Vice President Kashim Shettima has stated that the process of integrating Igbo into the mainstream Nigerian politics has begun.
Shettima was quoted in a statement signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu on Sunday.
He was quoted while speaking after the conferment of traditional titles on him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. Robert Chukwudilim Eze (Okofia VI), the Igwe Ukpo and Clan Head of Dunuokofia Ancient Kingdom in Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government of Anambra State.
President Tinubu was honoured with the chieftaincy title of “Eze Udo of Igbo Land” meaning “King of Peace in Igbo Land” while Shettima was also decorated with the title “Enyi Ndigbo” meaning “A friend of Igbo people”.
Shettima who also represented President Tinubu said the administration understood the challenges of Ndi Igbo and would work assiduously to overcome them.
He said, “With our leaders like Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator Dave Umahi, Hon. Ben Kalu, the process of integrating Ndi Igbo in the mainstream of Nigerian politics has commenced. Senator Ifeanyi Uba has just joined APC.
“Wherever you go in this country, if you do not see an Igbo man, you better run away from that place. Why won’t I identify with you? Rest assured that Ndi Igbo are the heartbeat of the Nigeria nation. We will work assiduously to see that Ndi Igbo are well represented”.
In the statement, Kalu congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima on the conferment of Igbo chieftaincy titles on them, saying that the conferment of the traditional titles would reinforce national cohesion and integration.
He commended President Tinubu’s administration for giving the Igbo people a sense of belonging through his appointments.
The Deputy Speaker expressed joy that the traditional titles were coming at a time of a new peace initiative called Peace in South East Project (PISE-P), aimed at resolving the security challenges among others sociological issues in the region through non kinetic approaches and restore peace.
