The north has again reiterated her believe that Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is one patriotic Nigerian who craves for the unity of Nigeria and her people.

It was the position which northerners who produce, process and market onions in Nigeria took on Thursday when they paid an official visit to the Governor at the Government House Owerri.

Coming under the umbrella of National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria who are mainly northerners the group said that Uzodimma’s disposition to national unity is irresistible and that it was the person of the Governor that made them have a rethink about continuing to send onions to the South East.

Speaking in an address he presented to the Governor on behalf of his members drawn from different parts of the North, the National President of NOPPMAN, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasimu Isah, described Governor Uzodimma as “the bond of unity of Nigeria.”

“As a Governor since assumption of office he has exhibited keen interest and demonstrated a rare commitment of passion to cooperative mechanism that will enhance unity, togetherness, social cohesion and solidarity among the diverse people of Imo State in particular and Nigeria in general.”

The Association said the decision to visit the Governor was “an opportunity for them to collectively access, engage and harness the challenges and opportunities posed by the recent crisis in the South East region and the Country at large.”

The group further said it saw the visit as an opportunity to reassure each other and solicit understanding with the Governor and other Nigerian citizens in the South Eastern parts of the country.

The members seized the opportunity to inform the Governor of the progress of their union in the areas of exports to many countries of the world which have led to Nigeria earning a huge foreign exchange and has contributed significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and as well has positioned Nigerian onion value chain in the global map of onion exporting countries which has created job opportunities for small holder farmers and MSME’s.

The association, however, expressed regret on the losses they suffered recently during the period of violence and security breaches which Isah said ran into billions of naira and passionately appealed to the Governor to come to their assistance “by compensating their members who are at the verge of going out of business as a result of a huge losses.”

Earlier on his opening remarks, leader of the delegation and the Hausawa of Imo State, HRH Alhaji Alwal Baba Sule thanked Governor Uzodimma for working hard to return Imo to a peaceful state and noted that his kits and kin visited because he gave strong assurance to the northern leadership and their people that they are safe in Imo.

He said the Hausa community in Imo State has confidence in the ability of the Governor to protect them and the entire Imo people.

In his response, Governor Uzodimma told them to be rest assured that their lives and property will be protected in line with the oath of office he took.

He urged them to continue to partner with him to ensure that “our common enemies are fished out”.

The governor regretted that lives were lost needlessly during the security breaches and assured them that Imo State is now safe and that the enemies have been chased away.

On the group’s appeal for compensation for their goods that were destroyed Governor Uzodimma promised to set up a committee that will see to the promotion of the onion business in Imo State and Nigeria in general by ensuring that the movement of their goods to their destinations is protected.

His words: “We need onions and cows to be alive here.”

He also promised to work out modalities on how their members whose goods were destroyed will not be sent out of business.

Governor Uzodimma said his government will protect the genuine Hausa, Fulani, Muslims or Christian business men in Imo State and called for a united front against the common enemy

He emphasised that Nigerians must come together to find out who are after them and join hands with all and sundry to fight the monster.

“Nigerians co-existence is inevitable as the North needs the South. In order words, the Northern herders need the Southern farmers and vice versa.”

The Governor exhibited his unwavering Nigerian nature when he informed the association that “Imo State is an integral part of Nigeria governed by one law as a Country that makes it non-negotiable,” and told all and sundry that all Nigerians living in Imo State have equal protection from the security agencies.

The Governor noted that the Nigeria is interwoven hence “there is no need for confusion in Nigeria. We must be together.”

He promised to do his best to pacify those that lost their goods both onion dealers and cow dealers during the period of violence after engaging with their leadership.

•PHOTO: Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (4th left) Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku (3rd left) Imo Sarikin Hausa, HRH Alh Auwal Baba Suleiman (4th right) National President Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria Alh Aliyu Maitasamu Isah (3rd right) and other members of the Association who paid a Courtesy visit to the at the Government House Owerri

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