EXCLUSIVE: Ohaneze Ndigbo Commends Makinde’s Economic Policies, Says Igbos Willing To Replicate Lagos In Oyo State

By Henry Odeh

The umbrella body of Igbo community worldwide, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Oyo state chapter, has commended governor Seyi Makinde for his sound economic policies and programs which are deliberately tailored towards removing unnecessary bottlenecks that has for many years, hindered the growth of the state’s economy.

Speaking with journalists at his surprised 60th birthday party which was organized by members of his immediate family, Chief (Engr) Ndubuisi Benjamin OKORIE, The President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Oyo state chapter explained that governor Makinde’s relationship with other ethnic groups especially the Ndigbos resident in Oyo state remains robust on grounds of sincerity of purpose, good character, and strong political will.

The highly revered Chief stated that the present Oyo state government has taken some bold steps which has strengthened the confidence of Ndigbo community in the state to site their businesses in Oyo state adding that the governor has not only fulfilled his preelection promise to them by appointing an Igbo man as special assistant but has also embarked on creating the desired enabling environment for businesses and commercial activities to thrive.

He explained that igbos in Lagos state are very big stakeholders in Lagos economy largely because of their volume of investment portfolio in Lagos economy stressing that with the giant strides and bold steps taken by the Oyo state governor in developing its critical infrastructures and improving on its security architecture, Igbo businessmen and women within and outside the state are already eyeing the pacesetter state as their investment destination.

He said: “I can’t thank the governor enough because he has shown himself to be a man of character who whatever he says he does, he personally told me in the course of the campaign before his election that if he ever gets elected to be the governor of Oyo state, he would at least make an Igbo man a special assistant and he has fulfilled that promise he made to us Ndigbo in Oyo state.

“We are glad because this is the first time in the history of Ndigbo in Oyo state that this is coming to be and we thank him immensely from our hearts, we want to assure him that this is the beginning of all other relationships we will keep with him because we are in support of him.

“I know from what I have seen about the focus of the governor, his focus is what you might call public private partnership, we have made overtures I might not be able to explain to you here but we know that in due time and season, the governor will respond to our overtures because the Ndigbo are people who are highly industrious and we look forward to working with him in all ramifications.

“Igbo’s have industries in Oyo state and established businesses and enterprises, Igbos are part and parcel of Oyo state and we are willing to partner with the government.

“In the course of the campaign, he visited us as a people and we told him what our aspirations are which are an enabling environment and a level playing ground where the Igbo man will be able to ply his trade without hindrance and you will see the full impact of Ndigbo as seen in other places most especially Lagos state.

“Lagos knows the impact of Ndigbo in the economic development of Lagos state and we want to replicate same here, we are willing to do that if we have the enabling environment.”

High Chief Okorie, however commended the governor for creating a secured environment through improved security network and development of critical infrastructures noting that these are indictors of genuine commitment by the governor to economic.

Meanwhile, The Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Community Relations, Hon Femi Josiah, in his brief remark described Chief Okorie as a core family man, very successful and a silent achiever with high reputation whose humility is exceptional and worthy of emulation adding that his leadership qualities endears him naturally to people which is evident in the robust relationship between the present government and the Ndigbo in Oyo state.

Other dignitaries who graced the event senior executives of corporate organizations, religious leaders, family members and very close friends.