By UCHENNA ELETUO

The Igbo Community in Ojo, Lagos State, on Saturday expressed dismay over the level of insecurity in the South East.

The community made this known at its year-end get-together, held at the Flowwhite Event Centre, in Lagos,

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Richard Anyanwu, urged the people to continue to live in peace with others, especially their host communities.

Anyanwu, described peaceful coexistence as a necessity for development, stressing thatthe people would not be at the event celebrating a successful year end, if there was no peace in Lagos.

“We owe it as an obligation to conduct ourselves in a manner that is in conformity with the state’s stance and the host community tradition.

“We are all aware of the insecurity back home. I want to plead with us to tread with caution while at home.

“Our celebration of the Yuletide this year should be done in a way that would not attract unnecessary attention from hooligans or kidnappers.

“As we have gathered here to thank God for his mercy and grace on us in the outgoing year, we look forward to a fruitful 2024,” he said.

The chairman lauded the Lagos State Government for maintaining peace in the state, which afforded people the opportunity to ply their trade.

He called on the governments of the southeast states to secure the area to enable people to live without fear and attract development in the region.

Also speaking at the event, Chief Osita Odinaka, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Odnnys Holdings, Alaba, Lagos, urged the people to be their brothers’ keepers.

He told them to assist upcoming businessmen that had completed their apprenticeship with start-up capital.

Odinaka said that many of those that completed trade apprenticeship, but were without start-up capital, could end up being co-opted into crimes, which had been the undoing of the southeast society.

He appealed to authorities in the southeast to provide the needed security in the area, to encourage those that wanted to establish firms to do so.

Igbos resident in Lagos State mark the year end with fanfare, to thank God and make supplications for the incoming one.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured cultural dance, presentation of stewardship by officials for the outgoing year and donations in support of the body.

It was used to reflect on happenings and developments back home, with a view to proffering solutions.

The people, mostly businessmen and women, routinely travel home to celebrate the Yuletide, meet family members and carry out activities such as marriage ceremonies, carnivals and community development projects.

With two weeks to the end of the year, many are in the process of returning home to celebrate, but the insecurity in the region has remained a concern. (NAN)