It can be recalled that the July 24 deportation of Igbos had created an ethnic tug-of-war between many Igbo and Yoruba commentators, especially after the saga was fueled by Uzor Kalu's 'No man's land' description of Lagos, and the series of articles by Femi Fani-Kayode, who rose in defence of the Yoruba nation (all articles published on NigerianEYE) which further increased ethnic tensions in the country.
The state government was accused of dumping 70 beggars at Onitsha Bridge on July 24, a situation that generated public outcry and bad blood.
The government had said it relocated the 14 people to Onitsha after rehabilitating them, but the explanations did not appease the aggrieved Igbos, who felt they were being badly treated and hated
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| Some of the deported igbos |
Fashola, who spoke at the silver jubilee of the Igbo socio-cultural think tank, Aka Ikenga held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, insisted he has no problems with the Igbos.
He noted that the largest herds of cattle he received when his father died was from the Igbos.
At the event were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Ayim, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Chief Emeka Ihedioha; Catholic Bishop, Mathew Kuka; former Minister, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu; President Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike; former ambassador George Obiozor and President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Gary Enwo-Igariwey.
Others included the former President Aka Ikenga, Chief Chris Asodoka; Director, Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi; Captain Emma Iheanacho; Nollywood artistes, Onyeka Onwenu and Kanayo O. Kanayo.
Fashola said: “I came here to say to say thank you for the honour done to my family and the memory of my late father.
“People who clearly do not understand the actions taken and words spoken are those I owe an explanation. I cannot take the Igbos for granted because we have built a relationship based on tolerance, mutual respect, love and trust. That relationship was built by our ancestors and I put a lot of value in that relationship.
“I offer an unreserved apology if the actions taken had been misunderstood.
“But I think the basic issue Aka Ikenga must address is why people feel compelled to immigrate from one part of the country to the other? Is it the case that some lack the resources to develop or perhaps some parts are endowed with enormous resources but not adequately managed?
“How can development be so difficult from the zone that has produced people like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alex Ekwueme, Ike Nwachukwu, among others?
“As political storm gathers, there are contact spots but like in football, contact spots have rules. Those who are victims of our shortcomings as professionals in and out of government should not be pounced.
“A day like these calls for deep reflection about issues of our loyalties. Are we more Igbo than Nigeria or we are more Nigeria than Igbo?”
Fashola called on residents in the state to embrace Residence Registration Scheme (RRS) to enable the government meets its obligation to them. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Appology with a messsge. Igbo leaders develope Ur region to stop the migration to Lagos state by Ur people.
ReplyDeleteI hope FFK will follow suit, though in the APOLOGY came the advice to IGBO leaders "DEVELOPE Ur REGION" But Lagos was not developed by Lagos state government, rather it was developed by the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. So Mr Fash should apologise properly instead of seeing himself as the DEVELOPER of that his MUMU LAGOS.
ReplyDeleteEl-Matosky. Please be civil in response to issues.
DeleteYou always sound ignorantly bias and very insulting on most issues.
This is not a mark of proper upbringing and sound education.
Please grow up or be quiet!
his excellency we accept ur appology no body is above mistake.shem to femi kayode.old fooooooooooool
ReplyDeletehis excelency pls call femi kayode in oda.he wil cos a very big problem for yoruba people.chusy.
ReplyDeletehis excellency we accept ur appology no body is above mistake.shem to femi kayode.old fooooooooooool
ReplyDeleteHe apologised and insulted us(igbo) the more, why pointing at developing our area as if LAGOS state is developed by their people(rather managed). I advice that he withdrew the apology and think of something wise to do because IGBO's are not FOOLs. What he did was a purported plan not instigated. For FFK, he is nothing but a child that does not no the value and reason of his existence in the tender ages, HE is yet to GROW.
ReplyDeletewhat do u want Ekwueme to do? At least,individuals igbos have developed places like aba,onitsha,nnewi without govt help.Check all the developed states and tell me the one that is not developed by govt of Nigeria. As for Zik of africa,igbos never regarded him as hero to igbo nation bc he misused his golden opportunity which is the cause of igbos present condition.long live the igbo nation
ReplyDeleteIf the govt does for the East what it has done for Lagos there will not be a single igbo in Lagos, period.
ReplyDeleteQuite an honourable thing to do. Apology accepted. This matter must rest.
