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Tag: Igbo’

  • Stop harassing Igbo leaders, group warns IPOB, others

    Stop harassing Igbo leaders, group warns IPOB, others

    Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Main Igbo Movement (MIM) at the weekend warned all pro-Biafra groups, especially the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to desist from threatening credible Igbo sons in the course of its agitation.

    MIM was reacting to the attack on Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha by IPOB members in London, while he was at the Chatham House. It said it will not condone further harassment of Igbo leaders by any group under any guise.

    A statement by its President-General, Nze Simon Okokwe said the London incident was unacceptable and should be condemned by all Igbo.

    The statement reads: “The recent attack on the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in a foreign land by faceless hoodlums brandishing Biafran flag and claiming to be Biafra agitators is most embarrassing, not only to the governor but the entire Igbo. It shows the level we have degenerated.

    “In as much as we have nothing against peaceful agitation for any course whatsoever, including Biafra, we condemn in its entirety, any plan to coerce anyone to join or support any agitation, including the Biafra struggle.

    “To this end we are demanding an unreserved apology to Ndigbo and Okorocha for the humiliation meted to an illustrious Igbo son.

    “While we are not supporting any political party or politician, recent happenings in Igboland has warranted that we take stringent measures to purge ourselves of all tendencies to become a lawless people. It is our candid advice that all pro-Biafra groups be guided by the law of the land and the mutual respect for our culture, which forbids unrestrained behaviours.

    “To this end, we say enough is enough otherwise we will expose the criminals hiding under the guise of Biafra agitation to perpetrate crime.”

  • Okorocha to launch Igbo teaching in schools

    Okorocha to launch Igbo teaching in schools

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha will today launch the Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Igbo in Imo schools. He will also present the maiden edition of Igbo language newspaper Ikoro.

    Okorocha’s pecial Adviser on Igbo Affairs, Chief Samfo Nwankwo, described the launch as “a bold initiative to stimulate and rediscover our common heritage, the Igbo language, which is fast going extinct.”

    He lauded Okorocha for the initiative and noted that as a grassroots politician, the governor reads the pulse of the people, hence, the introduction of the free education scheme, now the toast of sister states.

    Nwankwo noted that instructional materials, software’s, Igbo language teachers and other necessary infrastructure, coupled with meeting of stakeholders, have been arranged to ensure a smooth take-off of the scheme.

    Apart from cultural dances and public presentation of the Ikoro newspaper, a summit, “Globalisation of the Igbo Language: That the world will hear us”, will hold as part of activities lined up for the programme.

    The summit paper will be delivered by Prof. Jerome Okonkwo while former Chief of General Staff Ebitu Ukiwe, Second Republic Vice President Alex Ekwueme, foremost banker Pascal Dozie and Dr. ABC Orjiako, will be special guests.

  • Reminder: Igbo have other messages for Nigeria

    Nigerians from all directions, including some of our most prominent citizens, have been raising their voices to condemn the noisy agitations by some Igbo youths for a separate country of Biafra. These condemnations are proper because we Nigerians are afraid to have a repeat of the barbarous confrontations and civil war of the late 1960s. However, it is critically important that we should not look only at the noises by the youths in the streets but also at very respectable statements that some Igbo leaders have made concerning order and stability in our country. I refer to the memorandum sent to the National Conference and by extension to Nigeria and the world at large, by the leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo early in 2014. Their highly respectable memorandum does not call for secession, or the breaking up of Nigeria. It calls for a sensible restructuring of our federation so as to give our country a chance to settle down, survive and prosper. I hereby put forth their memorandum in order to remind Nigerians that not all Igbo are calling for secession or the dismemberment of Nigeria, and that many highly placed and respectable Igbo citizens have given very serious thought to the future, prosperity and greatness of our country. Here then is an excerpt of their memorandum:

    The recognition of the significance of ethnicity was clear at the birth of an independent Nigeria in 1960. The larger ethnic units of Hausa/Fulani-Igbo-Yoruba formed the basis of the three regions –North-East-West. Ethno-based agitations aimed at asserting the separate identities of the smaller groups promptly sprouted in the Midwest, Middle Belt, and the Calabar Ogoja Rivers (COR).

