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Tag: Ohanaeze

  • Ohanaeze to FG: immortalise Aguiyi-Ironsi

    Ohanaeze to FG: immortalise Aguiyi-Ironsi

    In commemoration of the 50th memorial anniversary of the death of Nigeria’s first military head of state, Gen Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi, the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio- cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged the Federal Government to immortalise Nigeria’s first military Head of State, General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyironsi, who was murdered in the July 29, 1966, counter coup.

    The Ohanaeze Youth Council ( OYC), in a press statement issued yesterday by its National President, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, regretted that 50 years after his death, the FG is yet to immortalize Ironsi, who they said staked his life to unite Nigeria.

    “The Federal Government should name the nation’s seat of power, Aso Rock after the late Head of State.  All those who are responsible for his murder should tender an unconditional apology to Ndigbo and the Ironsi family.

     “We regret that while the masterminds of the heinous act are still moving around and parading themselves as statesmen, the members of Ironsi’s family have continued to wallow in pains and poverty. The federal and various state governments should also give attention to the welfare of the family to assuage their pains.”

    Also speaking at a programme to mark the anniversary of the death of the former head of state, the First Lady and wife of the president, Hajia Aisha Buhari, urged Nigerians to be patriotic and to imbibe the spirit of love and unity that characterized the life of the Aguiyi Ironsi.

    The first lady described Ironsi as a great patriot and a soldiers’ soldier, who stood for everything good about Nigeria, even at the point of death.

    Mrs. Buhari, represented by the wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, said that Ironsi worked for the unity of the nation, which makes it imperative for what he stood for to be emulated for the good of the nation.

     “From all indications, he stood for one Nigeria, we appreciate and support the ideals he lived and died for. So, people should emulate the virtues of the late head of state.”

    The wife of the president also commended Lady Victoria Ironsi, the widow of the late head of state, for holding the forth since a half century after the death of her husband, adding that Mrs. Ironsi has shown commitment, courage and selfless service in the face of all odds.

    In his speech, Abia State governor, Dr Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, who was represented by his wife, Nkechi, said that Ironsi lived and died for the unity of Nigeria and represented everything good that Nigeria stood for from the beginning.

    IAlso speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff [CDS], Major General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, praised the virtues of the late head of state.

    The CDS, represented by Maj. Gen Edward Nze, said that the event that led to the death of Ironsi was due to the actions or inactions of past leaders, stressing that that they are still having effect on the nation till date.

    He advised that the present crop of leaders should be wary of their actions or inactions and consider the impact of their actions on future generations in order to avoid a repeat of the sad event.

     “We should therefore learn from experience of the past and think deeply before we take actions. Let’s aspire to serve our country, love more, hate less and build a nation where justice and peace will reign,” the CDS said.

    Ironsi’s first son, Ambassador Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in his remarks, praised the late Col Adekunle Fajuyi, the then Military Governor of defunct Western Region, who died with his father.

    The younger Ironsi said, “Lt Col Fajuyi was a great man. He became a sacrificial lamb and followed the head of state till death. We salute the entire Fajuyi family and urge them to keep the flag flying.”

    Earlier in his homily at the memorial mass, Rev Fr Aloysius Nwabeke noted that while 50 years have gone since the assassination of Ironsi, yet nationhood is still elusive, adding that the only people that really believe in Nigeria are those benefitting from the inequitable system.

  • Stop agitation for sovereign state, Ohanaeze tells IPOB

    Stop agitation for sovereign state, Ohanaeze tells IPOB

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has told the various groups agitating for self determination in the south east to perish the dream, saying that Ndigbo are stakeholders in the country and have no reason to break away from the union.

    The group made the remark during the Igbo Unity Summit held at Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    In a statement signed by the chairman of the states’ chairmen, Mazi Alex Okemiri, the group condemned the Independent People Of Biafra (IPOB) for describing the Owerri summit as a Jamboree, noting that such description for a gathering of eminent Igbo leaders was very unfortunate.

     They advised IPOB to respect Igbo leaders and their fathers who fought to bring Ndigbo to their present status.

    “Ndigbo are joint landlords of Nigeria and cannot leave it for anybody but will only continue to seek for justice, equity and fair play for all Nigerians in general and Ndigbo in particular.

    “Our attention has also been drawn to the antics of a group, which styled itself as Igbo Wuotu. It also parades itself as south east elders and recently threatened to invade the Government House in Umuahia to remove Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

    “Nigerians, Ndigbo and Abians should disregard the group. It is not one of the Igbo groups recognised by the apex Igbo body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo. It is therefore an illegal group. Security agents have the moral duty to fish out those behind the group as they are inciting the public and causing confusion in the polity. We also call on Dr Okezie Ikpeazu not to be deterred by the antics of the group and their sponsors.

