*Parent body declaresa minute silence to honour fallen heroes on Igbo day
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Youth wing of the apex body of all Igbo socio cultural organizations, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari led government to urgently redress the imbalance in the nation’s socio economic and political sectors that are highly lopsided against the Igbo, emphasising that the Igbo race has contributed immensely to the socio economic growth of Nigeria and still remains an integral part of the country.
The Youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo lamented the poor state of roads across the South East zone, describing it as the worst throughout the federation. The people of the SouthEast, according to Ohanaeze youths, are currently under siege of insecurity by unidentified hoodlums, while many enterprising business men in the zone suffer unlawful intimidation and extortion in the hands of security agencies, Ohanaeze youths alleged.
The acting National leader of the organization, Mr Onwuasoanya Jones, who addressed news men said the organization maintains its absolute loyalty to the views and decisions of the parent body, presently led by Professor George Obiozor and will work assiduously with Professor Obiozor led Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, in advancing the cause of the Igbonation in Nigeria.
The youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemned the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu without trial, and urged government to commence his trials without further delay within the ambits of the law embedded in the nation’s consitutiion.
The Youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo further tasked the federal government to investigate the allegations of unlawful detention of Igbo sons and daughters, detained in several prisons of the country and those not found guilty of any offence. should be compensated.
The Igbo Youths commended the governors of the South East zone for passing the anti Opengrazing bill into law, urging those who are yet to do so to comply.
Amidst the Ohanaeze Youths complaints and appraisals on the state of the nation, the group in a press statement signed by Mazi Chika Adiele, it’s National Publicity Secretary, disclosed the suspension of Mr Damian Okafor, as it’s National leader, alleging gross misconduct and incompetence.
In another developmentthe parent body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide led by Professor George Obiozor, has declared that a minute silence should be observed by all Igbos in everypart of the world where they reside once it is 12 noon on September 29, this year. The chairman of the 2021 Igbo celebration, Ambassador Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, in a press statement released to news men in Enugu. said the exercise is to remember Igbo fallen heroes.
The press statement read in parts: “The one minute silence is meant toremember the souls of our kiths and kins lost on Sept. 29, 1966.
“It is also meant to remember thesouls of our people who lost their lives in subsequent struggles for unity,peace, equity and justice in Nigeria,” the Chairman of the Committee, IgweLawrence Agubuzu, said.
He said that the Day would beobserved with deep sober reflections and prayers before and after observing theone minute silence for our departed brothers and sisters.
According to him, all Ndigbo shouldlift up Ndigbo and Ala-Igbo (Igbo land) before God, our Heavenly Father, duringthe Sunday Church Services on Sept. 26; with prayers offered for the peace ofNigeria and Igbo land.
“Sequel to the detailed briefingreceived from the Planning Committee for the 2021 Igbo Day Celebration, theIgwes and Ndiezes of Igbo land appreciated the elaborate plans of theleadership and people of the Igbo nation to honour our history, collectivememories and aspiration on Sept. 29, 2021.
“After mature consultation andsober reflections on the political, spiritual and psychological needs of theIgbo nation; the royal fathers strongly urged that the nature of activitiessuitable for this moment in time is more of prayers than vibrant celebrations.
“This will enable all Ndigbo toparticipate and unite in the much needed cleansing and spiritual rejuvenationof Igbo land, which are necessary preludes to the political and economicdevelopment; and the social cohesion that we all desire,’’ he said.
