The leader of Nigerian Igbo Community in Europe (NICE), Chief Chris Ebede has faulted reports circulating in UK and some countries in Europe which describe South-East Nigeria (Igboland) in general, and Anambra State in particular, as insecure and a no-go area for visitors.
According to him, the claim that the South-East is a haven for armed robbers, kidnappers, advanced fee fraudsters and ritual murderers is untrue and unfortunate.
He pointed out that the reports circulating in UK and some countries in Europe had led to a steady degeneration of social and economic infrastructure in the South-eastern states.
He added that the neglect of the zone by the Federal Government is worsened by the poor, dishonest leadership and governance style of the governors in spite of bogus claims of achievements.
“Another negative report was the abysmal lack of employment generation facilities especially for youths in the zone which has exacerbated the rate of crime in the zone which, in this case, was true in the recent past in Anambra State, resulting, among other repercussions, in our people residing outside the state, those in the Diaspora not visiting home to contribute to the development of the state,” Ebede said, leading a delegation of NICE on a fact-finding visit to Anambra.
He explained that the reports, which did not go down well with Igbos in Diaspora and, therefore, were tabled at the organization’s biennial annual conference/convention and, consequently, the conference, resolved to send the fact-finding delegation to the South-East to investigate the situation on ground.
He added that due to some logistics challenges, NICE restricted its first mission to only Anambra State as a pilot project.
-Vanguard