Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, says the Federal Government has continually failed to recognise the immense contributions the Igbos have made in the development of Nigeria.
Ekweremadu was speaking on Sunday in Enugu when he paid a solidarity visit to Eziagu local government area of the state.
The Senator accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government of provoking Ndigbos every day, urging the people to keep working for the progress of Nigeria despite the provocation.
Ekweremadu, representing Enugu West Constituency, told the gathering that “we are going through the difficult period in Igbo land.”
“As Ndigbo, we are going through trying period, we are being provoked everyday by the government of this country in the way they treat our people, especially the marginalization going on at the federal level by the federal government.
“We are also aware of the contributions of our people towards the development of this country. The Nigeria Movie Industry, which one of the major exports we have, Igbo’s pioneered that industry; in sports, Igbo’s are all over the world doing the country proud. When you see Nigeria national team playing, 80 percent most times are Igbos and we are happy to do that,” he said.
According to him, the Igbos are more Nigerian than any tribe, explaining that those from the tribe are seen all over the sectors creating employment opportunities.
He said “any person who thinks that Igbos will be relegated and there will be peace in this country is joking. We believe in equity, we believe in justice.
“This country is big enough for everybody. Nigeria needs energy and ingenuity of Igbos, they need our creativity, they need the enterprise of Igboman and we can combine the attributes with the other tribes and Nigeria will be great.”
Speaking further, he noted that “We have already left Egypt and we will never go back to Egypt. Definitely, we will get to the promise land unlike the people of Israel; all of us will be alive when we get to the promise land.
“So, I am not shaking and don’t be afraid my people, we believe in this country, we believe in free enterprise, we believe in justice and we also believe in equity and that, we ensure that this country will get”.
