By Akoma Chinweoke

THE National President, Association of Ndi-Eze Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora, Eze Nwabueze Ohazulike, has attributed the spate of kidnaping and other violent crimes ravaging the South-East zone to the long neglect of the region, widely acknowledged as producing the bulk of the nation’s wealth.

Ohazulike, who noted this at this year’s annual New Yam Festival, Iri ji, in Lagos, however, argued that one way government can contend the horrifying situation was to evolve intelligent security system, backed up by database, as obtained in developed nations,  to track down criminals indulged in the vices.

He also condemned  those behind bomb explosions in the country and appealed to traditional rulers to join forces with government to fight the menace while calling on students to shun cultism. He  noted that poor academic performance starts from hideous associations.

The Eze Ndi-Igbo noted that culture and traditional values were  pivotal to the socio-economic and technological advancement of the country and warned that it should not be trampled upon as, according to him, people who crush their culture are heading for extinction.

“It is pertinent, at this juncture, to inform you that the title of “Eze Ndi-Igbo” which is registered with the CAC, Abuja, remains intact. Anybody who tries to jettison the appellation without the consent of its members challenges the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.