OYC calls on FG to turn to Aba for PPE solution, hails Ikpeazu, Umahi

The Apex Sociocultural body of Igbo Worldwide, youth wing, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC), has called on the Mohammedu Buhari led Federal Government to turn from looking outside and look inwards for the solution they seek in effort to combat and contain the further spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria after ordering initial lockdown of 14 days, an action they described as commendable and timely.

In a telephone conversation with OTVNews from India, the President General of OYC, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, hailed the ingenuity of the Aba artisans for rising up to the challenge of scarcity of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE), and therefore enjoined the federal government to desist from seeking arms abroad and give the needed support to Aba to help mass produce PPE equipment that will not serve only Nigerians, but Africa and any part of the world that may understand the necessity, insisting that this is the best window of opportunity for Nigeria to produce something for export beyond oil and gas.

He said that this is even more profound given the reality that we live in a time when the world is sceptical about such materials coming from China or any other part of the world at that matter because everyone has become a suspect. We so not wish for any Greek gifts that may put us in more danger and called on the government not to be overwhelmed by the situation as they’re already doing well at both states and Federal levels.

Mazi Isiguzoro commended Governors Okezie Ikpeazu for the pragmatic decision to tow this lofty line of challenging Abia Artisans to rise up to the occasion, saying it is during such emergency as this that leaders are tested, proven and appreciated, while also commending Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State for attracting the erection of the now only virology hospital in South East through the Federal Government.

OYC demand that Southeast Governors should provide palliative care and support for Igbos in the face of Coronavirus lockdown, noting that the lockdown in Southeast is affecting Igbos negatively, but encourages them to be patient.

“We regret why Igbo National Assembly members especially Senators have abandoned their Constituencies. I am urging them not to hide under the shadows of Southeast Governors at this time their people needs them most” he said.

The OYC President praised the Federal government of President Buhari for rising up to the task at all instances, but appealed that the palliative stimulus put in place should be extended to every citizens because this is a time to prove to all Nigerians that we are one indivisible family. We must fight like one unit to defeat our common enemy – Coronavirus.

On the proposed repatriation of Nigerians in Diaspora, Isiguzoro pleaded with the government to ensure that the action will not be inimical to her citizens contrary to the intent, arguing that if such measure must be taken, every effort must be put in order to ensure that palliative is given to the returnees as most were already stranded abroad as a result of sudden turn of events for them that gave no one room to plan for such emergency. He advices that the first measure should be for the government to either pay for their flights or offer 50% as a measure of support and encouragement.

The actions of the Nigerian Students and community in Ndia led by Comrade Solomon Itere and the patron Engr James Udeh was applauded by him.
According to the Ohanaeze youths President, the measure so far taken by the body to carter for Nigerians in India with collaboration of the Nigeria ambassador to India, Amb Chris Ezeh Rtd, has restored hope and confidence of the citizens who were stranded in India.

He explained that the India government did not make plans for palliative for forefingers but the coming together of Nigeria Students and Community in India has ameliorated the suffering, even to the people in deportation camps who were not left out. He encouraged all Nigerians to use this opportunity to reflect on the things that unit rather than those that divide us as a people.