Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has stirred national discourse with a bold call urging Igbo communities in Lagos and across Nigeria to assert their rightful place in the country by actively promoting unity and demanding dividends from their historical investments in the Nigerian project.
Speaking at the high-profile event ‘Conversation with Ndigbo Resident in Lagos State’ held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Uzodimma called on the Igbo to remain committed to peaceful coexistence while also insisting that it’s time they began to reap the benefits of their nation-building sacrifices.
“Our people have always believed in Nigeria,” Uzodimma declared. “We have invested in her unity, not just with words, but through commerce, culture, and community building across the length and breadth of this country. That investment must not be in vain.”
The forum, chaired by renowned academic and former National Merit Award winner, Prof. Anya O. Anya, attracted notable dignitaries including Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd) and Senator Ben Obi. The atmosphere was one of reflection and urgency, as Uzodimma addressed long-standing ethnic tensions, particularly between the Igbo and Yoruba communities in Lagos.
The governor, a staunch ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chair of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), used the occasion to call for a new era of inter-ethnic trust, inclusion, and respect. He urged all Nigerians to acknowledge the vital contributions of the Igbo to national development and embrace a truly inclusive federation where justice and equity prevail.
He also used the platform to respond to tensions stemming from the 2023 general elections, which had frayed Yoruba-Igbo relations in Lagos. “While our constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and thrive anywhere in the country, we must also respect the cultures and traditions of our host communities,” Uzodimma cautioned.
Highlighting long-standing bonds between the two ethnic groups—including intermarriages and economic partnerships—Uzodimma emphasized the need to renew and strengthen these relationships. “What happened during and after the elections was unfortunate, but not irreparable. Dialogue, mutual respect, and visionary leadership can heal the rift,” he said.
He disclosed plans to lead a delegation of Igbo intelligentsia and stakeholders to meet with Lagos State authorities and other community leaders to foster enduring peace and collaboration.
Governor Uzodimma also held consultations with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other key stakeholders, reaffirming his commitment to brokering reconciliation and building bridges between communities.
Representatives of various Igbo groups in Lagos lauded Uzodimma for his swift intervention, describing his visit as timely and reassuring in the face of a crisis of confidence between the Igbos and their Yoruba neighbours.
The governor's message was clear: the Igbo, as integral stakeholders in Nigeria’s progress, must continue to uphold peace—but also ensure that their role in shaping the nation is both recognized and rewarded.
