The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Anambra doctors to offer free services to rural dwellers

    Over 120 consultants in teaching hospitals in Anambra State have expressed their willingness to offer free medical services to rural dwellers in various communities of the state.

    They said their closeness to the rural communities would reduce the difficulties locals encounter accessing them at the teaching hospitals.

    The Chairman, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Dr. Eric Ihekwoaba, in a chat with the Nation, regretted heavy concentration of specialists doctors at the teaching hospitals as against the remote areas of the state.

    He solicited for state government’s partnership and support to ensure the body extended qualitative health care services to many, especially in the rural areas.

    ‘We have high concentration of specialists doctors at the teaching hospitals but in the rural areas, we don’t.

    “We want the government to help us so we give our services at no cost. So far, the cost of the treatment we gave were fully borne by the doctors.

    “It is purely humanitarian and non-governmental. It has no political undertone. We want to give back to society where we are working.

    He said, “Part of the AGM was free medical outreach to remote areas of the state, targeted at reaching out to indigent patients, and those at difficult terrains who cannot reach us at the teaching hospitals.

    “Our target populations are those who have conditions that can be managed. So we have requested that the state government partner with us to ensure sustainability.

    “After treating the patients for the first time, the government can carry on with them through monitoring and follow up.

    “Apart from that, this facility we are using to treat people need to be provided by the government so we can consolidate that with our services.

    “The partnership will also involve structural facilities including provision of accommodation for doctors in such areas to ease their work.

    “As federal workers working in the state, we have to give back to them because they have accommodated us, and if the environment is hostile, we cannot work here.

    Revealing that 2016 edition of the outreach gulped a whopping sum of N5milllion, Ihekwoaba said the association was already spending over N6million in the current edition.

    His words, “What this means is that it will be difficult to carry out the outreach at a regular intervals because of funds.

    “But if government can come in to ameliorate the cost, we can give free medical services at a more regular intervals may be six months or annually.

    “We have more than 120 consultants in the teaching hospitals willing to work than the places we visited.

    “More importantly, some of our resident doctors who are in training also need this avenue to perform surgery unlike when they are in teaching hospitals.

    “It will help our younger doctors to also work in rural area because it is not everyone that will work in town.

    “We need these people more in the rural areas where there are more diseases and people cannot access health care.

    “Everyone has right to receive qualitative health care and that’s what we are doing.”

  • FUTO SSANU protests unpaid allowances

    The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) on Monday joined the three-day national protest in line with the directive of the national leadership of the Union.

    The aggrieved Staff, deplored the Federal Government over non-payment of their earned allowances, refusal to abide by the Court ruling which reinstated the Universities schools that were sacked and show of apathy in implementing the Memoranda of Understanding reached with the Union.

    Displaying placards with various inscriptions such as “SSANU says no to injustice on staff issue’’, “FGN must obey Court Order on staff issues and comply’’, “Pay us our earned allowances now FGN”, the protesters noted that “members of the staff domiciled in University Staff schools have been subjected to trauma, insecurity and denials of salaries”, a situation they said the Union cannot continue to accept.

    Addressing journalists, the branch Chairman of SSANU, Comrade Franklin Matthews, said that their protest followed the resolution reached at the National Executive Council 35 meeting held at Enugu State University, which directed all the branch Chairmen to organize a three day national protest across the country.

    He said that the meeting reviewed the various status of the MOUs signed between the Federal Government and the Union in respect to the actualization of the 2009 agreement reached with the Federal Government

    Marthews condemned the continued delay in the payment of the earned allowances to non-teaching staff of universities by the Federal Ministry of Education after an approval has been made following the demand of the template for the payment to the unions

    While describing the letter sent to the unions as a delay tactics by the Federal Ministry of Education, he maintained that the letters are needless “because the unions had always made their positions known since the irregular disbursement of the N23b to ASSU in 2017”.

    The SSANU Chairman regretted that the delay in the payment has become a source of discomfort and embarrassment to members of the Union.

    He condemned the failure of the Federal Government to reinstate their staff who were disengaged despite the ruling by the National Industrial Court on December, 5th 2016

    The branch Treasurer of the union, Comrade Uchenna Nwokeji, in his contribution, lamented the present condition of the affected Staff that are yet to be reinstated by some Universities.

