Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state Monday decried the continuous humiliation of Nigerians outside the country.
He said the attitude of Nigerian citizens outside the shores of the land has continued to bring about the humiliation of the people even as he stated that governors, including himself who travelled with President Buhari to America were singled out at the airport for thorough search.
Umahi stated this at Pa Negele Oruta township stadium Monday during Nigeria at 59 and Ebonyi at 23 celebrations.
He said, “Castigating leaders openly will not add any value to what we seek. Rather, our eyes should be on the ball.
“We must as Nigerians do everything to uphold our cultural value and better ourselves outside the country. The way we are treated outside the shores of this land is not encouraging. We must have to do empirical evaluation of ourselves because we get devalued in other nations.
“I get a lot of calls from people in Ghana, saying a lot of them are about to be sentenced. Some people have been imprisoned for years. Some sentenced for 1,000 years and some 500 years.
“And so it is important that as Nigerians, we re-evaluate our status and our values because the way we are treated even as governors, you don’t wear governor at the airport.
“When I was in America they singled some of us out and conducted a thorough search, it is intimidation. We will not continue to live in such manner that humiliates our nation, it is very important.”
Governor Umahi stated that plans have been concluded to hasten the overhaul of Akam Ibiam International Airport.
He said Southeast governors are in alliance with Mr President to secure a special fund for quick execution of the airport.
“Let me assure Ebonyi people and the entire South-east that the closure of the Akaniu Ibiam International Airport at Enugu was for the safety of our people.
As the chairman of South-east Governors Forum, I had a meeting with Mr President and we have agreed on modalities for quick execution and, of cause, comprehensive overhaul of that airport.
“We are seeking for a special funding with Mr President and as I travel with him, I will also reveal to him how much we have gone in the release of the funds for the quick completion of that project.
“We have provided two coaster buses, 10 pickup vans and a brand new liaison zone office in Owerri. This will assist our people who are going to use the airport there,” he stated.
