By John Shiklam in Kaduna
The Head of Department, Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Obasi Igwe, has attributed agitations for Biafra Republic to the neglect of the South-east by the federal government.
In a keynote address during the annual Igbo Day organised by the Kaduna chapter of the Igbo Community Welfare Association (ICWA) at the weekend, he noted that the agitation for Biafra will be needless if the federal government could address some of the unfavorable policies against the south-east.
He said what the eastern region needs is opening up of its economic prosperity through the construction of railway lines through the Middle Belt and Northeast zones which will enable the youths to engage in legitimate business.
“Open up the east and prosperity and development will explode down to the Middle Belt and North-East and the youths will fly in a united Nigeria even beyond the dream of a Biafra.
“Most youths would find a better occupation other than militancy, kidnapping, cultism, ritual murder and other criminalities” he said.
According to him, “The pressure for a second Niger bridge would be lesser in favour of a second Benue/Makurdi bridge.
“The Igbo pressure on Lagos and the concomitant recurrence of Igbo-Yoruba fractured relations, which are all ports-related, will also abate, while not making the Igbos less grateful for erstwhile Yoruba hospitality… “
