Igbos are no longer marginalized," Minister of Works Umahi declares, adding that there is no need for Biafra anymore
Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, has dismissed calls for a separate Biafran State, saying the demand is no longer necessary due to the unprecedented integration of the Igbo into Nigeria's national development agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking while inspecting federal projects in the Southeast, Umahi said sentiments of marginalisation that once fuelled separatist movements have eased significantly due to massive investments in roads and other critical infrastructure. "In the past administration, our people felt very much marginalised, and that was the reason some people were agitating for Biafra. But today, we are well integrated into the mainstream of the nation, Nigeria," he stated.
He listed ongoing and completed projects in the region, highlighting efforts to ensure durable infrastructure. Notable projects include the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Owerri-Onitsha
Expressway, Section 2B of the Second Niger Bridge, and a 123-kilometre road from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Benue border, with total investments running into hundreds of billions of naira.
Umahi also praised President Tinubu for prioritising the Southeast, describing the region as "comfortable" and "very happy" under his
administration. He emphasised that political relevance for the Southeast should be pursued strategically rather than through rhetoric or sentiment.
Concluding, Umahi framed the moment as a turning point for the region, saying, "Even those that don't want us to take our rightful position as South-East people, God has opened the time. This is our time, and this is the time that God has sent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reintegrate our people."
Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, has dismissed calls for a separate Biafran State, saying the demand is no longer necessary due to the unprecedented integration of the Igbo into Nigeria's national development agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking while inspecting federal projects in the Southeast, Umahi said sentiments of marginalisation that once fuelled separatist movements have eased significantly due to massive investments in roads and other critical infrastructure. "In the past administration, our people felt very much marginalised, and that was the reason some people were agitating for Biafra. But today, we are well integrated into the mainstream of the nation, Nigeria," he stated.
He listed ongoing and completed projects in the region, highlighting efforts to ensure durable infrastructure. Notable projects include the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Owerri-Onitsha
Expressway, Section 2B of the Second Niger Bridge, and a 123-kilometre road from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Benue border, with total investments running into hundreds of billions of naira.
Umahi also praised President Tinubu for prioritising the Southeast, describing the region as "comfortable" and "very happy" under his
administration. He emphasised that political relevance for the Southeast should be pursued strategically rather than through rhetoric or sentiment.
Concluding, Umahi framed the moment as a turning point for the region, saying, "Even those that don't want us to take our rightful position as South-East people, God has opened the time. This is our time, and this is the time that God has sent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reintegrate our people."
Igbos are no longer marginalized," Minister of Works Umahi declares, adding that there is no need for Biafra anymore
Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, has dismissed calls for a separate Biafran State, saying the demand is no longer necessary due to the unprecedented integration of the Igbo into Nigeria's national development agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking while inspecting federal projects in the Southeast, Umahi said sentiments of marginalisation that once fuelled separatist movements have eased significantly due to massive investments in roads and other critical infrastructure. "In the past administration, our people felt very much marginalised, and that was the reason some people were agitating for Biafra. But today, we are well integrated into the mainstream of the nation, Nigeria," he stated.
He listed ongoing and completed projects in the region, highlighting efforts to ensure durable infrastructure. Notable projects include the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Owerri-Onitsha
Expressway, Section 2B of the Second Niger Bridge, and a 123-kilometre road from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Benue border, with total investments running into hundreds of billions of naira.
Umahi also praised President Tinubu for prioritising the Southeast, describing the region as "comfortable" and "very happy" under his
administration. He emphasised that political relevance for the Southeast should be pursued strategically rather than through rhetoric or sentiment.
Concluding, Umahi framed the moment as a turning point for the region, saying, "Even those that don't want us to take our rightful position as South-East people, God has opened the time. This is our time, and this is the time that God has sent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reintegrate our people."
