My brothers and sisters, it is with great delight that I come
before you today. This occasion is momentous because it marks the
beginning of a new political chapter for me.
The Igbo
often say, ‘Onye aghana nwane ya’. This aphorism rings loudly the
essence of brotherhood among the people of the rising sun. Before the
incursion of the British, the Igbo had sacerdotal institutions that
fostered strong communal bond. Even now, these institutions, such as the
age-grades, remain, but with modifications. Pursuing communal goals for
the benefit of the community has always been the way of the Igbo.
Since
the civil war, we have survived neglect and ostracisation because of
our ‘Ofu Obi’ principle. This communal spirit of ours has always been
tested and threatened, but we have, at each time, proved that ‘obala
aburo nmili.’
The Igbo are known to stand up for their own at the
risk of being called “bigots or tribalists” by other ethnic groups. I
know this, because I have had my own share of ethnic attacks.
In
2013, when as Minister of Aviation I supervised the remodeling and
upgrading of Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu to international standard, I
faced stiff opposition. I was accused of influencing the project to
favour my people. But I was not deterred because of my ‘onye aghana
nwane ya’ principle. At the time, the south-east was the only region
without an international airport. So, I saw to it that justice was done
in this regard.
When I sponsored the South-East Development
Commission Bill in the Senate in 2017, it was to drive the Igbo agenda.
It was an expression of a potent desire to see a change in my homeland,
and an exemplification of that sacred Igbo philosophy.
The bill
sought, among other things, to create a commission which will provide
and implement a roadmap for the development of infrastructure and social
services in the five states of the south-east – Anambra, Abia, Enugu,
Ebonyi and Imo. Let me say this here, as Senator representing Anambra
North, the bill will see the light of day again.
As you all know,
the south-east is a region with the least federal government presence –
in terms of projects. The region grapples with ecological problems, bad
roads, poor electricity, unemployment and decrepit infrastructure. It is
also the region with the least appointment in the federal government.
Besides other factors, I believe the neglect of the region fueled the
recent agitations for an independent state by some groups.
I must
say, the Igbo have achieved some progress even without the intervention
of the federal government. Anambra state, for instance, has made
tremendous progress under His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano, with
meagre federal government monetary allocations. Also, I know some Igbo
citizens even volunteer to construct the roads of their communities out
of love and dedication to their people.
My brothers and sisters,
it is a fact that the south-east is a commercial hub; it is for this
reason that I sponsored a motion for the development of inland ports in
Onitsha, Enugu and other parts of the region. The region is at a
disadvantage having to depend on Lagos for every import and export. We
have an international airport already, with the development of a cargo
export terminal and a cargo inland terminal more investments will be
attracted to the region, and businesses will flourish.
As a matter
of fact, the inland ports will be a catalyst for the economic
development of the south-east. They will provide services for the
unloading of import cargoes for splitting to smaller units, and for the
consolidation of export cargoes for shipment to destinations abroad.
This means products manufactured in Nnewi and Aba can easily find their
way to buyers in West Africa and other parts of the world. This should
be celebrated. I intend to keep this issue on the front-burners in the
senate.
Our people say, ‘ana esi n’ulo amara mma were buwa iro’,
that is, ‘charity begins at home’. As a true daughter of Igboland, I
have lived by this wise saying. I believe human capacity development is
the best form of empowerment. With the uptick in crime and criminality
fueled by youth unemployment, we must steady attention on equipping our
youth with the needed skills and means to survive in these hard times.
It
is for this reason that I have made it a routine to empower the young
men and women of my constituency with skills and cash for business. Last
month, I empowered dozens of entrepreneurs in my constituency with cash
grants to boost their business. I am happy to report that some of them
are already making progress. So far, I have empowered thousands of young
men and women in my constituency. I have also given scholarships to
brilliant but indigent students in Anambra North.
Recently, I
sponsored the Establishment of the Federal University of Aquatic Studies
Bill, which has been read a first time in the Senate. The bill seeks
the establishment of the university at Ogbaru, which is a fishing
community.
The bill is expected to develop the aquaculture sector
in the predominately fishing community by ensuring the availability of
highly skilled manpower and development of cutting-edge research and
technology for the industry. The impact of this bill when passed is
countless – our people will be equipped with modern-day fishery skills
and qualifications which will boost their business and others along the
value-chain.
Also, I have sponsored motions targeted specifically
at vulnerable people in the rural communities of Anambra North and the
state.
One of such motions is that demanding the urgent need to
embark on massive provision of boreholes in rural communities in Anambra
state.
The motion sought to address the dearth of drinking water
in Anambra North to help those rural communities that rely on unhealthy
sources of water for their daily lives. These communities require
adequate water for survival and even for their agricultural activities.
I
am happy to report that the local economy and social architecture –
that is, in my constituency, is feeling the impact of my interventions.
My people, charity begins at home.
As
a woman, my job is not complete until all women are empowered, and
until more women are represented in government. My idea of women
empowerment is giving our mothers, sisters and daughters the wherewithal
to support themselves, their homes and children, and also a voice in
their communities.
To address the discrimination against women in
government appointment, I sponsored a motion on the need to stop women
underrepresentation in elective and appointive positions at all levels
of government in Nigeria, and to implement affirmative action of thirty
percent of women.
I will continue this advocacy until change comes.
My
brothers and sisters, despite my global orientation, the Igbo agenda
and that of my core constituency has always been the centrepiece of my
politics. As a senator, my first obligation is to my constituency, then
my state and Igbo-land; it is on this note that I announce my intention
to run for the Anambra North Senatorial seat under the All Progressive
Grand Alliance (APGA).
My joining APGA is born out of the conviction that the party is the conscience of the Igbo, and because every politics is local.
APGA possesses the Midas-touch to turn the south-east into a land of gold.
My brothers and sisters, APGA bu nke anyi!
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