The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Iwuanyanwu

  • Tinubu mourns death of Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader, Iwuanyanwu

    Tinubu mourns death of Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader, Iwuanyanwu

    President Bola Tinubu has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, who passed away on Thursday, July 25.

    Chief Iwuanyanwu was a renowned businessman and politician, and his death has been described as an irreparable loss to the Imo State Government, his friends and associates, and the Igbo community.

    In a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu praised Chief Iwuanyanwu’s remarkable legacy, saying he will always be remembered for his contributions.

    The president also prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed elder statesman and comfort for his family during this difficult time.

    “President Bola Tinubu extends his heartfelt commiserations to the family of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on Thursday.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Ohanaeze President General, Iwuanyanwu dies at 82

    “Chief Iwuanyanwu was the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. He was an accomplished businessman and notable politician.

    “President Tinubu condoles with the Imo State Government, the friends and associates of the deceased, and Ndi Igbo over this irreparable loss.

    “The President affirms that Chief Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy.

    “President Tinubu prays for the repose of the soul of the departed elder statesman and comfort to his family”, the statement said.

  • BREAKING: Ohanaeze President General, Iwuanyanwu dies at 82

    BREAKING: Ohanaeze President General, Iwuanyanwu dies at 82

    The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu has reportedly passed away.

    This was verified in a statement on Thursday, July 25 by Jide Iwuanyanwu, the son of the late Chief.

    According to the statement, the 82-year-old Iwuanyanwu died in Abuja on Thursday after struggling with illness.

    The statement read: “The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo,” the statement read.

    Read Also: Iwuanyanwu alleges threat to life

    “Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82. Chief Iwuanyanwu before his death was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.”

    Iwuanyanwu is survived by several children and grandchildren as well as his wife, Lady Princess Frances Iwuanyanwu.

    Details shortly…

  • Iwuanyanwu alleges threat to life

    Iwuanyanwu alleges threat to life

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s President-General Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu yesterday raised an alarm over threat to his life.

    The Igbo leader did not give the identities of those he said are from the Southeast.

    He claimed that some southeasterners whom he described as anti-Igbo have orchestrated plans to either kill him or burn down his house over his leadership of the pan-Igbo socio-political organisation.

    Iwuanyanwu told reporters yesterday at a news conference at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretariat, Enugu, that the same group of persons threatening his life caused the death of his predecessor, Prof George Obiozor, attempted to kill former President-General, Nnia Nwodo.

    He said: “This has become very dangerous. These people have carried this too far. Sometime ago, I got some information that some people were coming to burn my house; that people said they were hired to come and burn my house.

    “Some people also said they were hired to come and kill me; all sorts of stories like that. And I started asking myself: what is it that I have done that would warrant that my house should be burned; that I should be killed?

    “I told those people that they shouldn’t worry. Fortunately, one of them said that the person they hired said that I trained his brother in the university. You know I had a scholarship scheme that trained over 5000 young people in the university. So, he said his brother was trained by me and so he cannot burn my house.

    Read Also; I didn’t propose increase in VAT rate, says Taiwo Oyedele

    “I feel sad that I should be confronted by some of these types of spectre of threats just because I want to serve my people.

    “I have looked at my past career and seen how God blessed me. At 82 when I’ve retired, for me now to come back to serve my people and to find myself completely engulfed in this type of mess.

    “I’m somebody who is dogged and can’t easily be pushed around. God has given me the heart and determination to serve my people.”

    He stated that the group traced Obiozor to his village to kill him and when they failed to get him, they set his house on fire.

    Iwuanyanwu said: “Obiozor died as a result of that attack on his country home because as a diplomat, all his books, awards and recognition were totally burnt and these were things he cherished so much.

    “In the case of Nnia Nwodo, as president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, they trailed him to his village in Ukehe, Enugu state and threw bomb into his house. Fortunately, he was not there.”

    He stated that the former president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, late Pro Joe Irukwu, also suffered similar fate when he was accused of receiving millions of naira to work against the interest of Igboland, adding that “Irukwu painfully carried the allegation until his death”.

