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The Asagba of Asaba, Professor Chike Edozien has applauded President Goodluck Jonathan for the success of the National Conference but warned against any attempt to sabotage the implementation of the report of the National Conference by the committee which the Federal Government wants to set up to actualize the realisation of the work of the delegates.
Professor Edozien who was reacting to President Jonathan’s remarks on the National Conference report in his 54th Independence anniversary speech, said millions of Nigerians look forward to the speedy and successful implementation of the report of the National Conference to assuage feelings of marginalization, inequity and social injustice in the polity.
The paramount traditional ruler of Asaba Kingdom, said the Federal Government must ensure that no agency of government should be allowed to frustrate the work of the National conference through the use of government white papers and bureaucratic mechanisms that often characterize government response to such exercises in the past.
In a statement signed by the Secretary General of Anioma Congress, Sir Dan Okenyi, the professor emeritus of Medicine said President Jonathan who hails from Bayelsa State, is in a better position to understand the benefits of restructuring of the polity as exemplified in the experience of his home state Bayelsa, which has witnessed tremendous socio-economic transformation since its creation 18 years ago.
According to the Monarch, “the experience of Bayelsa State which was created 18 years ago, assisted tremendously to give Ijaw people a sense of belonging, economic inclusion and political participation which helped to douse tension and militancy in the country.”
The Asagba noted that the other Sates created since 1967, 1976, 1987, 1991 and 1996 have witnessed tremendous developments that justify the process of restructuring as a mechanism for rapid social and economic transformation.
He said the spate of inter-ethnic and religion inspired conflicts in the country will dissipate once Nigerians are given a sense of belonging through administrative mechanism that promotes equity, fairness and justice.
The monarch expressed appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for giving Anioma sons and daughters the opportunity to render services to their country at the highest levels,
Specifically, the Asagba said “Anioma people are grateful for appointing Mr. Godwin Emefiele as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh as the Chairman of PDP South South zone, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala as the Finance Minister and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Prof. Sylvester Monye, Presidential Adviser, Project Monitoring, Prof. Pius Okediegbe, Presidential Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr, Ngozi Olejeme, the Chief Executive of NSITF and a prime mover of SURE-P and former Presidential Adviser, Dr. Mrs Esther Uduehi.”
He expressed satisfaction with the contributions of other Anioma professionals and technocrats in the Jonathan’s administration who have continued to distinguish themselves to the admiration of millions of Nigerians.
He said this is a demonstration of the fact that an Anioma State will be in good hands when created and its abundant wealth in solid minerals, oil and gas reserves, agriculture and Internally Generated revenue through trade and commerce will make Anioma state less dependent on statutory allocation to survive.