    Decrying the poor state of infrastructures in the Universities, Nwokeji,  called on the Federal Government to monitor how funds allocated to Universities are expended to ensure that the funds are properly utilized.

  • Ojukwu, Mbakwe, Maitama Sule awards enliven Imo

    At a glittering Igbo Day event in Owerri, the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Sam Mbakwe and Maitama Sule get the highest honours, reports OKODILI NDIDI

    The late trio Alhaji Maitama Sule, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe came alive in Owerri, the Imo State capital. The city itself also came alive as it hosted an illustrious gathering on a night of honours for the unforgettable threesome. Their contributions to nation building and humanity still live after them.

    It was a night of mixed feelings at the Ikemba Ojukwu Heroes’ Pavilion, where eminent Nigerians gathered to honour the fallen heroes. With great oratory, speaker after speaker relived the times of these great Nigerians for their different roles in uniting and developing the country.

    They were conferred with posthumous awards at the maiden Imo Merit Award, a colourful event that marked this year’s Igbo Day celebrations.

    The late Maitama Sule was awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of Imo (GCOI) because of his stand against corruption and divisive tendencies. He was lauded at the award ceremony for playing a key role in engendering unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.

    Kano State Governor Abdulahi Ganduje, who received the award on behalf of the late Sule, said he was a rare politician who put national interest above tribe and religion.

    Ojukwu, the late Biafran warlord, was conferred with the Grand Chancellor of the State of Imo (GCSI) for providing leadership for the Igbo, during and after the civil war.

    Ikemba as he was fondly called remained a strong voice for the Igbo until his death in November 2011. His name invoked emotion as the shouts Ikemba! Ikemba! erupted when it was announced for the honour.

    For Sam Mbakwe, first governor of old Imo State, the award of the Grand Chancellor of the State of Imo (GCSI) was described as deserving. Mbakwe is reputed to have initiated all the major infrastructure and businesses in the state.

    Some of his landmark projects which are still thriving include the famous Concorde Hotel, Imo Palm Plantation, Avutu Poultry, Aboh Mbaise Raising Paint, Textile Industry in Ehime Mbano and the Amaraku Power Plant, among others, were his projects.

    Till today, this record has remained unbeaten and it was not surprising that Dee Mbakwe, as he is fondly called, was conferred with the highest award in the state. It was rather late in coming, though, considering his contributions to the old Imo state.

    The living were not also left out, as array of distinguished personalities including frontline Igbo leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Presidents of apex Igbo and Yoruba socio-cultural groups, Ohaneze Ndigbo and Afenifere, Nnia Nwodo and Ayodebanjo, Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Ganduje, Paul Unongo, former President of Ohaneze, Gary Enwo Igariwey and Chief Ndubuisi Kanu, among others who have made significant contributions to the development of the nation.

    In his speech at the event, the State governor, Rochas Okorocha, said the gesture was to remember the sacrifices made by Nigerian heroes who are no more and to show appreciation for what they did.

    He said such Award will spur the living to work harder and contribute to nation building and service to humanity, knowing that their efforts will not go down uncelebrated.

    The governor noted that the State had “chosen to honour some Nigerians who have distinguished themselves both in conduct and in service”.

    According to him, “this night is a night specially mapped out to honour our great leaders from this State and other parts of the country and beyond who have distinguished themselves excellently both in Conduct and in service and in the overall development of our dear State and nation.

    ”We have discovered that the problem with our people is that we are not good with history and the fact that we don’t easily remember the worthwhile developmental strides of our heroes past; we are at a loss in the shortest possible time and tend to forget these great nationals that have brought about our greatness”.

    He continued that, “it is therefore as a result of the foregoing that the Imo State government under law number 18 of the Imo State House of Assembly had passed a law to honour our own and those who have in one form or the other impacted on the lives of the people of this State and beyond”.

    “The Imo State Committee on the Merit Award nomination had carefully selected and eventually came up with the list of Awardees which we have decided to honour tonight”.

    In his response, Chief E.C. Iwuanyanwu said that he was elated by the Award and confessed his indifference to the Rescue Mission Government despite the kind overtures of the administration to him.

    He added that though he has received accolades from both local and international bodies, he cherishes the Imo Award most.

    President-General of Ohaneze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo poured encomiums on Governor Okorocha stating that the Award would prompt him to continue to push further the frontiers in the furtherance of Igbo development.

