.Igbo, S’South groups pledge support to Lagos govt
By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Abia State Governor, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has condemned the massive destruction of properties in Lagos during the recent crisis which followed the killing of peaceful EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State.
Ikpeazu said that the aim of the “criminals”, who destroyed and looted public assets and private businesses in Lagos State was to hurt the whole country.
The Abia State governor, who was in Lagos Wdenesday to commiserate with the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the destruction, said that Lagos remained a home for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, language or religion.
Ikpeazu particularly thanked his Sanwo-Olu for protecting the businesses and properties owned by Ndigbo during the violence.
His words: “I am here to commiserate and show my concern to my brother, Governor of Lagos, over the event that happened some two weeks ago. I’m particularly touched by the level of destruction, which will hurt all Nigerians living in Lagos. This is because Lagos is home to all; as commercial city, it is a place where everyone speaks the same language.
“I want to particularly thank Sanwo-Olu for giving protection to our brothers from the Southeast during the crisis.
“This is an indication that our people and their businesses are safe in Lagos. We will continue to live as a united country. With all of us working together, we can keep flourishing.”
Ikpeazu also urged Ndigbo living in Lagos to continue to abide by the laws of the state and eschew actions that may cause mistrust between them and members of their host communities.
He further disclosed that the political leaders had drawn a number of lessons from the recent youth protests against police brutality.
He assured that the governors were now inclined to drive up inclusion in their policies and programmes.
Responding, Sanwo-Olu thanked the Abia governor for taking the pain to travel down to Lagos from the Southeast to identify with the residents over the violence.
He promised that Lagos State government would continue to support business aspirations of the Ndigbo and protect their rights to live in Lagos.
Also, indigenes of Southeast and South-south living in Lagos paid solidarity visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Alausa.
The Igbo leaders, who were led by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, restated their commitment to the growth of Lagos, while aligning with the move to rebuild the destroyed assets.
Igbokwe said that a true Igbo son could not have been part of the those who set fire on the public assets, stressing that the Igbo are known as builders.
He said: “The attacks are unimaginable in terms of cost and worth. There is nothing that can make a true son of Igbo to participate in destruction of the land where our businesses have been most successful.
“There is an adage that says you cannot go and pass faeces where they put your food. We pledge our loyalty and stand by the government and the people of Lagos.”
Leader of the South-south indigenes in Lagos, Otunba Isaac Emiyade, said that he had lived in the state since 1977 and had never witnessed public protests in which public assets were destroyed at such level.
Emiyade praised Sanwo-Olu for promoting cohesion among all ethnic nationalities cohabiting in Lagos, pledging that people of South-south residing in the state would continue to support move to strengthen peace and progress of Lagos.
Responding, Sanwo-Olu said diversity remained the state’s strongest point, pointing out that the spirit of Lagos to host visitors and be a melting pot for all ethnic group had not been dampened, despite violence visited on the state.
