Rebuild roads in South East states, Igbo group in South Africa urges FG

Roads
Port Harcourt, Aug. 4, 2015 (NAN) Chinedu Nwogwugwu, the Chairman of an Igbo socio-cultural group in South Africa, has called on the Federal Government to rebuild roads in South East States.

Nwogwugwu, who is the Chairman of Nze na Ozo (group of titled men), made the call on phone from Johannesburg, South Africa.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the condition of some federal roads in the South East states were deplorable and needed urgent attention.

Nwogwugwu also said that the bad condition of the roads had affected socio-economic activities in the area.

He also called on governors of South East states to unite and develop the area.

“ There is need for the governors to be united, irrespective of the party they belong to. With unity, we can achieve a lot as one people,“ he said.

Nwogwugwu, who also spoke on the celebration of the new yam festival held under the auspices of the pan Igbo cultural group, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, said the event attracted other ethnic groups from Nigeria and South Africa.

The President of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo in South Africa, Chief Obi Amadi, also said that yam remains a revered crop in the South East Zone and was often celebrated at harvest time in early August.

He also said that new yam celebration was a period for merry making and offering prayers for bountiful harvest.

Amadi also urged leaders of South East states, especially governors, to offer the people democracy dividends.

“ It is when we speak with one voice that the Igbo will attract more dividends from the Federal Government,“ he said.

The President of Nigeria Union in South Africa, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, said the new yam festival projects the rich culture of Nigeria in South Africa and the global community.

“ The Nigeria Union, South Africa, regards the Ohaneze and other associations as Nigeria`s cultural ambassadors for projecting the nation`s rich culture in South Africa.

“ Nigeria Union will always encourage such associations to continue to project the rich culture of the nation in South Africa,“ he said.