    Bemoaning the Igbo knack for pulling down their leaders, he said: “Evidently, we the Igbo destroy the Igbo in diverse ways; and turn around to claim that others are after us. When it was Chief Nwodo as the President-General of Ohanaeze, the same group bombed the house of Nwodo at Ukehe; and pronounced him a saboteur that should be stoned to death wherever he was found.

    “The matter took the author to Chief Mbazulike Amechi house at Ukpor and Chief Amechi was shocked to discover that they fabricated falsehood against Nwodo. And they apologised.”

    Iwuanyanwu, who stated that he was prepared to serve Ndigbo and would not succumb to threats of anti-Igbo, bemoaned the Igbo penchant for pulling down their leaders.

    He dismissed as unfounded that the group under his watch plans to apologise over the January 15, 166 military coup.

  • Iwuanyanwu: Tinubu should prioritise restructuring Nigeria

    Iwuanyanwu: Tinubu should prioritise restructuring Nigeria

    President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration should prioritise restructuring as well as establishing a true federal constitution in Nigeria.

    Iwuanyanwu, in an interview yesterday, also examined the Ndigbo peace committee which aims to dispel misconceptions and stop the alleged biased treatment of the Igbo people by other Nigerians.

    Reiterating the need for a federal constitution, the 81-year-old politician said: “We had a true federal constitution in 1960, and 1963, and that worked for us. It was later changed to a military constitution. Now, that is why we in Igbo land are saying please, let us have a true federal constitution. What we are operating today is a unitary government. It doesn’t work with people who have diverse backgrounds.”

    Read Also; Strengthening the National Safe Schools Initiative

    Iwuanyanwu, quite convinced that the government ought to take steps to actualise the restructuring of Nigeria, argued further “Without a proper restructuring, Nigeria will continue to have problems. There is no way this country can survive. Today, everybody is talking about the presidency. In a restructured Nigeria, the presidency will not attract so much attention as it does today.”

    He also addressed the supposed hostility that has been meted to the Igbo, claiming that they have been treated unfairly ever since the 2023 presidential elections.

    “Suddenly after the elections, Igbo buildings were being demolished in various places with excuses. I have investigated the demolitions in Lagos with examples, and it is very clear to me that some of them didn’t follow the process of law of any civilised society”, he stated firmly.

    On the peace committee instituted to tackle discrimination against Ndigbo in Nigeria, Iwuanyanwu said: “We’re going to produce our own story about the events in Nigeria from 1966. We will produce a book which we will keep in Nigeria for posterity, to know the position of Igbo.”

  • Dan Iwuanyanwu is a proud father

    Dan Iwuanyanwu is a proud father

    It’s the joy of every parent to see their children do well.

    When these children make the right choice, every parent is excited by celebrating them to the high heavens.

    This is the case of politician and businessman Chief Dan Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, whose daughter, Adline Onyiyechi, made him proud when she walked down the aisle with Chinemerem Justus Onyenegecha in Amuzu, Amaimo Local Government, Imo State.

    The ceremony had the trappings of the who-is-who in Imo State as it was a sight of opulence mixed with traditional aesthetics. The bride’s father spared no cost in ensuring her daughter was also celebrated.

    Read Also: Budgets of 63 Government Owned Enterprises made public

    From the traditional attire to the expensive decoration by United Kingdom events to the alluring colours, endless supply of high-cost drinks and array of local and continental dishes, the nuptial is rated one of the biggest in Imo.

    The former National Chairman of the Labour Party ensured that those who attended were treated to the best.

    Iwuanyanwu advised his daughter to respect her hubby and ensure a smooth home.

    The businessman couldn’t hide his emotions when it further dawned on him that his lovely daughter is now a woman and someone’s wife.

  • Iwuanyanwu: Igbo committed to Tinubu presidency

    Iwuanyanwu: Igbo committed to Tinubu presidency

    President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has declared the resolution of the Igbo community to extend their support to President Bola Tinubu. 