ReplyDeleteLagos state Governent develop their own state.Development continues even after reocating federal capital.You Guys should also develop Enugu
ReplyDeleteibo people make una go una place go develop am, make e be like lagos. mumu uncle jonathan don give nuna airport and seaport, watin be una problem again?
ReplyDeleteU are a complete idiot. If Igbos withdraw their investments in Lagos, I wonder what will remain of the state
DeleteApology accepted
ReplyDeleteTo me, there is no appology here from the Governor. Why the 'IF'. What was done was wrong and there are no 'IFs'. Again, Lagos State was not developed by the allocation coming to Lagos alone but by the sweat of Lagosians, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Efik, Igala etc alike; our tax, federal government funds etc. So Mr. Fash should appologise without any reservations.
ReplyDeleteApology from APC shows gud mind towards igbos, PDP government cannot do it. PERCY take NOTE
ReplyDeleteAfter igbo leaders have gone to beg him with gifts he has to say something but get d message.. develop ur place and stop claiming what is not urs. A word is enough for d wise.
ReplyDeleteAnimals dts another level of maturity proved to U̶̲̥̅̊ by Yorubas.they have been accomodating you right frm wen Ojukwu and d likes...made U̶̲̥̅̊ outcasts and Yorubas shall continue to shelter U̶̲̥̅̊ since ur leaders cnt do it. Ask FG to develop ur region too so you will stop polluting other pples region.it takes one to be a big fool to call another person an old fool
ReplyDeleteFfk is irrelevant and infinitesimal therefore, his appologies are not required and will never make any difference. He is a wounded lion roaring at the verge of death. A living goat is even better than him in nigerian political arena presently.
ReplyDeleteCan this make Igbos to learn lesson/s, are they still fooling themselves in the name of one Nigeria? Please come home.
ReplyDeleteHome where... do they have one...they hve told you that they must all die in Lagos..the same thing they are doing in Malaysia... SA... Ghana...US.Very soon they will claim those places too...
DeleteNdi igbos ur resistance has paid off.Fashola is a gentleman. I think that put to rest all about the deportation saga.God help naija.
ReplyDeleteApology not accepted
ReplyDeleteel matosky u r very foolish.neva in ur miserable life shud u refer to lagos as mumu
ReplyDeleteSuch a Gentleman Fashola is! U r truly a leader...but 4 FFK, U've doomed ur linage!
ReplyDeleteI see no appology here cos he indirectly justified his actions. I only see a msg to the Igbos. Uncle Fash, if ur msg is so, pls deport d rich Igbo guys as well as close down Alaba Int'l mkt let's see what will become of ur Lag.Fashola is one man with so much pride that he can hardly swallow his pride to tender apology.Just like El Matosky said, Fashola should know dt Lag wz nt developed by d Yorubas. Be that as it may, we hv heard u.
ReplyDeleteMessage 1: apologize to those who misunderstood... which means I am sorry for you..
ReplyDeleteMessage 2: develop ur region and stop d migration of ur miscreants to Lagos.
Anyway, we accept ur apology but i want to tell u its political. Just this made APC dead on arrival in South east. Am sure they will boo you if u get to Anambra State to campaign for Ngige, ur APC candidate for the Governorship election coming up. In fact, this is campaign slogan against APC.
ReplyDeleteHey listen here, whoever cares to listen and understand Governor Fashola's apology needs to do so objectively and maturely. To really understand what has been said in this report by the Governor, you have to be an above average student in English Language. I have noticed some people (in their comments) did not just get the message at all.
ReplyDeleteTHIS UNKNOWN ELEMENT CALLED el masqurade or matoski is a functional nonentity! IF U HAVE NOT BEEN GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, WHY CANT U COME ONLINE WITH POSITVE ATTITUDE FOR ONCE INSTEAD OF RAISING ABUSE ON EVERY COMMENT. I SENSE YOU MUST BE A TEENAGER WITH NO HOME TRAINING AT ALL. EVERY COMMENT SHOULD BE AN AVENUE FOR US TO BE INTELLECTUALLY ENLIGHTENED!!! GROW UP KID!!
ReplyDeleteThis is not a sincere apology. The man is being being politely rude. He still sees every other residents other than the Yorubas as strangers in Lagos, hence his insulting message that they should also go and develope their own states.
