members, party chieftains etc., can we point to
one specific government policy they influenced in favour of the South
East? The roads in the South East are among the worst in the country. Who
are you expecting to repair them for you? Why can’t South East political
leaders influence the Federal Government to repair Federal roads in the
South East?
Onitsha and Aba markets arguably have the biggest markets in West Africa.
What have the South East leaders done to make them the hub of African
commerce? Nnewi is arguably Africa’s Taiwan, what have South East Leaders
done to make it the hub of African technology?
Why can’t South East governors come together to turn Onitsha, Aba and
Nnewi into Dubai, Shanghai and Japan of Africa? It is possible, the means
are there, intelligent Igbo men and women are there and shrewd investors
are there. Ndi Igbo are the most hard-working people I know. Why can’t
the leaders of the South East create the enabling environment for them to
realize their full potential? Why do you wait for someone else to make
that happen for you, and when it is not happening, you cry
marginalization?
I make bold to say that of all the South East governors I knew in the
past, and those I know now, only Chief Sam Mbakwe worked for his people.
What did the others do? Please let’s tell the truth. The South East are
their own worst enemy.
And ah! before anyone accuses me, let me own up that we in the South-south
are as guilty as the South-east. I reserve comment on my people for
another day. Good morning.
Frank Ofili
24 Fatai Atere Way
Matori – Lagos