Igbo Lawyers Urge South-East Governors to Address Sit-at-Home Issue

‘Otu Oka-Iwu Nigeria,’ a collective of Igbo lawyers based in Lagos, has called upon the South-East governors to join forces in resolving the persistent sit-at-home protests held every Monday in the region. The President of the group, Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue at a press conference in Lagos.

Unegbu stressed that the sit-at-home orders are adversely impacting the economy of Igboland and that it is imperative for the governors to collaborate on strategies to alleviate this situation. He lamented the prevailing atmosphere of fear, where people believe venturing out on Mondays poses serious risks to their safety.

“Regrettably, it seems that we have been left to fend for ourselves, despite the promises made by those elected to protect us. This is our call to the government to come to our aid in Igboland,” he expressed.

Unegbu also pointed out the security challenges in the country, particularly in the South-East, and how these challenges hinder economic growth and development in the region.

“Igboland has unfortunately become a battleground where the lives of its inhabitants, young and old, are in constant jeopardy. It is the responsibility of both the central and regional governments to ensure the safety of our people and their property,” Unegbu asserted.

Highlighting the adverse impact on the local economy, Unegbu mentioned how Igboland used to be a hub of economic activity, with bustling trade routes from Onitsha-Nnewi to Aba-Orlu. However, this vibrancy has dwindled, resulting in an economy without direction.

“We need to retrace our steps and identify where we went wrong before it’s too late. Our group stands for the unity of our great country, Nigeria, as we have no other place to call home,” he added.

Furthermore, the lawyers raised concerns about the declining state of education in the region, pointing out that Igboland was once known for its strong emphasis on education.

“Today, it appears that the younger generation in Igboland has lost interest in education, a worrying trend that needs immediate attention. There was a time when states in the region vied for the top spot in the WAEC ranking, but now we hear of our children opting for fraudulent activities over education,” Unegbu noted.

In conclusion, the ‘Otu Oka-Iwu Nigeria’ group called on the South-East governments to take proactive measures to reverse this trend before it deteriorates further.