ReplyDeleteFashola still misses the point which is that every Nigerian is entitled to reside in any part of the country and feel free and enjoy the same rights and privileges as the so-called indigine of the state. Governor Fashola should quickly come out of his tribal closet before it becomes too late. I really thought he a progressive until he attempted to justify this deportation saga. His coded question regarding whether the Igbos are being more Nigerian than being Igbos exposes this unfortunate tribal mind set. What the Igbos have done by spreading out residing in every nook and cranny of this nation is a true example of how one Nigeria should be. Unless of course the likes of governor Fashola is sending coded message to the Igbos that this thing we call one Nigeria is not what we say it is. Either way I hope the igbo elites are listening and reading the hand writings correctly. It is better to use the day time to seach for the missing black goat.
Femi Fani Kayode had succeeded in passing the message which has then became a research work for our Igbo brothers and sisters.
ReplyDeleteWe had different responses to the revelations made by FFK by some of our brothers, but very unfortunate, non of them had provided a reasonable answer to any of the issues raised by FFK including the one from Amun Anun aka Anun Ngbala from Rome.
We don't need to kill our selves on the blatant truths, but only to know what the facts are.
I guess the research is still ongoing by our Igbo brothers and sisters because it is an issue to be pondering upon by generation to generation of our brothers and sisters though, the person that may provide the answers might not yet born.
Develop your areas and stop senseless exodus or are you an outcast?.
@ Emex, I am waiting for your senseless comment.
Yemolala you definitely are not igbo for no one of igbo extraction can write what you wrote above. In the first place most of what femi wrote is trash. Take the coup for instance if the igbos planned it as an igbo coup why would Ironsi and Ojukwu be the ones that stopped the coup and caused the coup plotters to be arrested and detained? Why would the Igbo colonel who was in charge of the armoury refuse the coup plotters access to the armoury and was shot. Femi and his tribal jingoists should be asked to explain why the ordinary Igbo trader was killed on the streets of Kano Kaduna etcetera when they did not know or have a hand in the botched military coup. Why were Captain Adeleke major Ademoyaga and one young Yoruba lieutenant part of the coup plotters?
Deletefemi wrote a lot of trash that didn't need to be replied to. They are trash because they are not based on facts but on rumours as told by one side of the divide.
Apology accepted. We should pour out abundant love for one another in this country instead of showing hatred on any issue. God bless Naija.
ReplyDeleteIs hight time we trest sll Nigeria with altamost respect becsuse the
ReplyDeleteCOUNYRY BELONG TO WE ALL.THOSE THAT HAVE STOLEN SO MUCH OPEN THEIR MOUTH TO ANY DIRECTION TO INSULT PEOPLE WOTHPUT MESNIG FUL CONTRIBUTION
Pls can all the igbos in dis forum grow up 4 once?Let's do a small calculations, hw many igbos are in Lagos? 100,000,1 million or 5 million?how many igbo's were deported?100,200 or 70? What's d ratio of those deported to those that are still in Lagos & those that are still coming in everyday?May 0.00000001,why do u dissipate so much on an infinitesimal issues? Those deported where are dey working? I think u guys should get d message if ur area is develop people will not come to Lagos to come and constitute nuisance but dey ll stay and get something tangible doing in their environment.I can bet it with u most of u talking in here even if u get a civil service job in ur state u ll never dream of staying in Lagos,so guys leave mata 4 matthais o
ReplyDeleteI haven't commented on this issue before,but i want to make something clear to Lagosians and the people claiming it's heritage, being a former capital city has so much if not everything to do with the development of Lagos state.If you look at other western states around lagos,how many do you see as developed as lagos? look at Abuja as the capital city right now and what it's enjoying from the federal government and international community as capital of Nigeria.This is a catalyst for growth because of the vast and numerous activities and people it is attracting right now from all over the world.Do you see any other state around Abuja so developed?I become short of words when people come from no where to start claiming development of Lagos be it the Yoruba or the igbos.Fashola is not doing bad but i tell you being a former state capital has been tremendous influence in its development.My advice to the Igbos is that they should call for the capital to come to South East for at least one or two decades let's see if the south east won't be as developed as either Lagos or Abuja!.