    He reiterated that the Igbo are committed to pledging their allegiance and loyalty to President Tinubu, acknowledging him as the President of Nigeria and also their brother.

    Iwuanyanwu spoke when he visited the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, at the Iga Idugaran Palace. He stressed the need for collaboration and support from President Tinubu in addressing the legitimate concerns of the Igbo community.

    He said: “Let him believe us, this statement is being made by the leader of Igbos. What we want from the leadership is justice, fairness, equity. 

    “We don’t want to take another person’s state, whatever is our right should be given to us. We are will support him and be loyal to him. Anybody who fights him unjustly, we will join him to fight such a a person, but we want him to help us get whatever is our right. “

    Dispelling any misconceptions regarding the relationship between the Yoruba and the Igbo, Chief Iwuanyanwu said there is no rift between the two communities. He also stressed the need for peaceful co-existence and respect for the law, and emphasised the importance of upholding the values ingrained by their forefathers in obeying the laws of the land and promoting harmonious relationships.

    Read Also; Electricity disruption nationwide caused by shutdown of Egbin Power Plant – IED

    Reflecting on the recent political landscape, Chief Iwuanyanwu acknowledged the Igbos’ historical alliance with President Tinubu during his time as Governor of Lagos, applauding the favourable treatment extended to the Igbo community.

    Oba Akiolu noted the belief of Lagosians in the value of forming connections and maintaining peace, emphasising that those who come to Lagos will prosper and contribute to the progress of the city and the nation as a whole.

     The monarch hoped that the current leadership will do right by everyone, saying it is only a matter of time before all efforts come to fruition, particularly with President Tinubu. He also restarted that genuine contributions from individuals towards the success and progress of the country will lead to collective well-being and prosperity for all.

    He said: “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Any leader anywhere, if you have the fear of God, you’re disciplined and you’re prayerful and you wish the best for your fellow being, all will be well with you. I have said it times without number, we have no problem in this country, it is just problem of closeness to God, discipline and love for all. 

    “With the emergence of this our present president, it is just a question of time, all will be worth it. Everybody must have to contribute genuinely to the success and progress of this country and all will be well.”

  • Insecurity: I’m ready to stake my life to end violence in southeast, says Iwuanyanwu

    Insecurity: I’m ready to stake my life to end violence in southeast, says Iwuanyanwu

    Apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has moved to adopt a non-kinetic approach to restore peace and end the incessant killings and violence in the southeast region.

    The group also said that it does not want Igbos to continue crying about constant bloodshed and violence, declaring that it would start by appealing to people causing bloodshed to embrace peace.

    The President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who disclosed this during a press conference to announce the programme for the September 29 Igbo Day celebration on Saturday, September 23, in Enugu state, said he was tired of the killing of Igbos by their fellow Igbos.

    Iwuanyanwu, who is worried about the constant killings and destructions in Igboland, said: “However, I don’t want us to be crying all the time. As a father, I am tired of the death of my children. Igbos have given me the responsibility of leading them at this time.

    “Each time I hear anybody killed, I feel very sad because some of them are doing what they are doing because of hunger and unemployment.

    “I am not saying that hunger or unemployment should make somebody become a criminal. But not everyone has the capacity to endure hardship or hunger.

    “We have been using kinetic approach before now. I think, we’re going to adopt non-kinetic approach.

    “In fact, on the Igbo Day celebration, I’m likely to announce a non-kinetic approach. I will, as a father now, call everybody because Igbos have made me their leader. As a father, it’s my duty to call everybody to peace; to make peace among everybody. So, we’re initiating a non-kinetic approach to restore peace in Igboland.

    “What we’re doing now (Igbo Day celebration) is to ensure that when people finish school here, they would have opportunities. We have tried to get a lot of things done”.

    The President-General disclosed that he is ready to beg the leaders of the unknown gunmen and even stake his own life to get the youths to lay down their arms and embrace.

