Independence: Nothing to celebrate as more innocent Nigerians lost their lives this time than ever – Group

From Victor Duruamaku – Owerri

A political pressure group under the banner, “Imo political
Associates”, has observed that there is nothing to celebrate, to mark
Nigeria’s 61st Independence, as almost all parts of the country has
witnessed massive loss of innocent lives as a result of insecurity in
the state.

The group, Speaking through it’s Spokes person, Dr (Mrs) Eugenia Amara
Mbah expressed this opinion, during it’s General meeting in Owerri,
Thursday.

According to the group, “What do we celebrate about Nigeria’s 61
Independence, while the citizens lives in fear of all times due to
insecurity and very bad economy”.

It continued in the statement that by now, at 61, Nigerians should
have been on another level of positive development, rather than
suffering the pains of insecurity and fear of uncercertainty.

The group urged the Federal and state government to relieve the people
of these fears, by entrenching absolute good governance
“The people should be made to benefit from dividends of under sound economy”.
The group regretted that kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other
vices are the order of the day in Nigeria today.

They challenged security agencies to rise up to their statutory
responsibilities and ensure that the people sleep with their eyes
closed.

Meanwhile, Imo state government has absorbed the people of the state
that adequate security arrangements has been put in place to secure
life and property of the citizenry during and after the Independence
anniversary celebration.

The governor, insisted that the government would not tolerate the
sit-at home order issued out by the IPOB group on the Independence
anniversary.

He however, condemned the gruesome murder of the late fomer Director
–General of the National Agency for food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) Prof. Dora Akunyili.
Governor, Uzodimma, described the killing as an act of wickedness in
the highest order, which must be condemned in all ramification, he
noted in an official statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary and
Special Adviser on Media, Mr Oguwike Nwachukwu, that Dr Chike
Akunyili, was murdered on Tuesday on his way from Onitsha to Umuoti,
Eke Nkpor as he took Old Enugu-Onitsha road back to Enugu.

The Governor insisted that efforts should be made to ensure that the
killers are unmasked and brought to book.

He said “I, on behalf of the government and good people of Imo state
commiserate with the Akunyili family, of Anambra state over this
inhuman act”.