    The current concept of six geo-political zones is also ethnically based, with three zones for the larger nationalities, and three for combinations of the small nationalities. Thus the nationalities are recognized and accepted as the building blocks of Nigeria.

    In all policy making, Nigeria must allow to its component nationalities free-play and equitable access to our country’s resources and strategic political command posts. Sustained imbalance in sharing responsibilities and the ‘national cake’ could make some nationalities feel not belonging. The break-up of ethnically composite countries, some very powerful and prosperous, like the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, took place along ethnic lines. We must avoid going the same routes, and we can only do so through an equity-oriented formula that creates a comfortable sense of belonging for all our nationalities.

    At independence in 1960, what our founding fathers settled for was a full-blown federal structure, with three regions, East-North-West, as the federating units of our nation. All three regions were constitutionally equal in status. A fourth region, the Midwest, was created by regular constitutional amendment in 1963.

    Thus, the 1963 “Constitution of the Federation” (Republican Constitution), Chapter 1, Section 5(1) states:

    “Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the constitution of each region shall have force of law throughout that region, and if any other law is inconsistent with that constitution, the provisions of that constitution shall prevail and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency be void”.

    Almost thirty (30) years of military rule has transformed our federation into a quasi-unitary state bringing along with it political instability. It is important to admit that the federation upon which Nigeria was born and founded no longer exists. What now exists is an over-centralized central government called “federal” government.

    For the sake of a SUSTAINABLE NIGERIA as ONE COUNTRY; AND FOR THE SAKE OF DEVELOPMENT; AND FOR THE SAKE OF FUTURE GENERATIONS OF NIGERIANS, we must face the FACT that the STATUS QUO is untenable. We must reaffirm and re-establish TRUE FEDERALISM as the best system for Nigeria.

    TRUE-FEDERALISM is CRITICAL to the strengthening of the foundation of ONE NIGERIA. TRUE-FEDERALISM eliminates the fear of domination by one or a combination of groups of Nigerians over others and reduces ethno-cultural tension, thus releasing the positive and creative energies of Nigerians to the building of a nation that will be a pride to all black people on earth.

    In other words, NIGERIA HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE AS ONE COUNTRY ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CONSTITUENT COMPONENTS ALSO HAVE A FUTURE. The primary challenge for us Nigerians is to reduce potential ETHNIC and SECTIONAL conflict areas to the SAFEST MINIMUM.

    This means a sincere affirmation of true federalism by all Nigerians. This implies appreciable decentralization of power and responsibilities from the centre (federal) to federating units. This implies greater financial resources to the federating units in tandem with increased responsibilities etc.

    One of the most important advantages of TRUE FEDERALISM is the equilibrium between the CENTRE (Federal) and REGIONS (Federating Units). In a country like Nigeria with multi-ethnic nationalities, the constitutional balance required by TRUE FEDERALISM should limit the tendency towards over-centralization.

    The major danger and risk of imposing a strong central government (over-centralization) is that it can only be achieved only by those who control the levers of power. An all-powerful federal government controlling the bulk of NATIONAL PURSE and economic development is not desirable. It cannot endure and will not be tolerated indefinitely by the disadvantaged sections of the country, and there shall be several attempts to reverse it leading to serious and constant disequilibrium in the polity.

    There can be no doubt that Nigeria was making more progress in national development in the pre-independence decade and the  early years of its independence when it practiced a true federalism of three or four regions with more extensive powers devolved from the centre to the regions. Those were the days of the significant export of groundnuts, hides and skins, and the tin ore from the North; of cocoa from the West; of rubber from the Mid-West; and of palm produce and coal from the East of Nigeria. They were also the days of such achievements as the free universal education in Chief Awolowo’s Western region, and of the burgeoning industrialization of Dr. Okpara’s Eastern region.