    He also disclosed that Ohanaeze had perfected plans to send a delegation to Finland and other places to beg those causing bloodshed in the region to give peace a chance.

    He said: “I will beg all these people (unknown gunmen). I will even give them my life if that’s what it will take to bring peace back to Igboland, I’m ready to surrender.

    “The National Executive Council (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has given me the approval to set up a committee that will go abroad to dialogue with the funders of these people.

    “We will go to Finland and other places and beg them. We’re not going there to arrest them. We’re not going there to kill them. I don’t want to kill any of my children. All these unknown gunmen are my children. That’s why we’re going there to beg and appeal to them to give peace a chance. Tell us what we should do and we are doing it already. I’m sure even those who are hungry, we can find what to do to make them happy.

    “But you see, the shedding of blood should stop. My new resolution is: ‘enough of bloodshed’.

    “I have noticed that these people are determined. It’s not easy to stop a hungry person who probably has been getting his livelihood through the use of guns. But, I’m sure, if I as a father go and cry to them, we will see what will happen.

    Read Also: Umahi announces contractor for Lagos-Calabar coaster highway

    “I trust in God. My parents were very good Christians and they taught me from cradle to trust in God. So, I believe God will do this for me”, he said.

    The Igbo leader said the new approach towards ending the security challenges in the region would require the support of both the state governors and that of the federal government.

    He added: “It will be good for the federal government to have peace in the Southeast. It won’t pay anybody to have bloodshed anywhere because nobody is benefiting from it.

    “So, whatever sacrifice they(federal government) make to make the non-kinetic approach work and end bloodshed, killings and violence, and so on, will be useful. That’s what I want to do.

    “In our constitution, the federal government has a duty to protect the lives and property of every individual.

    “So, I want to call on the federal government to put a stop to people stopping its citizens from going about their normal businesses.

    “Otherwise, if some aspect of our laws are activated, the federal government maybe paying compensation to those persons who are forced to stay at home. This is because he is staying at home because of insecurity which the federal government could not contain”.

    Iwuanyanwu also appealed to the federal government to assist the zone with the reconstruction of railways, creating seaports and more international airports to ease their businesses.

    “I want to appeal to the federal government. Many people have been coming, be it service chiefs and all of that. We’re not looking for guns. We’re looking for opportunities for our youths.

    “Now they are talking about palliatives. These things don’t affect the lives of a normal Igbo person because it does not change his poor condition. What you can do for an Igboman is to give him an opportunity to make a living for himself.

    “What the federal government can do for us is to ensure that we have the same job opportunities others have. We want them to create job opportunities here.

    “Also, we want the federal government to support our governors. If they can increase the funding for the five Southeast governors because they’re spending a lot of money on security. You know this security is actually supposed to be federal responsibility, not state responsibility.

    “There are other areas that the federal government can help us. For example, our people are traders, commercial people. Now look at the transportation problems. In the whole of Southeast, we have two international airports: Enugu Airport and Imo Cargo Airport. Up till today, Imo Cargo Airport has not started working in terms of bringing cargoes. Our people are traders. It will save them money if that cargo planes are landing in that airport.

    “Even in Enugu that’s already operating international flight, only one airline which is an African airline belonging to Ethiopia that is operating there. We need European, Asian and American-bound airlines to be operating there.

    “All these will make lift very easy for us. Take for example, railway lines are important for our kind of business. Studies have shown that if we create rail lines in the capitals of the five states, it will be a profitable business. We are going to propose it to the governors and we need the federal government to support it. “I want to use this opportunity to thank the federal government for the dredging of Oguta Lake. We commend Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State who got the federal government to do that.”

  • My heart bleeds over Southeast killings, says Iwuanyanwu

    My heart bleeds over Southeast killings, says Iwuanyanwu

    • Army commander visits wounded soldiers in hospitals
    • We stopped sit-at-home protest, not military – IPOB

    The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has expressed sadness over the killings in Igboland.

    This is coming shortly after the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada visited wounded soldiers in hospitals.

