BusinessDay... the voice of business: Nigerians in S/Africa identify needy areas at independence

Nigerians in S/Africa identify needy areas at independence
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Anonymous on 02 October, 2007 12:00:00
 
As Nigeria turned 47 Monday, its nationals in South Africa identified areas they
said required urgent attention.
Diola Adesanya, a director at South Africa’s Human Science Research Centre,
while asking for improved facilities, said that celebrating the anniversary was
worth it "despite the turbulent times’.
"I believe that 47 years of nationhood is a milestone worth celebrating," she
said at a dinner organised by Nigeria’s consulate in South Africa.
She called for regular get-together functions to give Nigerians an opportunity
to meet and discuss issues of common interests.
Adesanya said that Nigerian roads deserved special attention so as to give hope
to farmers in the villages via good roads to move their farm produce to the
cities.
Amechi Chukura, a lawyer, said that president Umar Yar’Adua had started well,
saying that he had rekindled hope for a better Nigeria.
"But I want to specially advise government to continue to have respect for the
independence of the judiciary and rule of law.
"Whenever government organs are liable, government should not use executive
powers to circumvent the cause of justice," he said, adding that government
would always be respected as long as it respects the rule of law.
Akuenwebe Emechebe, the Eze Ndi-Igbo in South Africa, who also spoke at the
ceremony, urged Yar’Adua to provide the enabling environment for investments.
"I want president Yar’Adua to prioritize the improvement of the energy sector
and stabilise the polity," he said.
Coral award winner Kunle Ayo, in his remarks, said he was proud to be a
Nigerian, stressing that there was certainly a ray of hope for all Nigerians
both home and abroad.
Ayo, who in 2005 won the best channel O jazz video, also tasked Nigerians in
Diaspora to consider ways they could help their country rather than being
permanent critics.
"Government should also be ready to explore the abundant human resources
outside of the shores for the overall development of our great nation," Ayo
said.(NAN)