ReplyDeleteLet me be pop and plain to the igbos,they cannot do it alone without the help of the Federal government.We should call for a South East state to be made capital and let's see whether development will not come by force and all other tribes will come in millions to the East.Many eastern states have been trying to do it alone but attracting many international activity can only be possible with the help of the Federal government like they've done for Lagos years before and currently Abuja .
ReplyDeleteBe-sincer,chyk, Anonymous 8:59am, Anonymous 10:33am. Mek una help me tell dis bastards El-matoski woo! Dis guy lacks home training! He is a fool his tots are always negative. Mumu, akuya!!! He doesn't have respect for leaders. Irresponsible human being!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletewell,i think the wisest thing to do is to accommodate one another.From history,no town or city has ever bn made to entire consist of only the natives or people of one race.It took over 200years attempting to rid the entire Europe of Jews.The closes of this occurred btw 1939 and 1945 when Hitler employed every available resources to achieve this.It was like all the jews were already killed.while he also believed he had achieved his aim.it was surprising that when soviet soldiers finally fought their way into Germany,there were stiIl over 200,000 jews still alive in Berlin alone.war is always d worse case scenerio but even war can not make lagos or kano igbo-free nor onitsha /aba yoruba and haus-afree.therefore we have nothing to do about non-natives in our land. the earlier we remove our mind from worrying about this,the better for our mind.this is why i have great respect for femi aribisala .he once told ffk that he will surely develop hypertension if he continues to worry about igbo sojourn in lagos bc nothing can stop this.rather he develop hypertension when igbo will begin to rely on their population in lagos for election purposes
ReplyDeleteIf Igbos shld withdtaw their investments I Lag. Lagos will still stand as it is bcos it will be an opportunity for other to rise up. During Abacha regime, Europe decided not to trade wt u. Abacha opened up d Asian market which all of are enjoying now. My brother, wake up frm ur slumber, if you no do, another person go do. Nobody and no tribe is indispensable. Thank u.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many comments on this thread. Someone even asked the Igbos here to grow up. Several people have called Fashola a gentleman for the 'apology'. How can someone give an 'unconditional apology, then go ahead to try and justify his actions to "those who didn't understand what he did". That's not an unconditional apology. It beats me that people keep asking to Igbos to go and develop their states. Go and read up the basis for state creation. It wasn't to give ethnic groups their own states. If it were, the Urhobo would have theirs. The Itsekiris, the Etsako, the Ogonis, the Ijaws and all the 450 people groups in Nigeria would have theirs, too. Lagos, more than any other place is not for the Yorubas. Did you naysayers know that at a time in the USA, George H. W. Bush was the president of the USA, while his first son, George W. bush was governor of Texas, and his other son, was the governor of Illinois? Nobody told them to go back to wherever their ancestral seat was. Let's stop being primitively territorial. It is sheer Neanderthal mentality, euphemistically speaking, that is.
ReplyDeleteNow, on another point, who were those that were deported? They say miscreants, destitutes, beggars etc. if they are miscreants (criminals), let the law deal with them. If they are found guilty of anything, punish them as due. Fashola, as a SAN should know this more than most of us here. How can a civilian governor do such a thing? Who defined their status in the first place? Under what law?
Furthermore, if these guys are simply poor (destitutes), are the Igbos the poorest people in Lagos. That's a laugh for many commentators here accuse them of being rich, and loving money (what a laugh - who hates money in Nigeria). How then do we have the only group to be deported were Igbos? All Nigerians know from where the real destitutes come (including our neighboring countries). Is there a law against poverty? That is, is poverty a crime? Most Nigerians live below poverty line. If we must use ethnic parameters ( which I hate), are there more poor people among the Igbos than the Yorubas? Can someone honestly answer this question? The tailor that sewed my funeral uniform last month in my remote village is Yoruba - very popular with our people. He isn't ready to go anywhere else.
Mr. Fashola, I am no lawyer, but I know that Lagos didn't get to be what it is because of the Yorubepas. Take a look at the most ancient and historical cities of the Yoruba, and tell me how developed they are. Ife? Ibadan? Oyo? Abeokuta? Akure? Tell me which of them is so developed? Stop calling a dog a bad name in order to hang him.
Concerning the occasion where the speech was given, did you notice the calibre of Igbo personages Governor Fashola deigns to address? Fools, indeed, walk where angels fear to tread.