From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The apex body of all Igbo sociocultural organizations, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the Indigenous People ofBiafra (IPOB) over what it described as unsavory remarks on elder statesman, ChiefEdwin Clark, the Ijaw leader.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo made thecondemnation against the backdrop of published statements credited to thespokesman of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),Emma Powerful, asserting thatEdwin Clark cannot decide for South South zone and the South East zone resolve on Biafra
In a press statement issued in Enuguand signed by the Ohanaeze National spokesman,Chief Alex Ogbonnia states,
“The attention of OhanaezeNdigbo Worldwide has been drawn to remarks by the spokesman of the IndigenousPeople of Biafra (IPOB).
Ohanaeze Ndigbo makes it abundantlyclear that the Igbo extol old age with courtesy and reverence. Old age is sotreasured that the eldest man in a village or community, in most cases, enjoyscommunity burial and funeral rites at death. The old are deemed to representthe Igbo ancestors here on earth and thus are often celebrated”.
“It is public knowledge that youths, all over theworld, have some common characteristics which include impetuosity andexuberance. As much as the effervescence and exuberance of the youths are theessential hallmarks of a growing society, it is still the duty of the elders tomoderate the excesses and idiosyncrasies of the youth”.
“Let it be placed on recordthat Chief Edwin Clark is one of the few detribalized Nigerians with anunassailable love for the Igbos. He has in more than several ways demonstratedan intense passion for the Igbo. It was Chief Clark who facilitated therenovation and equipment of the Queens School, Enugu with state of the artsfacilities shortly after the Nigerian civil war.”
“Eminent Igbo women that passedthrough the school, such as Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), Justice Victoria Nebo,Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof. Ifeoma Enemuo, Prof. Ifeoma Egbuonu, Mrs.Justina Offia (SAN), Prof. Gloria Chukwukere, etc, are some of the testamentsof Clark magnanimity. Since, then Clark has remained one of the patrons of theschool to the present day. It was Clark, who has spoken vehemently against theIgbo marginalization and has propelled the concept of a president of Nigeriafrom the South East. It was Clark who had stated that the agitations by theIgbo are justified, among several others”.
“It is important to urge ouryouths to refrain from remarks capable of putting the Igbo relationships withour highly valued neighbours in avoidable distress. The Igbo agitation, nodoubt, is genuine but restraints, persuasions and cordial inter-ethnic relationsare required to sustain the supports of other ethnic groups in Nigeria”.
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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led byAmbassador Professor George Obiozor holds Chief E K Clark in a very highesteem. Our profound admiration for him is beyond measures and will alwayscondemn any form of attack on his person. We therefore hope that the unsavouryremarks by our youths will not weaken his passion and commitment for the Igbo’’.It concludes.
