INDUSTRIALIST BEMOANS ANAMBRA SIEGE, SAYS DEVELOPMENT THREAT TO ECONOMIC SURVIVAL OF SOUTH EAST.

 

By Emma Udeagha.

A renowned Nigerian industrialist, Chief Alex Chika Okafor has bemoaned the security situation in Anambra State.

Chief Okafor, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Chikason Group of Companies, stated this when the organizing Committee for the Anambra Achievers Legacy Award, ANALEG, called on him, Saturday March 20, 2021.

The Committee which was led by Rev. Dr. John Ndubuisi, Chairman All Christians Businessmen’s Fellowship and immediate past Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Anambra State, was in his office at Nnewi, to convey his nomination as patron  of ANALEG, and one of the recipients of this year’s Akululu Uno Amaka Award by the organization.

The industrialist, who said he welcomed the nomination, provided the intentions behind the exercise was genuine, regretted the worrisome state of insecurity and targeted attacks on security personnel and their formations in the state in recent times.

He said the development posed a serious threat to economic development and sustenance of achievements of the Obiano administration in the security sector.

The foremost industrialist argued that Anambra State was the heartland of the South East hence any threat to its economy was a threat to the economic development of the South East Zone.

Chief Okafor said that insecurity in the state ‘may exacerbate youth unemployment and undermine the drive for investment and urged security agencies to increase their intelligence in order to arrest the apparent resurgence of criminal activities in the state.

On the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, Chief Okafor warned against thuggery and religious politics which he said will not help the emergence of the best person for the position and advised the state electorate to “assess the candidates by their individual capabilities and take away religious politics for the state”.

He  noted that the “best candidates had not always won elections” and called for prayers urging all hands to be on deck to enthrone a credible person as the next governor of the State.

The business mogul urged the state elders not to be partisan and advised the youth to resist being used to perpetrate electoral fraud during the forthcoming election.

Earlier, Alpha Justice, spokesman of Anambra Achievers Legacy Award Committee said that ANALEG  was an offshoot of the Igbo leaders of thought General Assembly, and was registered for recognition of excellence in public life, with Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State as National leader and Justice Anthony Igu, former Justice of the Supreme Court as National patron.

He disclosed that Chief Okafor’s nomination was in “recognition of his pedigree as an eminent individual of noble cause, who is exceptionally reliable and dependable, a great philanthropist and employer of labour”.

“You have distinguished yourself in your field and discipline as a critical thinker on nation building. We applaud your ingenuity, good sense of patriotism and benevolence which have greatly endeared you to many, and as an opinion leader, a think home philosopher, who has demonstrated the Akululu Uno Amaka matra in practical terms” Alpha said.

The body opined that as their patron and Awardee, Chief Okafor was expected to positively impact on the lives of the people and sacrifice time, talent and resources for the general development of Anambra state in particular and humanity in general.

Alpha Justice also disclosed that the Anambra Achievers Legacy Award was being organized as part of activities by the ANALEG to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the creation of Anambra State adding that 30 exceptional indigenous achievers  will be honoured at the event.

Also speaking, Sir Emmanuel Ifesinachi, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State, thanked Chief Okafor for his industry and resourcefulness and solicited his support towards the realization of the objectives of ANALEG.

The ANALEG delegation included Bishop Dr. Michael Chukwudum, Chairman, indigenous Pentecostal Members Association, Rev. Dr. John Ndubuisi, immediate past Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria and Emma Udeagha, Secretary NUJ among others.