A renowned traditional ruler in Imo State, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Thomos Obiefule has advised the Federal Government to channel the $23m returned looted Abacha funds to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve the unending strike in the country.
The National President, Association of Royal Traditional Rulers of Nigeria told Tribune Online in Owerri on Thursday that the action would go a long way in settling and resolving the ongoing ASSU industrial action.
According to him, the strike has already taken solid six months adding that the earlier Federal Government go back to the round table for dialogue to amicably find the solution, the better for both the students and the country.
The monarch who is also the paramount ruler Umudioka Ancient Kingdom in Orlu Autonomous Community of Imo State expressed regret about the whereabout of part of the looted fund returned earlier to the country.
He said that Nigerians have in the past had of the reciept of the looted funds but do not know where the money are currently.
According to him, about $600m looted funds was said to have been returned to the country while $200m is still outstanding.
The traditional ruler observed that before now Nigerians have being told that between then and now, the $200m will be returned to Nigeria.
“All these money, I don’t know where they are, both the $100m, $200m, $300m and the $400m already recieved by our country. I don’t know where they are and nobody have explained to us the whereabout of the money”.
He pointed out that earlier on, the National Association of Royal Traditional Rulers of Nigeria have made submission of their stand on the issue to Mr. President to as a matter of necessity enter into dialogue with ASSU to end the impasse.
On insecurity, the monarch said that it is all over the six geo-political zones in the country, not only in the South/South zone.
Eze Obiefule noted that it is totally wrong for Mr President to say that the leaders of the South East zone know about insecurity in their domain.
While attributing the major course of insecurity to youths joblessness, pointing out that no particular zone should be carpeted over insecurity.
He said that the traditional rulers in the country have done their best and have contributed enormously for the development of the country.
The monarch said that traditional rulers should be counted the first among others for their active roles which according to him have continued to impact positively in the lives of the country.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
- EDITORIAL: NSITF And Its Termites
- Eze Obiefule urges FG to channel $23m Abacha loot to settle ASUU
and then