    To return to true federalism, we need a major restructuring of our current architecture of governance. We would need six federating units, instead of our present 36 units which not only sustain an over-dominant centre, but also compel the country to spend not less than 74% of its revenue on the cost of administration. If the existing 36 states must be retained in some form, they could be made cost-effective development zones with minimal administrative structures within the six federating units.

    WITH THIS BACKGROUND NDIGBO STRONGLY ADVOCATE THE RESTRUCTURING OF NIGERIA INTO SIX (6) REGIONS BASED ON ETHNIC/LINGUISTIC GROUPSNAMELY:

    1. South-east region
    2. South-west region
    3. South-south region
    4. North-central region
    5. North-east region
    6. North-west region. With ABUJA as the FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

    The (boundary) inequities and injustices of previous exercises shall be redressed In the delineation exercise for the new six-region federal structure.

    Each region shall have the right to determine the number of states, local governments, and district/community councils that shall constitute the region, according to the limits of their resources.

    The federal government shall not be involved in state, local government, and district/community council’s matters.

    The powers of the central (federal) government shall be drastically reduced in favour of the regions as federating units. As a guide we recommend that federal government functions shall not exceed those exercised by the centre (federal) at Nigeria’s Independence in 1960.

    We recommend that the institution of Police shall be two-tiered – a federal police, and a regional police.

    The Nigeria armed forces shall be organized into six regional commands.

    RELIGION: The government of the federation, of a region, of a state, or of a local government shall NOT adopt any religion as national, regional, state, or local government religion.

    This is a noteworthy contribution to the Nigerian debate. We Nigerians should consider this memorandum and similar memoranda from other nationalities in the interest of our country, Nigeria.

  • ‘Biafra struggle a blackmail against Igbo’

    President of Igbo Question Movement Ben Onyechere, has described the agitation for an independent Biafra State as a blackmail against the Igbo.

    Onyechere described it as “unacceptable the endangering of the lives of young Igbo boys in the guise of Biafra.”

    The former Special Adviser to former Vice President Alex Ekwueme in a statement yesterday said:

    “The struggle for Biafra is a deliberate blackmail and insult against the igbo and those behind it should desist from smearing the image of the Igbo.

    “Endangering the lives of young Igbos in the guise that they are Biafra is not acceptable because we cannot watch while our children are deceived and misled by a few selfish ones.

    “As activities marking the 50th anniversary of the first Nigerian coup  are ongoing, it has become increasingly important to let our people understand the difference between struggle against marginalisation and the struggle for Biafra.

    “While Biafra is a proclamation  of a state within a state which is illegal, political emancipation is attracting support and sympathy for Igbo. It is eminently clear that the Igbo have been short-changed in past administrations, particularly that of Jonathan where out of fear, Jonathan could not do anything for the Igbo.

    “It is important to let us remember that Igbo have provided a vice president on which pedestal we should seek to produce the president of this country. The Igbo held the most important positions in this country before, for which reason we must imbibe the spirit of oneness.”

    Onyechere added that President Buhari has not been fair to the Igbo. “If Buhari chooses to undermine the Igbo, we cannot be discouraged because one day it will come to an end.”

  • Lagos APC to Igbo leaders: don’t fan embers of disunity

    Lagos APC to Igbo leaders: don’t fan embers of disunity

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has warned Igbo traders against fanning the embers of ethnicity.

    This followed the bad blood generated by the relocation of traders from the demolished Owonifari Market in Oshodi to Iso Pakodowo Market.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, the APC described as a wrong assumption that the government’s decision was a declaration of war on Igbo traders as punishment for their opposition to the APC during the last general elections.

    The party described as defeatist and self-persecution for some pro-Igbo groups to conclude that their members are not wanted in certain parts of the country.

    The statement reads: “Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos at a briefing alleged that Igbo traders are being intimidated by the Lagos State government as a result of the fallout of the 2015 elections.

    “Before you know it, other Igbo groups went to town with their defeatism attitude.

    “Former Governor Babatunde Fashola had planned to evacuate the market right inside the Oshodi Round-About loop since 2007 when he came into office. The location of that market was an eyesore.”

