Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, yesterday, said that for the advancement of the Igbo nation, there should be  more social cohesive relationship between them (Igbos) and other tribes in the country.

He also called for re-invigoration of the old Igbo apprenticeship system whereby a young boy or girl would learn trading or skill under an elder (master) for a specified number of years, after which his or her master assists him or her  financially to start his or her own business or both may establishing  a partnership.

The Deputy Speaker and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at federal level, spoke to journalists in his country home in Bende, Bende Local Council of Abia State, during a stakeholders’ meeting that featured  distribution of  foods and other empowerment items to his  Bende constituents.

He described the Igbo apprenticeship system as a noble programme that created jobs and various industries in the past, recommending that it should be modified in line with prevailing development instead of being allowed to die or further decline.

He also said that despite that the South East Development Commission Bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives, would be applied to reconstruct the South East, as well as create jobs for youths if signed into law, he said that he currently pushing a bill for the establishment of Igbo apprenticeship system, through which many Southeasterners would rule their world in their various fields of endeavour.

Stressing that no development would come to Igbo land under the current state of insecurity, Kalu urged gunmen to vacate their locations in the South East, drop their guns and negotiate for legitimate means of livelihood.

He lamented the sit-at-home on Mondays imposed on the region, which has negatively impacted businesses and scared investors, describing the actions of unknown gunmen as an affront to the Federal Government.

He stressed that resorting to violence was at the detriment of the South East economy and general development. Pointing out that President Bola Tinubu had no hand in the detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kalu, he expressed optimism that he would consider pleas for his release, noting that he has given key positions to Igbo.