Former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo claims that the Igbo community contributed greatly to the development of various cities across Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, and others.

In an interview on Arise TV, Okwesilieze Nwodo highlighted the substantial impact of Igbo traders in transforming swamps into thriving markets, citing that in Lagos, for instance, a significant majority of markets were established by Igbo entrepreneurs.

The ex-governor also pointed out the substantial presence of Igbo-owned businesses in the hospitality and real estate sectors in cities like Abuja.

‘’What nobody can deny as a fact is that the Igbos have contributed immensely to the development of Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and many other cities. In any city the Igbos have contributed to building, they have come very close second to the indigenous population and sometimes neck to neck.

“In Lagos, if there are 10 markets in Lagos, seven were built from swamps by Igbo traders, not to talk about manufacturers in that city, not to talk about those who have built residential houses, not to talk about those who have built the hospitality industry. 

“In this city, Abuja, about seventy percent of the hospitality business are owned by Igbos and about 70% of the plazas are owned by Igbos. Not to talk about houses that are up for rent. These are things that are common knowledge to anybody.,” he said.

Addressing those who may dispute these contributions, Nwodo explained that the concentration of Igbo businesses in cities like Lagos and Abuja is largely due to the availability of vital infrastructure, such as seaports and government-built facilities.

The ex-governor emphasized the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo community, noting that they leverage existing infrastructure to develop their businesses.

He said, ’How many cities in the SouthEast have people outside the SouthEast have contributed in building? The answer I have for them is that business goes where there is infrastructure. The Seaport in Lagos is about the only Seaport operating in Nigeria and the Igbos do a lot of importation of goods.

“So they have to settle where the Seaport is, build markets to sell whatever they have imported into the country and whatever they have manufactured, they can easily send them along the West African coast to other West African cities.

You cannot compare the infrastructure that the Federal government has built in Abuja to any infrastructure in the South East. As people that are entrepreneurs, they come, take advantage of it and develop the place for their business and I do not think anything is wrong with that”

Watch the video below:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lindaikejiblog (@lindaikejiblogofficial)

KanyiDaily had reported how a Yoruba woman appealed to Igbo traders who traveled to the South-East for Christmas celebration, urging them to swiftly return to Lagos.

A downpour has reportedly swept away the recently constructed Ochanja Market Road, completed just one week prior by Governor Charles Soludo.

The newly constructed Ochanja Market Road is situated in the Woliwo community in the Onitsha South local government area of Anambra.

On Monday afternoon, the new road succumbed to the force of the rain, leaving coated asphalt strewn and waterlogged in various sections, as seen in a viral video.

Concerns among residents have surged regarding the quality of projects undertaken by Governor Soludo’s administration, despite substantial taxpayer investment.

Questions arise as to how a mere 20-minute rainfall could result in the significant erosion of a road constructed mere days earlier, prompting speculation about the integrity of future projects slated for completion.

A social media user expressed dismay, highlighting the rapid degradation of the “Dubai-Taiwan” Ochanja market road and criticizing the government for what is perceived as substandard workmanship.

This incident follows a recent tragedy at Ochanja Market, where a government-constructed building collapse claimed lives.

One of the posts accompanying the video, partly read: “Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s one week old Road washed away in a spit of a second. 

“The “Dubai-Taiwan” Ochanja market road in Onitsha constructed with billions of Anambra taxpayers’ money has just been washed away by just one episode of 20 minutes rainfall on Monday 25th of March 2024.

“The rainfall exposed the nature of poor quality jobs executed by the government.”

It added, “Just a few weeks ago, at the same Ochanja Market, a storey building under construction by the same government collapsed, killing an unknown number of people.

“By the time the rainfall is fully established in June, more poorly executed construction by the Anambra State Government could be laid bare for the blind to see.”

Despite the widespread circulation of the video, the state government has yet to address the concerns raised or provide clarification regarding the cause of the road’s failure.

Watch the video below:

When we complain e go be like say we to Dey talk, just one rainfall, look at Soludo’s road👇🏼

This is the same Ochanja-Iweka road they were celebrating its newly constructed needless roundabout some weeks ago.🤦🏽‍♂️

Shame dey catch me. https://t.co/VVBHNQ6hO2 pic.twitter.com/kkHNa00Iy3

— Chude Nnamdi (@chude__) March 25, 2024

"I have governed Anambra State as a trader, Soludo is a Professor and he should do his part as a Professor." Peter Obi

Professor 's part after first rain of the year 👇🥴 pic.twitter.com/X84ULWhlAi

— LORD JUSTUS N (@LordJustusN) March 25, 2024

Soludo Nwa Mgbafor will be here tomorrow to bicker on the roadside with the contractor of this substandard project. 🤣

Just one rain after the road was done and it's washed off. Solution nkea bukwa Solution.
pic.twitter.com/7dKot2N12z

— Bigwig Austin (@bigwig_austin) March 25, 2024

KanyiDaily recalls that Charles Soludo recently claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited a “dead economy” passed down by its predecessors.

A power outage occurred in the Nigerian Senate chambers in Abuja, leading to a delay in the commencement of the day’s legislative activities.

Senators present in the chambers faced an interruption in electricity supply on Tuesday afternoon, March 5.

Described as a technical glitch, the outage disrupted the scheduled proceedings as senators awaited the restoration of power.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) is expected to address the issue promptly to facilitate the resumption of the day’s sitting.

During the power outage, discussions and legislative activities in the chambers were temporarily halted, emphasizing the importance of a swift resolution by the AEDC for the Senate to resume its proceedings without further delay.

Watch the video below:

Senators await AEDC to restore the electricity supply before commencing sitting.#PowerOutage#ChannelsTVNews pic.twitter.com/LzVryAvfhG

— Channels Television (@channelstv) March 5, 2024

This comes a few days after President Bola Tinubu gave his approval for the appointment of new members to the management team of FGN Power Company Limited.