    In another development, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) faulted the claim in certain quarters that the Nigerian army stopped the infamous Monday sit-at-home order in the Southeast region.

    Iwuanyanwu in a statement on Friday in Enugu said: “My heart bleeds at the sad events in Igboland where Igbos are killing fellow Igbos.

    “I am equally very distressed by the rate at which the Nigerian security operatives are killed not only in Igboland but all over the country.

    “Worse still is the suspected reprisal attack where innocent Igbo sons and daughters from Mbano in Imo State have found their lives and means of livelihood completely destroyed.”

    He said the situation was completely unacceptable to him, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and “Indeed unacceptable to all honest, right-thinking and patriotic Nigerians.

    “I condemn it in strong terms,” the Igbo leader said.

    Read Also: Why we passed vote of confidence on Iwuanyanwu – Ohanaeze youths

    He said he would be sending a team immediately, under the Chairmanship of C. J. Ihemedu, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State Chapter, to give him a comprehensive report on the matter.

    “I call on the Federal Government to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime and make sure they face the law.

    “I also urge the Federal Government to put in place necessary security measures to forestall the recurrence of this sad event,” he said.

    He noted that similar incidents had occurred in all the states of Southeast, adding that as of now there seemed to be no solution as the matter is even getting worse.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo is right now undertaking a total transformation of Igboland and by this transformation, more job opportunities will be created in the zone for school leavers; and infrastructure for businessmen and women.

    “I wish, on behalf of all Igbos worldwide, to express our deep sympathy to the families of the security men who were gruesomely murdered.

    “We also sympathise with our people in Mbano whose shops and houses were destroyed during the reprisal attack.

    “I pray to the Almighty God to take control of events in Igboland so that we will once more enjoy peace, happiness, and prosperity in our land,” Iwuanyanwu said.

    Army commander visits wounded personnel in hospitals

      The GOC 82 Division, Dada, during his visit to hospitals in Owerri, urged his soldiers and personnel of the other sister security agencies to remain focused and resolute in ending the spiral of violence in the Southeast.

    Dada was in the hospital to see wounded soldiers, who were involved in the fatal ambush by unknown gunmen at Umualumaku in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area in Imo State.

    He pledged to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act which saw the loss of lives of five personnel of the Joint Task Force, Operation Search and Flush (OP SAF) to book.

    The GOC, who is also the Commander of Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II, made this pledge and said, “I urge all (security personnel) to remain focused and resolute at bringing to an end, the spiral of violence in the Southeast region,” he said.

    The GOC, while extending appreciation of both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff to the soldiers, commended them for their selfless sacrifice towards the restoration of peace in Imo State and the entire Southeast by extension.

    He assured of the best medical services available at no cost to the soldiers while expressing hope for their quickest recovery.

    Dada subsequently paid condolence visits to sister heads of security agencies who lost personnel in the incident.

    The GOC equally assured strengthening existing cordial relations among security agencies within the region.

    We stopped sit-at-home protests, not military – IPOB

     The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that its leader Nnamdi Kanu stopped the infamous Monday sit-at-home order in the Southeast region.

    The pro-separatist group in a statement on Friday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful maintained that Nnamdi Kanu stopped the sit-at-home, not the military as it claimed.

    While describing the military claim as laughable, he said the sit-at-home was stopped through a letter written by Nnamdi Kanu calling an end to it, adding that IPOB printed flyers, banners, and posters informing the public to go about their normal businesses on Mondays.

    Powerful said that the claims by the Nigerian military that they stopped the sit-at-home was laughable.

    He said: “Our attention has been drawn to the laughable and disgraceful statement credited to the Nigeria security agencies, particularly the military, that they stopped Monday’s sit-at-home order in the Southeast region.

    “We therefore request the general public to ignore the military and other security agencies.

    “As much as the sit-at-home was an IPOB brainchild and a powerful strategy of IPOB before the Nigeria security agencies hijacked and abused it, its ending was as a result of proactive actions and strategy by IPOB and our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu printing flyers, posters, and banners informing our people that sit-at-home is over and had been over.

