Former Governor of Anambra State and Senator
representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige has
addressed the media on the alleged deportation of ndi Igbo from Lagos
State. Senator Ngige stated this in a letter to Aka Ikenga a socio cultural
group which had requested that he take up the matter with the Governor of Lagos
State. Below are the contents of his letter and attached annexes( communication
between Lagos State and Anambra governments)
Greetings,
I write in respect of the above subject matter,
which Aka Ikenga at its 28th July, 2013 general meeting which I was privileged
to attend as Special Guest of Honour, requested me to take up with the Lagos
State Government. I am glad to inform you that I was received in audience the day
after, by His Excellency; Governor Raji Babatunde Fashola( SAN) the Governor of
Lagos State and the issue was discussed exhaustively.
At the meeting, the Lagos State Governor
disclosed that contrary to claims, the issue in question has nothing to do with
deportation, but a Social Welfare Intervention, involving several homeless
destitutes and other psychiatric cases roaming the streets and some living
under the bridges in Lagos. These people were taken in and treated and cared
for by the Lagos State Government free of charge and thereafter needed to be
reintegrated with their families.
After this rehabilitation the affected people
disclosed their true identities and the disclosure revealed that 14 of them
were from Anambra State. For the purpose of reintegration with their kith and
kin back home( most of them had nobody in Lagos) and for further social support
and care, Lagos State Government communicated the Anambra State Government as
well as other affected state governments to come forward and identify and take
over their people. (see letter as annex 1)
On receipt of this communication, Anambra State
Government requested for the identities of those claiming to be from the state(
see letter as annex 2). The list was promptly supplied to them by Lagos State
for immediate and urgent action( see letter as annex 3).
With further contact and pressure Anambra State
Government preferred that the handing over be done at bridge head and Lagos
State obliged but found no Anambra State Government Representative on arrival
at the agreed date and was hence forced to leave the people at a government
office they found at the Niger Bridgehead.
The Lagos State Government further explained that
this kind of exchange of destitutes occur between states, as she recently went
to Akwa Ibom State to take back two of her rehabilitated citizens.( see letter
as annex 4).
You will recall Mr. President of Aka Ikenga, that
I had assured the Aka Ikenga members that the Lagos State Government that I am
familiar with will not go out of its way to cause hardship to our people and
this is evident in its disposition as the first Government of Lagos State to
appoint an Igbo as a commissioner and many others into other cabinet positions.
For promotion and maintenance of the good
relationship that exists between the Igbos who form about 25% of the population
of Lagos State and their Lagos host, I have secured an appointment for you, the
President and Executive members of Aka Ikenga to further discuss this matter
and other sundry issues affecting Ndi Igbo in Lagos State, with the Lagos State
Governor on a date that will be mutually agreed by both parties.
As a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (
ACN), which is the party in power in Lagos State, I wish to further reassure
you and Aka Ikenga in particular and Ndi Igbo in general, that the government
of Lagos State, that I am familiar with does not and will not harbour any anti
Igbo agenda, as being, insinuated in some certain quarters.
Accept as usual the assurances of my highest
regards.
Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, MD, OON, KSJ
Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial
District
( Former Governor Anambra State, 2003-2006)
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