Date Published: 09/30/10

Ohaneze Nd' Igbo condemns insecurity in South east, calls for unity in Nigeria

Ohaneze Nd' Igbo, Abuja chapter has lamented the growing insecurity in the country, particularly in the south east of the country, where kidnapping has now become a trade.

The pan Igbo socio-cultural body also called for the unity of the country and respect of every body, irrespective of religious and cultural differences. The group desired that Nigerians "wherever they live should transact theirs businesses, in line with rules and regulations applied without any inhibition or molestation. Speaking at the Igbo day celebration and on Nigeria jubilee, thursday, in Abuja, Barr.Nwabueze Obi, chairman of the body called on tiers of government and security agencies to step up actions to ensure speedy release of the 15 school children that were kidnapped last week by gunmen, at Aba, in Abia state. He noted that the rising cases of kidnap in the region was capable of driving away investors at all levels, as well as discouraging the Igbos from returning home. In Abuja, the chairman appealed to authorities to desist from harassing the Igbos, who are engage in legitimate business, adding that they are in the capital, like any other NIGERIANS to contribute in the development of the city. This year's celebration, which was held at old parade ground, in the heart of Abuja was attended by many ethnic nationalities.

Earlier, in a lecture delivered by a veteran journalist and former director-general of the federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mr.EddieIroh, noted that the Igbos have been left behind in the scheme of things in the country. He ascribed the current backwardness of the Igbos to lack of unity among themselves. He said: "there is of course an underlying selfishness behind this posture. And that explains why after 40 years since the end of the civil war, Ndi Igbo have not been able to take stock, review their strategy and chart a new selfless and all inclusive course. And this is notwithstanding the valiant efforts of the Igbo Diaspora, as proudly manifested in the series of the Igbo World Congress (IWC)"

On how Ndi Igbo could reclaim their lost glory, the renowned broadcaster implored the region to go back to the drawing board and ask questions on why they failed.."I believe the reason why the Igbo is still searching for a role and relevance in the Nigerian scheme of things is beacuse after the war, we found that the centres of political and economic power have been hijacked by the Hausas and Yorubas respectively."For a people once envied as the most industrious and enterprising in Nigeria, defeat in the civil war severely dented both their pride and opportunities as citizens of Nigeria".

While asking the Ndi Igbo to embark on a study to find out why the Hausa and Yorubas have monopolised the economic and political power, he observed that "the divison of the national cake between these two tribes, while the Igbos were either fighting for self-determination or later licking their wounds is not in dispute".