    “The Nigerian military must stop telling lies that it stopped sit-at-home. Nigeria military has no capacity for stopping the infamous Monday sit-at-home in Biafraland,” he said.

     According to him, “The Nigeria securities, especially the military, and the police aggravated the sit-at-home by their tacit support of the criminals enforcing the sit-at-home to blackmail IPOB and ESN.”

  • Iwuanyanwu backs Ohanaeze

    Frontline Igbo leader Emmanuel Iwuanyawu and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha clashed yesterday over the adoption of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    Iwuanyawu justified the endorsement of the Atiku/Obi ticket by the group. Okorocha said the adoption has no political relevance and would not in any way affect the outcome of the forthcoming elections

    The Igbo group has come under severe criticism for endorsing Atiku as the preferred candidate for the Igbo.

    But Iwuanyanwu, in a telephone chat with The Nation yesterday, said that the apex body, acted in the best interest of the Igbo, who he said has been grossly marginalised.

    According to him, Ohaneze Ndigbo, as the highest decision making body of the Igbo has the right to choose who Ndigbo will support without coming under unnecessary attacks.

    Further justifying Ohanaeze’s action, Iwuanyanwu, who was in the meeting where Atiku was adopted, said: “The leadership of the cattle rearers has adopted President Muhammadu Buhari as their own and nobody is attacking them, Ohanaeze in the same vein, adopted Atiku because he chose one of us and his programme of restructuring conforms with one of the demand of the Igbo as the only way to address the imbalance in the country.”

    Vindication the President-General of the Ohanaeze, Iwuanyanwu explained: “At the meeting, all the states were adequately represented and what the president-general did was put the issue to debate, one was to stay neutral, the other was support Atiku or Buhari but majority of the people voted in support of Atiku, that was how the decision was reached.”

    Further commenting on the boycott of the inaugurating of Zik’s Mausoleum in Onitsha by the leadership of Ohaneze, he said that the body was not invited by the government, “it is failure by Igbo in government, they are those who should remind the government.”

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has described the adoption of Atiku as null and void and of no effect.

    The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, insisted: “Ohaneze is a socio-cultural organisation and not a registered political party and there is no voting unit or polling booth called Ohaneze. So, its adoption of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be seen as a folklore and should not give anybody concern.”

    Okorocha also pointed out that the action of the Igbo group has no electoral value.

    He said: “The adoption is neither here nor there, since it has no electoral value. This is also not the first time Ohaneze has adopted a PDP Presidential Candidate. It did that in 2015, yet, PDP failed with its presidential candidate, while APC won with its presidential candidate.

    “And one would have expected Ohaneze to exercise caution this time following what happened in 2015. Indeed, the Organization should have done things differently especially when it remembers that all Igbos whether in PDP, APC, APGA, ADC or SDP are presumed to be members of Ohaneze.

    “Not minding the adoption, President Buhari will win in the Southeast and the general election proper. So, Igbos in APC should remain focused and not to make the adoption an issue, when it is not an issue in all ramifications.”

  • How to end herdsmen’s killings, by ACF, Iwuanyanwu, Niger Delta leaders, others

    From many quarters yesterday came kudos for the federal government  over  its latest initiative to stem the spate of killings by herdsmen across the country.

    But it was also told to be more pro-active in dealing with threats ,real and otherwise,to the lives and property of Nigerians.

    Government,on Thursday,adopted the recommendation of the committee set up by the National Economic Council (NEC) to stop movements  by nomadic  herdsmen starting with Adamawa,Benue,Kaduna,Plateau and Taraba –states worst hit  by herdsmen-farmers clashes.

    It said focus will now be on the creation of ranches where cows and their owners can have access to all they require.

    An Igbo leader and entrepreneur,Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Secretary General of  the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr. Anthony N. Z Sani,Senior Advocate of Nigeria Niyi Akintola, chairman of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), Chief Edward Ekpoko, and an Urhobo opinion leader, Chief Victor Otomiewo,all agreed that Nigeria has had enough of the recent bloodletting.

