Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo, says the recent #EndSARS protest against police brutality, Boko Haram insurgency, and other security challenges in Nigeria are caused by poverty and injustice.
On Saturday, Okorocha was honoured with the award of “Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland” by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
The award, presented by Saliu Adetunji, Olubadan of Ibadan, is in recognition of Okorocha’s contribution to the education of indigent children through his free education programme and establishment of tuition-free schools in Ibadan, Oyo state.
Speaking at the award presentation, Okorocha lamented that orphans and vulnerable children lack access to quality education in Nigeria.
He said he established the free schools to give them an opportunity to become valuable members of society.
“I am making frantic efforts with all my family members. Still, the evil of injustice and poverty is still ravaging our nation,” he said.
“It is this injustice and poverty that many have called Boko Haram, insurgency, herdsmen crisis, kidnapping and EndSARS protests.
“The truth is that the problem of Nigeria is poverty and injustice. If these children gathered here, including those who have passed out to become doctors and lawyers, were not given this opportunity, most of them would become Boko Haram members.”
He commended the monarch and Ibadan indigenes for finding him worthy of the award.
“I am sure this award came to me because you have considered my little contribution of saving the lives of these poor Nigerians,” Okorocha said.
“This award will go a long way to bring about unity in the federal republic of Nigeria. In our checkered history, it is not common to see an Igbo man being honoured in Yorubaland.
“It is also not possible to see an Hausa or Fulani man honoured in Yorubaland or vice versa. What we are doing now is building a bridge of peace and unity.”
According to CCII, no fewer than 25,000 children, out of which over 6,000 are from Oyo and other south-west states, have benefitted from Okorocha’s free education programme.
