By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The Youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has demanded for total cancellation of RUGA settlement programme recently suspended by the federal government. The federal government, which was piloting the programme, later said it was suspending it.
But the National leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Nze Arthur Uchechukwu Obiora, in interview with Orient Daily after meeting with Anambra state chapter of the socio-cultural group, said the programme should be outrightly cancelled.
Obiora, importer of organic fertilizer, while adding that the entire South South, South East, South West and Middle belt, would in the week make known their total stands on RUGA saga, explained that people from these regions would rather channel water to herders through pipeline to wherever they base in the north for satisfaction of their cattle.
He further advocated for ranching, saying that cattle were private business individuals can invest on and thrive in without encroaching on people land, even as he enjoined entrepreneurs and other well to do Igbo speaking people to invest in cattle business.
“I have travelled to Phillipe, Thailand, Argentina, Paris and several other countries. I have conducted several researches on cattle and other field of agriculture. Countries known for cattle business invest in cattle ranch. I have organic fertilisers which are very good for cattle rearing and farming. There are also species of cattle one can rear for 8 months and sold or eat. If we get these kinds of cattle in our land, we will have more to eat and sale.
“We can’t stop eating cow meats because they are nutritious. But we can start our own. Cattle ranching will create jobs for our teeming unemployed creative youths. Our people should also stop attending burial, wedding, events and other festivals with cattle when they can actually use rope and package money in envelopes instead,” he added.
Arising from their monthly executive meeting, the Chairman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Anambra state chapter, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, said they were solidly behind the decisions reached by South East Governors Forum, John Nnia Nwodo, the General President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and Arthur Obiora led national youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on RUGA settlement and other issues of national interest.
Okpalaezeukwu, while appealing to the media to stop reporting their former National Leader, Mazi Okechukwu Isuguoro as National President or leader of the group, also reposed confidence on Obiora led administration, which according to him, would in collaboration with Nwodo led parent body, help to reposition the Igbo nation.
He further commended the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Anambra state led by Chief Damian Okeke Ogene as Chairman, and enjoined every Igbo speaking person anywhere in the world to get ready to participate on the forthcoming registration of Igbo people to be embarked upon by Ohanaeze Ndigbo for proper documentation, among other socio economic values.
“The registration is for every Igbo man or woman within the age of 18 and above. Those living within the Southeast region or Igbo speaking areas in the South South can register at their LGA of origin, while those living outside the region including those in Diaspora can do that through Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership nearest to them. This census will help us to easily access, identify and reach out to our people for help in all areas of life,” he maintained.
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