Outrage As Reps Member Okey-Joe Onuakalusi Favour Igbos Over Yorubas In Lagos

Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, the House of Representatives member for Oshodi-Isolo II in Lagos State, is facing criticism after releasing a list of people who benefited from his empowerment programme.

Onuakalusi, who is not Yoruba and was elected under the Labour Party in 2023, has been accused of favouring Igbo people while neglecting Yoruba indigenes in his constituency.

As part of the programme, 20 people were sponsored to travel to China and Taiwan to study courses like cybersecurity, food processing, artificial intelligence, tourism, and agriculture.

Another nine people were sent to South Africa for training in nursing and diabetic care.

The following persons were sponsored on foreign trainings abroad:

1. Victor Ejike Obi – Course: Elite Agriculture | Location: Taiwan
2. Chief John Uche Onyebuchi – Course: Language and Culture | Location: China
3. Rev Aselem – Course: Language and Culture | Location: China
4. Engr Walter Ukaga – Course: Artificial Intelligence and Media Development | Location: China
5. MBA James Ihuoma – Course: Law and International Business Environment | Location: China
6. Barr Njideka – Course: Cybersecurity and Information Countermeasures | Location: China
7. Olamilekan Akinduro (Otunba) – Course: Malaria Elimination and Monitoring | Location: China
8. Samuel Ajayi-Crowther – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
9. Mrs Stella Anigbogu – Course: Malaria Elimination and Monitoring | Location: China
10. Oloyede Taiwo – Course: Malaria Elimination and Monitoring | Location: China
11. Obinna Enwerem – Course: Malaria Elimination and Monitoring | Location: China
12. Emmanuel Onyika (M.C. Senator) – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
13. Light Maureen Ogochukwu – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
14. Mrs Ebere Goudjo – Course: Ground-Based Application of Meteorological Satellite Data Processing | Location: China
15. Dr Jairus Abba – Course: Ground-Based Application of Meteorological Satellite Data Processing | Location: China
16. Mr Michael Williams Ayodeji (AY) – Course: Ground-Based Application of Meteorological Satellite Data Processing | Location: China
17. Asobi-Peter – Course: Food Processing and Fermentation | Location: China
18. Richard Oru – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
19. Kenneth Onyema – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China
20. Chukwuka Onuakalusi – Course: Tourism Development | Location: China

The following were sent to South Africa for trainings in Nursing / Diabetic Care:

1)Mrs. Gladys Chijoke
2)Dr. Jarius Abba
3)Mrs. Jenifer Chidinma Uchenna
4)Mrs. Oluchi Chioma Mark
5)Mrs. Chidinma Constance Ahaiwe
6)Mr. Barnard Chibuzo
7)Mrs. Ezinna Precious Adaukwu
8)Ngozi Uzo Nwabufor
9)Mrs. Abisola Shobande Roche (Representative & Coordinator)

Out of the 29 beneficiaries, 24 are said to be Igbo, while only five are Yoruba.

The situation has sparked outrage online, with many social media users accusing the lawmaker of sidelining local youths in Lagos.

See some reactions below:

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