    He added “I know that someday, someone somewhere will recognize these efforts just like Owelle has done this glorious night. I pray for the coming together of all Igbos so that we will all come to the drawing board to see and correct where we have missed it and to take our rightful place in the comity of this entity Nigeria and the world at large. I commend Owelle Rochas Okorocha for this Award and for single-handedly building a befitting headquarters for Ohaneze Ndigbo in Enugu”.

    Governor Ganduje in his speech said “I hold this Award very precious to my heart. I am not surprised at the Award knowing that Owelle is one of the best detribalized Nigerians that have the heart for the general good of this nation. I commend the contributions of Ndigbo in Kano State and the foundation of the Imo State Governor, Rochas Foundation Colleges that have impacted positively on the lives of numerous Nigerian children from the length and breadth of this Country”.

  • Fed Govt trains 5000 in Anambra

    The Federal Government under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and National Directorate of Employment (NDE) is training and empowering 5000 unemployed youths and women in Anambra State.

    Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige said under the scheme, the trainees could get loans through the NDE at the Central Bank ranging from N1 million to N10.

    He said the cosmetology training was designed to equip the trainees with skills to produce household products like soap, car wash and disinfectants, among others.

    Addressing the trainees at the Awka South Local Government Area, the Minister said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was laying a foundation for a new Nigeria.

    Ngige said the federal government was prepared to scale down unemployment in the country as soon as possible, adding that the current government does not indulge in noisemaking.”

    The Director General of NDE, Nasiru Mohammed Ladan, said the success of the government’s economy was not determined by the number of skyscrapers people see in the cities, but in the robustness of the rural economy

    This according to him, “when the rural economy thrives, the economy at the center would also be healthy with the prices of goods and services, reducing inflation decreasing and ultimately the negative effects of unemployment and social vices would reduce

    Anambra state Coordinator of NDE, Mr Eke Joseph Iruegbu, said currently, 3000 were being trained, while 1500 had already benefitted

    He said the training was going on simultaneously in seven local government areas in Anambra Central senatorial zone of Awka North, Awka South, Idemili North, Idemili South, Dunukofia Anaocha, among others.

    Ladan and Iruegbu, commended Ngige for sponsoring the programme, which, according to them, has helped in alleviating poverty in the state.

  • Ndigbo to negotiate with other nationalities

    Ndigbo have said there seems to be a scheme to exclude them from the Nigeria political equation, but they also stressed the need to negotiate with other interest groups, ethnic nationalities to create an enabling political structure, if they will remain relevant in the country.

    The group made the submission at the Igbo National Stakeholders Assembly (INSA) Summit and Prestigious Awards 2018 in Lagos with the theme, “Ositadinma”.

    Chief John Uche, INSA Convener and first president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos, said the time had come for Ndigbo to make conscious effort to ensure that they are not undermined politically.

    He said, “Election is around the corner, a lot of people are jostling for political offices, making coalitions for political relevance. But Ndigbo appear to be complacent about the issue of the moment.

    “We are here to tell them that we have suffered in the last four years and the next four years, we do not want to suffer again. Our businesses collapsed, we were excluded from the scheme of things, no key appointments by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    Uche maintained that there would be need for Ndigbo to negotiate their votes, adding that any political party that would ask for the Igbo votes must negotiate with them appropriately, pointing out that the condition would also include assent to call for restructuring Nigeria, even as he agreed that they had not entered into any agreement yet with any political party.

    The keynote speaker Mr James Ezike, a lawyer, who was represented by Okey Onuakalusi, lamented that it was 40 years ago that an Igbo man, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, attained the highest political office of vice president, while further attempt by him (Ekwueme) in 1999 at the Presidency failed because of political conspiracy.

    He said there seemed to be a political conspiracy to exclude an Igbo man in the nation’s political equation, stressing that power is never donated or given, but asserted, adding that if Ndigbo want any political position, they must prepare for it.

    He maintained that the task before Ndigbo would be to raise their political consciousness, where the interest of the people would be promoted above personal and egoistic interest.

    Speaking through the vice president of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos, Vitus Uzoh, the socio-cultural organisation made its position on 2019 election clear, saying that candidates that were not credible should withdraw from the elections.

