…Urges S’East Govs to pay workers before lockdown
Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has pleaded with wealthy Igbo people to help their people who cannot afford to take care of themselves, following the impending nationwide lockdown aimed at controlling spread of coronavirus.
Reports have emerged that major cities in the South East including Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Awka, Abakiliki, Owerri, Umuahia and Nnewi will experience lockdown from Wednesday following series of announcement coming out from the states.
The group also called on the southeast Governors to ensure that workers are not owed before locking down their various states as failure to pay workers their salaries is tantamount to declaring a hunger strike in their various homes.
COSEYL in release signed by its President General, Chief Goodluck Egwu Ibem and its Secretary-General, Comrade Kanice Igwe beckoned on 15 Senators of the South East and members of the House of Representatives to do the needful.
The release reads in part, “We call on our Senators: Ike Ekweremadu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sam Egwu, Theodore Orji, Chimaroke Nnamani, Rochas Okorocha, Stella Oduah, Uche Ekwunife, Chukwuka Utazi, Obinna Ogba, Patrick Ifeanyi Uba, Michael Ama-Nnachi, Ezenwa Onyewuchi and the members of our House of Representatives to remember the poor people from their senatorial zones and constituencies.”
They stressed that the call on Igbos who are more blessed financially than others to help is based on the reality that in every human society, God made the rich and the poor to exist together for a reason which has mutual benefits.
“After the Civil War, we survived as a result of our brotherly love demonstrated by our wealthy brothers who introduced apprenticeship system that today has produced more millionaires than all the university in Nigeria put together.
“We’re not facing another war, but we’re in deeper crisis arguably worst because the coronavirus have prevented the Igbo man from doing what he’s good at which is hustling to earn a living.
“Many families will suffer due to hunger, children will or may end up not eating properly, breastfeeding mothers will also have to cut short everything necessary and it could affect the nutrition of babies.
“Aside from politicians, Ndigbo has enough businessmen and women who are blessed with philanthropic spirits. They’re all over Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo State and some parts of Delta and Rivers State. And we believe they can help reduce the effect this bad situation can have on our people.
“How can Ndigbo die of hunger when we still have people like Chief Arthur Ezeh, Chief Cletus Ibeto, Tony Ezenna, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Barr. Allen Onyema, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Tony Chukwu, Leo Stan Ekeh, Ambrosie Bryant Chukwueloka Orjiakor, Mr. Peter Obi, Frank Nneji, Alexander Chika Okafor, Nnamdi Ezeigbo, Stella Chinyelu Okoli, Emmanuel Iheanacho, Nicholas Ukachukwu and Sir Emeka Ofor and Prof. Chukwuma Soludo?
“How can our mothers and children cry for food when we still have Emma Bishop Okonkwo, Pascal Dozie, Chidi Idiga, Sam Maduka Onyishi, Charles Odunukwe, Victor Nwaribeaku, Obinna Uzoh, Ernest Azudialo Obiejesi, Linda Ikeji, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, Joseph Ikunna, Ifeanyi Francis Uzodike, Anthony Enukaeme, Alex Otti, Obinna Onuoha, Vincent Obianodo, and Arunma Oteh?
“Can our old men and women cry of hunger when Cosmos Maduka, Dr. Frank Jacobs, Chief Chris Nkwonta, Nnamdi Anyaehie, Jerry Chukwueke, Godwin Ezeemo, Emeka Okonkwo (E-Money), Pearlena Igbokwe, Obiorah Okonkwo, Chika Emenike, Eric Umeofia, Chidi Ajaere, Nnamdi John Okonkwo and so many others we couldn’t mention are still alive? They asked.
COSEYL added that the call to these well-meaning personalities is not that they owe anybody anything, but was meant to alert them on the possible dangers their beloved brothers and sisters may face should everything be left in the hands of state Governors who may not likely meet up.
The group called on all the notable traditional rulers to also rise up and play their roles as this is a time to synergize.
“We First Class Traditional Rulers in all the clans making up Igboland who can also be of help to our people in various towns, communities, and villages in this trial period.
“From Umu-Nri, Ohafia, Aro, Onitsha, Orlu, Ngwa, Waawa, Anaedo, Nsukka, Okigwe, Owerri, Ikwo, Omambala, Oru, Ukwa, Idemili, Izzi, Bende, Isu, Orsu, Mbaise, Afikpo, and Mbaike, we have royal fathers that are abundantly able to deliver their people from hunger during this period so time.
“With all these personalities, who said we can’t have standard Isolation Centres all over the South East? Yes we can have them. We need to rekindle our Igwebuike and Njikoka spirit to survive this.”