    They  spoke on a day the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) accused President Muhammadu Buhari of playing the ostrich by the way his government is handling the herdsmen issue.

    But Buhari for the umpteenth time declared that unity has always been his objective  and pledged to  “ continue to do everything within my powers to unite Nigeria.’’

    Chief Iwuanyanwu speaking to The Nation said: “”It is a very strange experience. Nigeria is at war considering the number of people we are losing every day.

    “I think the security agencies  need to tell Nigerians the truth about what is happening, starting from the Boko Haram menace to the issue of herdsmen.

    “Up till now, we don’t know who they are  and where they come from.  I don’t have any doubt in my mind that the problem has internal collusion .

    “I am not even sure that the people who are arrested are the perpetrators of the crime. It looks to me like a well planned operation. Many people believe there is internal collusion and Gen. T.Y. Danjuma was bold enough to say this.

    “This is a war situation and we need  to do something to help those who are suffering.

    “If we continue this way, we are going to destroy this country. The country is on the brink of collapse.

    The case of Benue is very serious  and it has suffered more than Bornu. We have the North East Development Commission that is taking  care of  Bornu. The  same should be done to Benue, Taraba, Nassarawa and Plateau.”

    In a separate interview ,the Secretary General of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr. Anthony N. Z Sani advised the  federal government to  meet with all the state governors , chairmen of local governments and all stake holders “with a view to coming out with how best the mindless killings could be stopped and give way for the economic activities to thrive.

    “Because of the overwhelming challenges posed by these clashes, any plans and programs of stopping the killings should include short, medium and long terms.

    “Surely, ranches are the best practices in the world, but because of the limited resources and capacity on the part of not only the pastoralists but also on the part of governments at all level, it may be necessary to approach the introduction of the ranches gradually as resources and capacity permit.

    “That is why I commend the decision by the National Economic Council to start the process of introduction of ranches in some five states now with clear understanding by governors and all the stake holders that they need to work together ensure the plans and the programs succeed for the good of all concerned.

    “This is very important because peaceful coexistence is sine qua non for any meaningful socioeconomic development.

    “All Nigerians need peace to be able to sublimate their time and energy in order for both the country and the individuals to thrive.”

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Niyi Akintola warned: “This problem is speeding gradually  and we don’t know where it will spread to  tomorrow.I foresee a situation where people  will confront the security agencies  weapon for weapon. We need to increase the strength of the security agencies  and build the  confidence in the people.

    “What is happening in Benue is a confirmation of the postulation of TY Danjuma.  The old man was right.

    “I am worried about the loss of confidence of the people in our security agencies. Tthe mantra now is self defence. The self defence as propagated by Gen  TY Danjuma is now getting  a wider acceptance and approval across the country. The country will need to do more on enlightenment than appealing to the people.  The government has to be proactive.”

    The youth wing of  the Igbo apex socio cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called for “security screening, registration, and regulation of herdsmen’s activities.”

    It also asked to  herdsmen to “always allow the rule of law to prevail since we are in a democracy and the military, Police, SSS et al; should be given enough logistics and equipment to eradicate the  herdsmen menace.”

    The chairman of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), Chief Edward Ekpoko, and an Urhobo opinion leader, Chief Victor Otomiewo, said government should tighten internal security.

    “I think the whole herdsmen problem goes beyond dispute over grazing areas, it’s beyond that. The killings in Benue in the last three days, in which they had to go into churches, shooting people, what has that got to do with grazing? I think the thing is just pure insecurity; our  borders are too porous, especially in the north,” Otomiewo told The Nation.

    “It is unfortunate that rather than face the real issues, people are playing politics with the lives of Nigerians. You want Buhari to solve every security problem in every corner of Nigeria, but in the meantime you have governors who are pocketing security vote every month. You have council chairmen who are pocketing security vote, nobody is asking questions about that one.