    It pointed out that the body had been able to sensitise its members adequately on the need for full participation in the elections by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), vote for only credible candidates of their choice, even as it appealed for a peaceful general elections.

  • Igwe-elect builds cottage hospital in Enugu community

    The newly elected traditional ruler of Ogbogidi/Ozara in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, High Chief Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu is building a 20-bed cottage hospital for his community.

    Asadu until his elevation to the traditional stool was a nurse in Dallas Texas for over 24 years before the community bestowed on him the traditional authority of Ogbogidi/Ozara autonomous community.

    Laying the foundation stone of the hospital in the community, the chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area Chief Patrick Omeje represented by Mr. Chinedu Aniche administrator Nsukka West Development centre said that the cottage hospital embarked by the Igwe-elect of Ogbogidi/Ozara community was a restoration of human dignity, adding that sacred human life is centred on healthy situation and environment.

    Omeje said that the cottage hospital will be of immense assistance to the community and beyond, noting that the singular act of the traditional ruler elect was to complement the state governor, Ifeannyi Ugwuanyi’s developmental strides across the three geo-political zones of the state.

    “For a traditional ruler-elect to embark on a hospital project for his community to ameliorate health challenges shows commitment and care for the community. The project will save the cost travelling long distances for medical attention. Communities in the state should not wait for government to do everything for them. This was the reason why High Chief Asadu embarked on the cottage hospital to augment the state government efforts in the communities.

    “Recently the state government disbursed N5 million to every community in the state to embark on any project of their choice to bring governance closer to the grass root. The new autonomous communities are yet to benefit from the state government gesture while High Chief Asadu did not wait for the state government gesture and took the bull by the horn erecting 20-bed space cottage hospital for his community,” he noted.

    Omeje called on donor agencies, philanthropists, and NGOs, among others, to emulate the kind gesture of Asadu and embark on any project in their various communities and

    change the type face of the community to assist government efforts on infrastructural development Speaking at the occasion, the donor said the project ýwas a divine call from God to put a permanent structure for the community than the annual merriment of food, drinks and gift items.

    The traditional ruler-elect said that the hospital project was part of the burning desire in him to tackle the health challenges in the community and beyond, explaining that it was not

    healthy for pregnant women and sick ones of the community to travel long distances for medical attention as he can afford to build a cottage hospital for the community.

    Asadu explained that he was mostly touched to embark on ýthe cottage hospital having paid hospital bills for people of the community for over 20 years, adding that the cottage hospital when completed hopefully on or before August 2019 will be free medical services to the community.

    The traditional ruler elect noted that he would employ and pay both ýdoctors and nurses, equip the hospital with drugs at all times to ensure that nothing lacks for the health of people of the community.

    He said that the hospital was meant to contain 14 beds for adults and six beds for children with pharmacy department and outpatient bay, pointing out that Ogbogidi/Ozara community raised him and it is time to give back to the community what it bestowed on him.

    Asadu said that the community meant a lot to him as he provided electricity, water and just recently built a bungalow for indigent widow of the community, adding that people should not wait for government to do everything. Philanthropists have to play a role in development.

    “It is better for me to die in charity than having fat bank accounts while people wallow in abject poverty and penury. I will not pack money for my children in banks, they have to make their own money and perform more than me. If I am installed by the state government it will give me more access to issues of the community than calling on government assistance. I made my money in nursing and know what it is for people to be healthy,’’ he said.

    Also speaking Nsukka local government supervisory councillor for health, Hon. Florence Chinonye Ugwu expressed gratitude for singular gesture of the Igwe elect embarking on 20 bed cottage ýhospital for Ogbogidi/Ozara community which remains second to none in the history of the entire Edem Ani ancient kingdom of Nsukka Local Government extraction and Enugu State in general.

    Ugwu noted that both the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the local government chairman of Nsukka Chief Patrick Omeje have achieved a lot in the health sector on areas of child delivery system, extension of district hospitals in the three geo-political zoes of the state.

    She noted that Chief Omeje recently donated his monthly salary for medical services in the locality, supporting the health sector of the council in immunisations and other health facilities and creating more health centres at various communities in the area.

  • Fed Govt road project excites Abia community

    A Federal government delegation from the Ecological Fund Office of the Presidency, Abuja led by Mr. Abubakar Takuma arrived in Okpoji Aku community in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State on December 16, handing over a federal government road project in the area to the contractor Smace Nigeria Limited. This signaled the take-off of work on Uratta Road, a 3km stretch.