    The statement said a committee that was set up to plan the relocation in 2007 was frustrated by politics, mistrust, blackmail and ethnicity.

    The statement added that members of the committee, including former Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget Ben Akabueze, Igbokwe, market leaders and other stakeholders held several meetings before they were stopped by the former governor, who forged ahead to secure Iso Pakodowo Market, now called Oshodi Resettlement Market.

    According to the party, the plan to relocate the market has been on the front burner u in the last eight years.

    The party urged those earning their meal tickets in Centre of Excellence to support the government in its efforts to change the face of the nation’s commercial hub.

    “We must be wise enough to know when to shift ground for the good of the commonwealth.

    “Defeatism attitude and persecution complex is not the way to go at a time like this,” it said.

  • Igbo leaders brainstorm Biafra agitations

    Igbo leaders brainstorm Biafra agitations

    For the second time since the pro-Biafra protests began, influential people from the region have met to dampen separatist passions without provoking the agitators. OKODILI NDIDI writes

    They all agreed that there was a security threat. So they cast aside all political or religious leanings and converged on Enugu to stamp out the threat and see how the region can address other challenges too. One area of concern is the poor federal road network. Another is the perceived neglect by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    Among the attendees were politicians, traditional rulers, clergymen and other stakeholders.

    Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have staged protests through much of the Southeast including some states in the Southsouth. Apart from demanding the release from detention of their leader Nnamdi Kanu, they have also been asking for a separate nation. Authorities in the states where they protested laboured to keep them quiet while the army has warned of dire consequences should the agitations continue.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who led the stakeholders, said it has become imperative to come together to address nagging issues in the zone, especially the renewed agitations by members of IPOB, a faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other pro-Biafra groups.

    Going by the publicity and widespread attention that attended the Enugu meeting, it was obvious that the zone had missed focused and quality leadership, which has been blamed for the alleged marginalisation of the zone.

    Throughout the five states of the Southeast, there was apprehension as the meeting lasted. Many had expected open and harsh condemnation of the activities of the separatist groups, while others expected the leaders to back the call for seccession, especially with the growing feelings of marginalisation of the zone by the Buhari-led Federal Government.

    The elders meeting ended without infuriating the protesters or undermining the sovereignty of the nation. They were also silent on  the demand for the release of the detained Radio Biafra Director, Kanu.

    However, the issue of the deteriorating state of Federal Government roads in the zone was identified and given priority as some of the urgent issues that will be discussed with the Federal Government. The meeting also deliberated and agreed on the proposal to build an economic hub in the zone to be jointly funded by governments of the five states.

    Reading the five-paragraph communiqué, the Imo State Governor and the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, said that the poor state of infrastructure in the Southeast and marginalisation in federal appointments and other socio-economic deficits have negatively impacted the economy of the region.

    Two committees were set up to mediate between the Federal Government and the pro-Biafra groups, while another was also set up to dialogue and mediate for the factional Ohanaeze Ndigbo group.

    According to Okorocha, a strong delegation of Southeast leaders have been mandated to meet and negotiate with the Federal Government over all the issues raised at the summit particularly as it affects the socio-economic wellbeing of the Southeast.

    The leaders commended the initiative of the Southeast Governors Forum to set up an economic council with a view to creating a viable economic and industrial hub in the region.

    But pro-Biafra groups earlier in a statement signed by the factional MASSOB Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, the group will sustain the renewed struggle until all the perceived injustices suffered by the Igbo are addressed, as well as the unconditional release of the detained Kanu.

    In a statement signed by Uchenna Madu, the factional MASSOB Director of Information, the separatist groups lamented that “Ndigbo in Nigeria have been on the receiving side of marginalization, unprovoked ethno-religious violence, subjugation, intimidation and outright neglect in sharing basic developmental amenities”.

    According to the statement, “the Federal Government has committed so much to rehabilitating victims of the Boko Haram insurgency but has conspicuously ignored Igbo returnees who form the bulk of the displaced persons from the North East Nigeria.

