The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called for a better relationship between Igbo and Yoruba, stating that both ethnic groups have similarities in culture and cannot exist in isolation.
The monarch made the call on Friday during the 35th Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states chapter held in Enugu.
Ooni also urged Igbo investors to develop the South-East economy and tackle insecurity in the region.
He said, “Maybe our ancestors at some point once lived together, let us know this fact for the generation yet unborn, because it is better for us and better for the entire black race. The better we come together, the better our industrial base will continue to grow, and the better a lot of things will continue to be better.
“To me, a little research will expose the hidden similarities existing between the Igbo and the Yoruba. Igbo means new done in the Yoruba language. That’s why I think the Igbo do great things and when you touch business, a people with the hands of God.
“When you continue to talk about the MAN, this (Southeast) is the bedrock of it. A whole lot of things emerged from Igbo land. I implore each and every one of you, to please come together for the betterment of the generation yet unborn. Come together to lift each other.”
In his speech, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who spoke through his Deputy Ifeanyi Ossai, enjoined manufacturers to expand their investments and operations in the state in particular and the South-East in general.
Mbah added that his government was in the process of automating the ministries, departments, and agencies and streamlining revenue collection to eliminate multi-taxation and facilitate ease of payment in the state.
“We all of the foregoing, we can make bold to say that Enugu is indeed open for business. We are willing to do everything within our power to make doing business in Enugu a pleasure. We enjoin all manufacturers within the state to entertain no fears in expanding their operations within the state and indeed the southeast,” he said.
In her address, the Enugu State chapter Chairman of MAN, Lady Ada Chukwudozie, called on the Federal Government to create regional incentives to support manufacturers and attract national and foreign direct investments.