    The road which was last rehabilitated during the administration of former governor of the state Orji Uzor Kalu, has suffered neglect in the hands of successive administrations. The Port Harcourt end of the road has been turned to a market, while weeds have taken over the middle of a road that once witnessed movement of cargo trucks and other commercial vehicles on a daily basis.

    Residents of the area including a representative of Aba South State Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Clinton Ebere whose house is located on the Uratta Road, find it hard getting to their homes during rainy season as a result of flood.

    It was also gathered that some residents and house owners of the area have abandoned their homes after they were submerged by flood that sometimes resulted to death.

    One of the residents who gave his name as Ifeanyi said the impassable nature of the road has made the people live in fear because of the activities of hoodlums and cultists who now find their area a safe haven to committee all manner of crimes.

    Here is some good news. The federal government through the Ecological Fund Office of the Presidency has stepped in to ensure the reconstruction of the 3km Uratta road project that is budgeted to cost the sum of N460m.

    The traditional ruler of the benefitting community, Eze Onyebuchi Ugwuzor, Aku Akpu II of Okpoji Aku autonomous community could not conceal his relief when the federal team visited. He said, “This road has stayed more than 18 years now. God will bless you. I am promising that by the time they would be commencing work here, we will give them the necessary security that they would need. God will help us to protect them and their working implements.

    “I want to also appeal that unemployed youths of the community will be given the opportunity to work with them so that they will from such, see what to do in order to put food on the tables of their families.

    Mr. Takuma from the Ecological Office of the Presidency, under the supervision of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha said that they got to know about the problem of the area through the member representing Aba North and South federal constituency who drew their attention to the plight of the people.

    Takuma expressed hope that the road project on completion would help to ease the sufferings of the people and also improve economic and business activities in the area.

    He said that he would be coming to the construction site early next year to see the progress of work on the road.

    In an interview, the lawmaker representing Aba North and South, Hon. Ossy Prestige said that he was touched by the plight of the people when his attention was drawn to the situation in Uratta.

    Prestige said that as a lawmaker representing the area, he couldn’t have closed his eyes or feels less concerned when the people are suffering.

    The lawmaker who stated that the road would help to ease off the usual gridlock on Port Harcourt road and improve the lives of people in the area disclosed that he had started lobbying to attract the federal government to the road before Babachir Lawal, former SGF was ousted from office.

    He thanked Boss Mustapha and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approving the rehabilitation of the Uratta road that has been abandoned in the last 17years by successive administration in the state and national level.

    “We came here with some of the management staff of the Ecological Fund Office of the Presidency. They have come here to do the final inspection and possibly to flag off this very important road which by the special grace of God, I attracted the attention of the federal government to do it for you.

    “Please, what we are pleading with you especially those who have turned this place into a market because the road hasn’t been in use for over 15 years. We are appealing to you to please relocate your shop. Job will begin on this road immediately.

    “What we are appealing to you is to give them your maximum support and cooperation that they deserve because this road has cost a whole lot of inconveniences to those living around this area.  For this number of years, we know what you people have been going through and we want to solve it once and for all. We know that you all have suffered and that your suffering is coming to an end,” Prestige stated while addressing some of the traders who have turned the Port Harcourt end of the road to a mini market.

    Also speaking, the representative of the contractor handling the project, Chinedu Okeke of Smace Nigeria Limited, begged for maximum support and cooperation of the people and pledged to engage the services of youths in the area during the rehabilitation work.

  • House committee makes case for more military funding

    The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Army, Hon. Shawulu Kwewum has called for more funding for the military.

    Speaking on a visit to the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia, Abia State, Kwewum said it has become necessary for the military to be have more funds because of the numerous tasks it undertakes, including the fight against insurgency, kidnapping, and child trafficking, among others.

    He said, “We have a lot of security challenges across the country and you have seen the challenges and the efforts being made. There have been some improvements, but there is still a lot of work to be done. I’m sure that as we increase the funding for the military, they will be able to perform optimally. Today the military is actually performing the functions of the police because of the weaknesses that we have. The army traditionally is supposed to be facing external aggression; people trying to threaten the territorial integrity of the country. But now we have a situation where the army is involved in fighting kidnapping, cultism, oil bunkering, child trafficking and other crimes. So, their roles have increased but their funding hasn’t been increased. That’s the gap that we have.”

