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2007
2007: Egwu urges other zones to ck
South-East
CHARLES ABAH
GOVERNOR
Sam Egwu of Ebonyi State yesterday appealed to other geo-political zones in the
country to support the Ndigbo in their quest to produce the next
president in 2007.
He made the plea just as he
stressed the need for more political interface between the leadership and
citizenry, saying it is the tonic for the survival of the nation’s democracy.
The governor stated these at the
maiden edition of the MKO Abiola Heroes Lecture organised by the Academic staff
Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) branch.
The lecturer, Our Heroes: Our
Hope was to commemorate the deeds of the late MKO Abiola, the presumed
winner of the annulled June 12 1993 presidential election, and to honour the
Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and
Control (NAFDAC), Dr (Mrs) Dora Akunyili, for her good service to the country.
Presenting a paper entitled; Democracy
and Responsiveness: The Social-Cultural Interface, the governor, who was
represented by his Deputy Dr Chigozie Ogbu, solicited the support for President
of Igbo extraction in the next political dispensation.
He noted that Ndigbo had
never produced one despite their sacrifices and contributions to the nation’s
development.
The governor said true democracy
would only thrive in the country if there were political accommodation,
inclusion and accountability.
Democracy, he posited, lies with
the people and the political office holders, noting that their continued
collaboration was necessary for its survived and the attainment of social
justice.
The responsibility of making
democracy take root in the country lies with the government and people of
Nigeria. To do this, the three of social justice must continually be watered
through the vehicles of civil liberties, national accommodation, administrative
inclusion and responsiveness to the needs and aspirations of Nigerians," he
stated.
He, enjoined the other
geo-political zones to support them, saying it is necessary for accommodation
and democratic survival.
The governor, who listed the
numerous good deeds of the late politician, described him as a democratic symbol
just as he hailed the NAFDAC boss for her service to humankind.
Several personalities including
the governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who was represented by his
Special Adviser on Political Matters, Chief Dele Odulaja, LASU Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Abisogun Leigh, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN)
President, Mr Charles Oputa, commissioners and politicians.
Ms Hafsat Abiola received a post humous award for
her father, Chief Abiola while NAFDAC’s director, Laboratory Services, Mr S.O.
Ajayi received on behalf of Dr. Akunyili.
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