Traditional rulers in Anambra State on Thursday, raised the alarm over the increasing number of youths from the northern parts of the country, popularly known as Almajirai, being dumped in the South East, calling on governors in the zone to take a serious stand on the issue without further delay.
Chairman of the state’s council of traditional rulers and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, in a communique after a meeting in Awka, said the situation was giving them a lot of concern.
Others who signed the communique include Achebe’s two deputies, the traditional ruler of Okpuno, Igwe Sunday Okafor, and the traditional ruler of Okakwu Odekpe, Igwe Chuma Onyia.
According to the royal fathers, the worrisome aspect of the situation was that many of the Almajirai might have already been infected with coronavirus disease before being sent to the South East.
They urged the governors in the zone to ensure that the Almajirai were not allowed to enter the states since the Almajirai would not fit into the zone’s economic, social and cultural environment.
The monarchs particularly called on Governor Willie Obiano not to relent in its fight against the long-standing menace of some cattle breeders, known as herdsmen in the state. They, however, commended the governor for what they described as his exemplary leadership in the fight against COVID 19.
“Your prompt establishment of Isolation Centres at Mbaukwu -Umuawulu and other locations in the state, including border closure is exemplary, ” they said.
Credit: Vanguard