National unity: Umahi has eliminated non-indigene syndrome in Ebonyi - Commissioner

Mr Charlse Akpuenika, Ebonyi Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports has said that the non-indigene syndrome prevalent in some states of the country, is none existent in Ebonyi as Governor David Umahi has eliminated it.



Akpuenika made the declaration on Saturday in Abakaliki in an interview noting that Ebonyi had become a ‘state for all’.

The Anambra-born Commissioner and Leader of non-indigenes in the state, said that the government’s policies have created an atmosphere of acceptability for all Nigerians residing in the state.

“The state governor has given non-indigenes opportunities of participating in the state’s governance with a level that is unprecedented in its history.

“Several non-indigenes are members of the state Executive Council, executive assistants, senior technical assistants among others and actively vie for position of choices without discrimination.

He said that the government’s robust grassroots participation in politics has afforded non-indigenes opportunities of occupying elective and appointment positions in such tier of governance.

“Our active representations at the ward levels have fetched us positions such as councilors, liaison officers, management committee members of development centres among others.

“Ebonyi is one of the states where a northerner, south westerner among others holds strategic positions from the ward to the state levels of governance.

The chairman of the National Youth Service Corps—state governing council said that the conducive atmosphere in the state has enabled non-indigenes contribute to its economic growth and development.

“Several non-indigenes who engage in various economic activities have equal stake with the indigenes and this has attracted investors to the state.

“The non-indigenes were given equal allotment in the sale of shops at the state’s International Market, industrial clusters across the three senatorial zones among others.

“We also received equal employment opportunities during the recent recruitment of nurses in the state’s health sector as several non-indent nurses were recruited and already in service.

He noted that non-indigenes would continue supporting the governor and propagating messages of his ideals and infrastructural achievements beyond the state’s shores.

“We urge Ebonyi indigenes to appreciate the gift of their governor as it would only take them to travel outside state to discover God’s blessing upon them.