TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says the Igbo are enterprising and “contribute significantly” to the country’s economy.

The president was speaking on Thursday at a closed-door meeting with south-east leaders during his one-day visit to Imo state.

According to a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, Buhari also urged the south-east leaders to sensitise their people on the need to support free and fair elections in 2023.

“The fundamental thing about the Igbo people is that there is no town you will visit in Nigeria without seeing the Igbo being in charge of either infrastructure or pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, it is unthinkable for me that any Igbo man would consider himself not to be a part of Nigeria,” he said.

“The evidence is there for everyone to see that Igbos are in charge of Nigeria’s economy.”

While promising to ensure improved security, the president said his administration remains committed to the fight against corruption.

“If there is no security, there is nothing anyone can do no matter how much you try or the initiative you have. Security is number one priority and then the economy. When people feel secure they will mind their own business,” he said.

“Nobody can accuse me of having companies or mansions anywhere in the country, and I thank God that I try to keep myself as clean as possible, so that I cannot be taken hostage.

“I will do my best to ensure that Nigerians that try hard, succeed in their efforts.”

Buhari also promised to complete projects in the south-east region, including the Second Niger bridge, as well as railway projects.

“I firmly believe that when you get infrastructure right, Nigerians will mind their own businesses,” he said, adding that with the ongoing projects in the region, the Igbo will benefit because “they are more enterprising”.

Among projects the president commissioned in Imo are the Naze-Ihiagwa-Nekede-Obinze link road, the balloon-driven flood control drainage at Dick Tiger road, the Egbeada bypass road, and the new executive chambers at the government house in Owerri.