Media Consultant and former Chairman of Nigeria Union Of Journalists in Imo State, Chief Dr Fidel Onyeneke has advised Nigerians to be very conscious of their civic responsibilities as a panacea to enhance good governance and equitable distribution of resources.
Chief Onyeneke gave the advice on Friday,while delivering a lecture titled “ Civic responsibility and South East development” at the first Ohanaeze Ndigbo Oru East Summit. He said that by engaging in civic responsibilities, citizens ensured and upheld certain democratic values stipulated in the founding documents and the constitution of the nation.
Chief Onyeneke stated that civic responsibilities would give the government at all levels,the boost and the encouragement to execute its on responsibility for the benefit of the masses. He identified the duties of the citizenry to include obeying the laws of the land,protection of public property, payment of taxes,loyalty and respect for others rights.
According to the Media Consultant, the performance of these duties and responsibilities depict the level of obedience and loyalty of all citizens to the country. He regretted that most Nigerians appear to have lost confidence in the leadership of the nation due to numerous economic and political problems which bedeviled the country.”Our country now than ever in its history, is threatened on daily basis with issues across tribal,religious and ethnic divides”Chief Onyeneke stated.
He urged the people of the South East to change their stance towards their obligations by participating effectively in all the exercises that would empower the citizenry to cast their votes,be very active in census and population affairs,as well as collect their Personal Voters Cards, PVC.”In the South East of Nigeria, people appear to be very adamant and reluctant to carry out their civic responsibilities.This drastically and negatively affects the socio political and economic growth of the region “he said.
Chief Onyeneke also urged the people to remain united in their decision and desire to attract greater empowerment and security in the geopolitical zone.He observed that politics is a game of number, and as such, the population of the zone is very paramount in the sharing of national resources, and the distribution of social amenities
Chief Onyeneke urged the Federal government to ensure that the south east was no longer short changed in terms of creation of new srates,creation of local government areas,provision of national intervention programmes, distribution of health and educational facilities, among others.
He commended Ohaneze Ndigbo for its crucial roles in ensuring that the Igbos were not marginalised in the scheme of things in Nigeria.
