Igbokwe’s appointment: Igbo leaders express support, loyalty to Sanwo-Olu’s government

• We are partners in progress to develop Lagos- Chief Njoku,

By Moses Adeniyi

Leaders of Ndigbo and their followers in Lagos

have expressed their gratitude to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the inclusive appointment of Joe Igbokwe, expressing their support and loyalty to his government.

Describing Sanwo-Olu’s appointment as a balanced and inclusive one, the Igbo leaders said that they are on board in support of the administration in achieving its goals of a greater Lagos.

Speaking to NewsDirect, the Chairman, South-east All Progressives Congress (APC), Ndigbo; Lagos State, Chief Anselm Njoku, commended the choice of the Governor’s appointment, stressing that his cabinet has given an inclusive representation to other tribes, other than Yoruba extraction, in Lagos.

In his comments he said “Sanwo-Olu’s government has already started very well because it has recognised all ethnic groups in Lagos. It has shown that Lagos is a mini Nigeria; because in Lagos you get the Igbos, Hausas, Ibibios, people from Niger-Delta and from other tribes.

“They are all here, and Sanwo-Olu has accommodated everybody. So what we are contributing is that we shall also support his government and make sure that his government becomes one of the best in Nigeria, and I know the Igbos are going to support him.”

Expressing commitment to the goal of a better Lagos, he said that Igbos are partners in progress in the developmental course of the State, adding that Lagos is the home of Igbos and that they will do everything to protect the State.

“Although, Lagos is a Yoruba land, we are partners in the progress of Lagos State. We are partakers in the progress of Lagos State. The average Igbo man should be happy to belong to Lagos and the Yorubas too should also be happy to have people like the Igbos who are partners in progress to develop the State, making sure it moves forward.

“So we are happy being here. Yorubas are good people, and they are accommodating and good to us. There has never been any case of Yorubas attacking Igbos or any scene of crisis and war between Yorubas and Igbos in Lagos; it has never happened.

“We are grateful to the Oba of Lagos (Oba Rilwan Akiolu); we are grateful to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Governor, and other leaders. In a nutshell we are happy”, he said.

Moreover, the Ome-Udo, Ndigbo, Mainland and Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and Chairman Igbo Coalition Mainland and Yaba LCDA, Chief Oba Eme, in his capacity described Igbokwe’s appointment as a fruit of the contributions of Igbos to the development of the State.

“I think I will say it’s a fulfillment of the works that Igbo people are doing in Lagos State and the participation of Ndigbo in the APC government in Lagos State.” He said.

He added further that, “the contributions ranges from the local government level, to the state government. The Igbos participate in all the affairs within the party structure both in the local government and in the State. Whenever Ndigbo are being called upon, we all respond. Also, we give our votes to the APC government as part of our contributions.”

Furthermore, the Eze-Udo of Ikorodu West, Engineer Nwajei Ikwechukwu, attributed the appointment of Igbokwe as a proof of his contribution and service to the APC in Lagos State.

“This is a good development. When you consider Joe Igbokwe as a person, you will discover that he has paid his dues, and this is continuous. All these things have much to do with service. It does not just have to do with just enjoyment. It involves hard working. If he had not been found capable of holding to the task, this wouldn’t have been possible.” he said