BY Tony Edike

ENUGU-Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, declared yesterday that the people of the South East geopolitical zone were responsible for their economic and political misfortune in the country.

He said until Ndigbo came together and re-prioritized their needs, the numerous problems confronting them would persist.

Nnamani, who spoke at the South East Economic Summit which kicked off in Enugu yesterday noted that the gathering had provided a veritable platform for soul searching and introspection. He said the decision by the people of the zone to come together and review their status in the corperate entity called Nigeria, was a clear indication that they were ready to take their destiny in their hands.

He expressed dismay that Igbos had made themselves laughing stocks in the country over their inability to come together and speak with one voice on issues that affect them and the entire nation.

Nnamani said: “Its really unfortunate that we have continued to cry wolf when we have, in our activities and conduct, made ourselves the laughing stocks of other people. We hardly speak with one voice. It has continued to be difficult for us to have consensus on any opinion and this has indirectly affected us adversely in our national acceptance.”

Expressing the hope that Igbos can still remedy the situation and reclaim their pre-and post independence position, the former Senate President said that naturally the people of the South East were blessed to the level that once the right things were done, they could effectively compete with any developed economy of the world.

Nnamani urged them to entrench new values, team spirit as well as what he called delayed gratification which he said was lacking in the young ones from the area who are ready “to do anything to make money and enjoy life within the shortest possible time.”

In his speech, the Summit Chairman, Dr Kalu U. Kalu lamented the economic situation of the South East zone which he said was at at the lowest ebb and as such needs to be revived by its leaders both in politics and business.

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, who declared the Summit open on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, said the essence of the gathering was not necessarily to pass the buck or apportion blames, but to highlight the pitfalls and chart a new roadmap for the rejuvenation of the economy of our zone.