By Chimaobi Nwaiwu
Nnewi—The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe has said that the economy of Nigeria urgently needs a major overhaul and redirection from the cumulative decisions and actions of past regimes, just as it needs to be transformed from being consumption and import-driven to being production-oriented, self-reliant and diversified.

Igwe Achebe in his address on his fifteenth Ofala Festival which he said is another year of eventful affairs in Onitsha, Anambra state and in the world therefore called on President Buhari to look beyond the party affiliation for solution to the recession ravaging the country to avoid complete meltdown.

According to Igwe Achebe,”our country Nigeria, has faced grave challenges over the past years. President Muhammadu Buhari was popularly elected President and assumed office on 29th  May, 2015 on the mantra of change. His political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, created high expectations during electioneering campaign.

“Instead, unfortunately, Nigerians have witnessed a steady decline in  economic and human development, and a major recession, which has prompted several statesmen and opinion leaders, including the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, as well as Anthony Cardinal Okojie to draw public attention to the suffering of the ordinary citizens.

“To complicate matters, most State Governments, have been unable to pay salaries without the so-called bailout funds, which is euphemism for loans to be repaid by generations yet unborn. Happily, Anambra state is among the few states that continue to meet their obligations of paying salaries regularly as and when due.

“There is no doubt that the nation’s economy urgently needs a major overhaul and redirection from the cumulative decisions and actions of past regimes. It needs to be transformed from being consumption and import- driven to becoming production oriented, self-reliant and diversified.

“There is no doubt also that the Mr President has demonstrated singular commitment and courage to tackling the scourges of corruption, inefficiency, profligacy and waste in government, as well as the fight against militancy in various parts of the country.

“However, there is a distinct feeling across the country that our immediate economic challenges may demand a non-partisan approach for solution in order to avoid a complete meltdown.

Also speaking at the occasion, Chairman of Globacom Limited, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr., GCON,  posited that the annual Onitsha Ofala Festival was a positive instrument for social cohesion, peace and community development.

He  added that the festival had over the years fulfilled the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s, UNESCO, objectives for cultural initiatives.

He said: “Ofala Festival, for us in Globacom, is an important vehicle which has been used to drive social integration, promote peace and community development.”

” But more importantly, the festival immortalises a lofty heirloom of the Onitsha people”.There is also a distinct yearning that Mr. President should extent the same commitment to addressing the menace of cattle herdsmen, particularly in the Southern States.”

The Onitsha monarch also stated that the economic challenges have also led to calls for review of the structure of government in the country, as the extant 1999 Constitution is now seen as overly centralizing the political and economic control of the country in the Federal Government , and rendering the states weak.

This has led to the feeling that the nations development is far below its potentials, even as political tension has reached deeply worrying levels, accordingly several eminent voices, including    former Vice President, Alhaji atiku Abubakar and the leaders of South west APC have called for restructuring of the country to bring back true federalism.

Justice Dahiru Musdapher, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, recently expressed his grave concern that the country has remained as divided as ever since the last Presidential election. I believe that the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference will go a long way in addressing the governance challenges of the country.

“I therefore add my voice to the call for urgent and necessary steps towards the implementation of those recommendations, this move along with restructuring the economy, fight against corruption and terrorism, and restoration of discipline in public life, could become the lasting legacies of the present administration.”