    Hon. Uko Nkole, member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly and a member of the committee in whose domain the 14 Brigade Headquarters is situated said, “I am very happy that the committee has come to appraise the situation on the ground.

    “The gaps have been noted and through appropriation, the committee will cure whatever that is the problem in the barracks. We have seen it and I’m very happy that the officers here are professionals in what they do. It is one thing to have officers and it is another thing to have officers that will conduct themselves in professional manners. I am proud of them and to say that the committee will do its possible best within our legislative frame work to do that.”

    The Commander of 14 Brigade, Brigadier General Abubakar Ibrahim noted that the brigade has been active in tackling oil bunkering, kidnapping, armed robbery, farmers/herdsmen clash, activities of secessionist groups and other activities that would have caused a breach of the peace in Abia State and its environs.

    Ibrahim using the opportunity of the visit to draw the attention of the committee to the areas of need of the command, listed inadequate lift capacity, accommodation, water supply, poor road network, epileptic power supply, inadequate medical facilities, among others, as some of the challenges facing the brigade.

  • 12 undergrads to get foundation’s scholarship

    A foundation known as Lively Hope Outreach Ministries which was founded by Rev Benson Ezem, a former state chairman of Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is to give scholarship to 12 undergraduates.

    Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia, the state capital, the chairman of the foundation and state commissioner for Special Duties, Establishment and Training, Lady Elizabeth Uhuegbu said the foundation has other aspects which include musical concerts where choirs come to perform.

    Uhuegbu said that the musical concert is a programme designed to enable choirs sing on to God after which the winners will go home with various categories of trophies and cash awards.

    “We intend to groom gospel singers for God,” she said, adding that the event comes up on December 26 every year to mark the date the founder and his wife met during a village celebration.

    The chairman of the foundation said that the second phase of the programme is the award of scholarship to deserving undergraduates in courses such as accountancy, medicine, architecture, law, nursing, and pharmacy.

    Uhuegbu said that the scheme has produced many graduates who are working in various areas.

    “The scheme is not a one touch scheme as all our beneficiaries are sponsored till the end of their academic programme,” she said.

    She said that the foundation will honor and reward six people who have touched lives through education.

    Uhuegbu said, “Ours is not just to give scholarship and go away, we take a step further by monitoring their academic performance level to ensure that they are making good use of the scheme”.

  • ‘Don’t call us Igbo Muslims’

    Muslims of Igbo extraction have formed a platform called South Eastern Muslims Organisation of Nigeria (SEMON).

    At their first meeting held in Enugu, they kicked against being addressed as “Igbo Muslims”, which they said has some connotation of inferiority.

    National Chairman of the group, Muhammad Obiahu Ajah disclosed this while addressing the faithful at Islamic Centre, Uwani, Enugu.

    He said it was high time they defined how they should be addressed by other people, pointing out that there were no such designations as Hausa Muslims or Yoruba Muslims or even Ijaw Muslims”.

    Ajah stressed the need for them to ensure that their identities tally with Igbos by aligning with Igbo Agenda, adding that they cannot bear to isolate themselves from what majority of Igbo people legitimately demand from the central government.

    He reminded the participants that they have an origin which is Igbo, but was quick to add that they must continue to identify themselves as Nigerians and work for the growth of Nigeria as one.

    Ajah said, “It is time for us to define how we should be addressed by other people. Yes we are called by our own Igbo people as Ndi Alakuba which literally means the people of Allahu Akbar. That is a very fantastic nomenclature. By that, we are referred to as The People who believe that God is great.

    “Being addressed as Igbo Muslims, after critical examination, infers some sense of inferiority. That is unacceptable because Islam is a universal religion and the yardstick of closeness to the lord of Islam-Allah-is piety which any Muslim of any race can wear by the grace of Allah.

    Presenting a paper at the event entitled “Igbo Muslims Challenges: A Way-Out and Prospects,” the guest speaker, Suleman Agha Afikpo identified loss of identity to other ethnic group as the major fear of most agitations against Islam spreading in Igboland.

    He noted that average Igbo believe any one in contact with Islam denounces his/or her ethnic affiliation for Hausa culture.