Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, the Senator Representing the good people of Anambra South Senatorial District made a move to end the Monday Sit-at-home last month with his armed security which he impelled them to swing into action to safeguard the people and their businesses in all the four quarters of Nnewi North Local Government Area.
This particular move by the Senator instigated some questions in the minds of some ndị Igbo, whether he is for them or against them and his interest in trying to end the Monday Sit-at-home. I want to categorically tell you the interest of Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah for trying to end the Monday Sit-at-home but before I tell you, I would love to give you a breakdown of what is happening in the South-East region of Nigeria.
Going to two good years now, the South-east region of Nigeria which comprises Abia state, Anambra state, Ebonyi state, Enugu state and Imo state have been observing this Monday Sit-at-home as declared by the separatist of Biafra, in order to press for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB). This Monday Sit-at-home exercise started since 9th August, 2021 and by 9th August 2023, it would be two consecutive years ie 730 days, since we started it.
Some people are comfortably saying that observing the Monday Sit-at-home is not too much for the release of MNK but I want this to sink into their head. Since the commencement of this Sit-at-home in 2021 to this year, we have lost about 105 Mondays out of 520 working days. We are now left with 415 days in which we are expected to go to work. And out of the 415 days remaining, we still have to observe other public holidays declared by Federal government.
The information from an economic and financial expert, Dr Chiwuike Uba is that the South East Region, having lost about 101 days within this period, is approximately losing a whooping sum of #7.646 trillion between August 2021 and July 2023 in terms of productivity. This is to simply enlighten you that the economy of the South East is seriously bleeding due to the compulsory Sit-at-home order by some míscreants who are not even in Nigeria to feel the weight of the frívolous order they are giving. The most painful aspect of it is that the figure from the financial expert is just the losses of micro-enterprises, the destruction of properties and other costs are not even included in the total economic loss.
When you consider how this Sit-at-home has affected us, you will know that so many jobs are being threatened due to low productivity. We are apparently losing both foreign and local investments and businesses to other nearby parts of the country.
Isn’t it worrisome to us that the only thing we have succeeded in breeding with this Sit-at-home is insecurity of life and Prosperities?
Do we have to keep making our region unsafe because the federal government refused to listen to the court?
Do we need to keep staying at home and watch our economy and GDP get destroyed completely?
Do our young men and women have to hide under this agitation to unleash terrorism in the south east region?
These questions above are the things that interest Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah that made him move to end this preposterous exercise called Sit-at-home. This is why I will continue to tell you that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is not just a true son of ndị Igbo, he is a great emancipator of Igbo Land. His contribution towards the manumission of Igbo economy can not be overemphasised and can never be compared to those nọnentities who are hanging in other developed countries to cause mayhem to our dear peaceful Igbo Land.
Ndị Igbo should be wise enough now to know who is truly working for them or against them in order to save our nearest future.
Ala Igbo maa mma, ọ maara mụ na gị.
©️ Chibunnam Paul
~~ Nnewi North LGA.
