The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the apex sociopolitical youth group in the South East geopolitical zone has described the statement credited to Chief Olabode George wherein he said “What stops Iwuanyanwu from developing lgboland instead of Lagos as unfortunate and uncalled for
In a statement issued in Owerri Wednesday by the President General of COSEYL, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, he said that It is quite unfortunate that such a divisive statement is coming from a man like Chief Bode George who has benefited so much from Nigeria and who should be on the part of anything that will unify the nation and not divide it along ethnic and parochial lines.
He said: “Bode’s statement points to the fact that it is a crime to invest and do business in Lagos or any other part or state of the nation”.
According to him, Ndigbo has always believed in the Nigerian project which is why they invest heavily in any place they are residing and doing their legitimate businesses.
He said that Ndigbo provides social responsibilities to their host community where they are doing business adding that if building of companies, building of residential buildings and establishment of businesses in Lagos is not development, what then is development?
The PG declared that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide was right when he said Ndigbo are major stakeholders in the development of Lagos State.
The Youth body demands to be educated by Chiefode George on what development means if not what Igbo are doing in Lagos State.
The body recalled that during the elections, Ndigbo living in Lagos were attacked from all sides for coming out to exercise their franchise of voting candidates of their choice and Chief Bode George lost his voice when the oppression lasted.
He said: “We are surprised that he suddenly gained his voice because of the truth revealed by a renowned industrialist, Philanthropists and Nationalist, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu”.
COSEYL said that Chief Iwuanyanwu has a lot of businesses in Lagos State and other states which were established over 40 years ago that is putting food on the table of so many Nigerians.
He said: “Can Chief Bode show Nigerians his business concern that is putting food on the table Nigerians?”.
According to him the truth of who did what in Lagos is an open wound and it cannot be covered by mere newspaper publication. Ndigbo remains true believers in the Nigerian project and no amount of negative statement can change that”.
The Youth however called on Chief Olabode George to maintain his statesmanship by always standing by the truth and not making statements that will divide Nigerians more than what they already have today.
. TheWitness