    “Another annoying issue is the  threat by Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos State to the effect that Ndigbo would be drowned in the Lagos lagoon if they voted a candidate of their choice went, without a reprimand to the monarch because Ndigbo were involved. They believe we are expendable.”

    Dismissing the stand of some Igbo political leaders, Madu said, “We have lost confidence in all these self-styled leaders. Look at our infrastructures, nothing shows we are part of Nigeria. All the federal roads in the Southeast are death traps.”

    The groups regretted that “while the Boko Haram sect ravaging the Northeast is being offered amnesty and dialogue, MASSOB members who have remained non-violent since inception are being shot and murdered in cold blood.

    “As at today, more than 170 corpses of members of MASSOB shot by government agents are littered in mortuaries across the entire Southeast states. Many have been detained with the security agencies unable to account for their lives today due to the systemic extra-judicial killing of our members.”

    The Sunday meeting was the second in the series of meeting organized by the Igbo leaders to address the challenges confronting the zone since the outbreak of the pro-Biafra protests.

    Those in attendance at the last meeting were Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Deputy Governors of Anambra and Abia States.

    Others were Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwuka, immediate past governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, traditional rulers, among others.

     

  • Obi, T.A. Orji and Igbo enweze syndrome

    The sterling examples set by former governors Peter Obi and Theodore Orji of Anambra and Abia states respectively would remain the pride of the Southeast for a long time to come. The Obi phenomenon is stuff for business school books about prudence in public office. T.A. Orji on the other hand, rescued Abia from the death-grips of a family cabal that had hijacked the state for its own.

    For instance, until TA took over effectively, Abia had become a wasted ghost land where worthy sons dared not return to. He changed all that. Obi transformed Anambra from a near-jungle to a model state. This duo that ought to be shining lights in Igbo land are being abused and disparaged daily by their successors and predecessors just to taint them and bring them down. Any wonder miscreants are taking over and not a single guiding voice in the land. N’ezia, Igbo enwe eze, what a shame.

  • Okorocha: Igbo won’t negotiate on MASSOB platform

    Okorocha: Igbo won’t negotiate on MASSOB platform

    •‘Pro-Jonathan forces behind fresh Biafra agitation’

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has said the Igbo will not use the platform of any separatist group, including the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), to pursue the Igbo agenda.

    Okorocha, who distanced Southeast governors and leaders from the pro-Biafra groups, said the zone did not need an armed struggle associated with militia groups to attract economic and infrastructural development.

    The governor, who spoke at a breakfast meeting with reporters, noted that the zone’s setbacks could not be addressed by antagonising the North and West, but by mutual cooperation and support for the All Progressives Congress-led (APC) Federal Government.

    His words: “The Igbo will not use the agitation for Biafra as a platform to negotiate the place of Ndigbo, but will support the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to attract the dividends of democracy that eluded us in the past.

    “We should try to jettison religious sentiments and support President Buhari. The Igbo will not use Biafra as a front; we condemn those agitating for Biafra because that is not Ndigbo’s need”.

    But the senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has said agitation for Biafra is a plan ‘B’ action promoted by pro-Jonathan forces to undermine President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Sani, who spoke during an interaction with reporters in Kaduna yesterday, said: “The new agitation for Biafra is a misguided, ill-conceived and ill-fated course.

    “The Biafra agitation is a new attempt to destroy the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, to ignite a national conflict and cause chaos, pandemonium and confusion. It is not reflective of the interest and generality of the Igbo people.”

    The senator said the Igbo had made progress since the civil war, adding that their future was better guaranteed and sustained within a united Nigeria.

    Sani said: “Those attempting to wake up the Biafran course are of three categories. The first are young men with no knowledge of the tragedy, suffering and hardship Nigerians endured during the Civil War. The second category are desperate forces hiding behind the Biafran agitation to undermine our national unity and destroy theMuhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    “And the third group are simply warmongers, who want crisis in an era of peace and progress. So, I will say this in clear terms: Nigeria is an indivisible entity and we have since gone beyond the Civil War.”

