– As Onuigbo Ndigbo Gburugburu visits Alaba Intl Market
Contrary to reports in some quarters that the Lagos State government has concluded plans to revoke lands and properties belonging to non-indigenes, especially Igbos, Rev Theo Ezeani, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of International Market Association Electronics at Alaba International Market Lagos, has described the speculation as false.
Disclosing this to the Igbo traditional spokesperson and Onuigbo Ndigbo Gburugburu, Chief Engr Ejike Iwu, during his visit to Igbo traders at the Alaba International Market Lagos, Rev Ezeani said there is no iota of truth in the allegation, adding that the government has not enacted any law on that.
The PRO disclosed that though the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa had suggested in his speech during the inauguration of the Assembly recently that the state will make laws to protect her citizens with regards to lands End properties, but it is yet to make any such law.
Rev Ezeani said though some people have personal issues with the authorities over land in some areas of Alaba International Market, that it is not a general thing as it also affected people from my other ethnic nationalities including the Yorubas and Hausas.
Continuing, he revealed to Onuigbo Ndigbo Gburugburu that it there is any policy targeted at marginalizing Ndigbo, the leader of the market, Chief Camillius Amajioyi would have issued a press statement or even directed any of the officials to do so.
The Market Association PRO warned that though Ndigbo in general are marginalized in areas such a as federal character and employment, it is wrong to peddle falsehood in this regard.
He said that half truth is more dangerous than pure lies and warned that people should learn not to cry wolf when none had appeared.
Concluding, Rev Ezeani said that those peddling this type of rumour are not even shop owners at the Alaba International Market.
It will be recalled that reports says some parts of the Alaba International Market such as Alaba Arago area was originally mapped out for flyover but some unscrupulous persons scrambled and sold the area to people.
Responding, Onuigbo Ndigbo Gburugburu said he visited the market to get firsthand information on the welfare of Ndigbo as it is a commercial hun for many Igbo traders in Lagos.
He urged Ndigbo to be at alert and be their brothers keepers, stating that it is also important for them to look homewards for the expansion of their businesses.