    The people of the Southeast, Sani said, had the right within the ambit of the constitution to demand to be recognised and respected as equal partners in the Nigerian project.

    He cautioned that their agitation must, however, be within the ambit of respect for the indivisibility of Nigeria and the constitution.

    ”As long as we realise the change agenda, entrench good governance and run an all-inclusive government, the Biafran agitation will naturally fizzle out.

    “Nigerians must be patient with the President Buhari’s administration. It is wrong for people to accuse him of not performing, taking cognisance of the rot in the last 16 years.

    “We have no reason to give excuses and lament the problems of Nigeria when Nigerians are desirous of change and progress,” Sani said.

     

     

     

     

  • Igbo shop for new leader in Ondo

    Igbo shop for new leader in Ondo

    Igbo in Akure, the Ondo Statecapital are in the process of searching for a possible replacement for the Eze Ndigbo of the state following the dethronement of Sir Gregory Iloehike by the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo.

    The Deji of Akure had during a meeting with the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko called for the abolition of Eze Ndigbo title in his domain after he had alleged Sir Iloehike of insubordination and disrespect to his authorities.

    Oba Aladetoyinbo also directed Igbo leaders in Akure and the state at large to appoint a new leader to replace Iloehike. It was however gathered that some Igbo leaders have begun to search for a new leader in the state, just as they had sent emissary to the Deji of Akure.

    The Deji of Akure has also warned that the new Igbo leader will not be allowed to wear beaded crown and other regalia.The situation, it was gathered has caused division within the

    Ohaneze Ndigbo in the state, with some  still pledging their loyalty to the dethroned leader and  some others backing the call for his replacement.

    However, Oba Aladetoyinbo informed that he has forgiven the Igbo in the state and directed all Igbo traders to return to their markets.He insisted that a new Leader should be chosen by the Igbo,stressing that he would not tolerate violation of the culture and tradition of Akure by any individual.

    Efforts to reach the dethroned Eze Ndigbo proved abortive, but the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the state, Chief Okechukwu Okorie said Igbo leader can only emerge through election.

    He recalled that the dethroned Eze Ndigbo emerged through an election conducted by the national leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo after obtaining a nomination form of #500,000.00.

    He said  Iloehike defeated his opponent with wide margin and was taken to the palace of the Deji of Akure where the Late Deji, Oba Adebiyi Adesida performed his coronation. Okorie appealed to the traditional ruler to embrace all the Igbo living in his domain.

  • Eze Ndigbo Akure moves to reconcile with Deji

    Eze Ndigbo Akure moves to reconcile with Deji

    The Igbo in Akure, the Ondo State capital, are trying to reconcile with the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, after a few days of bickering.

    The monarch had accused the Eze Ndigbo, Sir Gregory Iloehike, of insubordination and lack of respect for his authority.

    But Iloehike denied the allegation, saying he couldn’t be arrogant to the tribe that has accommodated his tribe for over many decades ago.

    Rising from a special meeting of Ohaneze Ndigbo at the palace of the Eze Ndigbo in Akure, the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the state, Chief Okechukwu Okorie, said the Igbo respect the Deji and would not do anything against his wish.

    He said the Igbo in the state are peace loving people, adding that the Ohaneze Ndigbo has started reconciliatory moves with the Deji and palace chiefs to ensure peaceful and harmonious co-existence between the Yoruba and Igbo in the town.

    The group described the relationship between the Deji and Igbo as that of a father and his children, noting that the monarch remains the father to all.

    He said: “The Igbo are law abiding and we remain good subjects of the Deji of Akure. We can never warn the Deji on any issue, rather he is in position to warn us.

    “The Deji is our father and we are his children. Whatever he wants is our wish and we shall continue to obey his directives.”

    Okorie, who hinted that the Igbo leaders have decided to reconcile with the Deji, informed that efforts are on top gear to reach out to the traditional ruler.

    He urged the monarch to forgive those who might have offended him, adding that the Igbo would continue to maintain the peace for which Akure is known for.