    The groups called on the people of Abia State to continue to pray for a speedy resolution of the legal battles the governor is facing so that “he will not be distracted again in his effort to reposition the state.”

  • Ohanaeze seeks probe of Biafra Day mayhem

    Ohanaeze seeks probe of Biafra Day mayhem

    Igbo Social Cultural Organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo has condemned the mayhem that accompanied Monday’s Biafra Day protest organised by members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

    It called on the Federal and Anambra State Governments to set up investigative panels to probe the action.

    In a statement signed by Secretary General Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, the organisation said it was traumatised by the “outrageous massacre of the non-violent members” of the two organizations.

    Nwaorgu said Ohanaeze is unimpressed and unconvinced by the “talk of Provocation”, wondering what level of provocation that would warrant the firing of tears gas, without first calling on a crowd to disperse.

    The statement said: “ We are traumatised by the outrageous killing of the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and MASSOB in cold blood in the early hours of Monday, 30th May 2016 and then in the afternoon of same day.

    “The two organiations are sworn believers in non-violence. They say, and we believe them that they were totally unarmed at the times of the onslaughts. Consequently, Ohanaeze calls on the Anambra State Government to immediately set up an investigative panel to get the full record of what occurred.

    “The Federal Government also should set up its own inquiry to give the world the true picture. This is necessary so that justice is seen to be done.”

    The organisation condoled with the families of the victims and prayed that the sad development would not happen again in Igboland.

    In Abia state, four members of pro-Biafra groups arrested by the police in Umuahia, the state capital, during Monday’s rally are to be prosecuted.

    Police spokesman Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu said the pro-Biafra members had been transferred to the Zone 9 Police Headquarters in Umuahia before being charged to court after conclusion of investigation.

    Security has been tightened in the state. It was noticed that the uniformed and plain-clothed policemen had been deployed in various locations within Aba.

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday lambasted Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase over his directive that members of IPOB should be disarmed.

    The IPOB said since it came into existence that its members never carried arms and are non violent, their approach for the actualization of Biafra.

    The IPOB statement was signed by its spokes men Mr. Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya.

    It said: “The IGP is alleging that IPOB members were armed and that we undertook premeditated attacks on Police Officers.

    The group challenged Arase to provide any proof that Biafrans attacked police personnel and asked at what point in time did this so-called “resurgence disorder” come into existence?

  • Don’t kill Igbo vigilante initiative, groups warn Ohanaeze

    Don’t kill Igbo vigilante initiative, groups warn Ohanaeze

    Groups like Igbo Aborigines, Igbo Renaissance Movement, Ndi Abia in Diaspora, Igbos in the North, and Ukwa Ngwa Democratic Alliance, among others, have expressed disappointment over Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s alleged condemnation of the setting up of Igbo Vigilante Group (IVG).

    It would be recalled that the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Ohanaeze Youth Council [OYC], in a recent statement said it has set up an Igbo Vigilante Group (IVG) to take care of security issues in the zone.

    The statement said the group set up IVG to protect Ndigbo in all seven Igbo-speaking states against attacks by the killer Fulani herdsmen.

    But reports said the statement did not go down well with the Ohanaeze parent body, a development that made the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Enwo Igariwey, and the Secretary, Chief Joe Nworgu, to deny the youth wing, saying the body was not consulted before setting up the IVG.

    In their separate reactions, the various Igbo groups in Nigeria and abroad said the youth wing of Ohanaeze deserves commendation, not condemnation.

    The groups also warned Ohanaeze “not to torpedo this well- informed move to protect Ndigbo,” stating that “if the IVG is not allowed to stand as a guard for the seven Igbo speaking states, it means that we are on our own”.

    They noted that the IVG is the most proactive step the Ohanaeze Youth Council has taken since its formation and urged the people of the zone to support the IVG and give them the necessary information to operate.

  • Arewa/Ohanaeze parley

    An event of immense significance for the overall progress of this country took place last week in Enugu, Enugu State. It was a landmark parley between two of the nation’s key socio-cultural groups- the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    Though that outing lacked the usual media blitz that should ordinarily accompany it, its absence did not in any way, whittle down its larger heuristics especially at this point  when ethnic, primordial and religious cleavages seem to be on high ascendancy. Given the foreboding scenario, it remains largely curious why such an important event attracted very little or no media attention.

    It is either the organizers opted to keep the media off that symbolic outing or the media did not quite appreciate the larger implications of socio-political groups interfacing on how to move the country forward especially in view of our current experiences.

    Be that as it may, the meeting came out successful as its outcome, made available through a communiqué signed by the national chairman of ACF, Alhaji Ibrahim Coommasie and national president of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey respectively, vividly indicates. The two groups while reaffirming their belief in the corporate existence of Nigeria with justice, fairness and equity to all, pledged their total support for the war against terrorism and corruption even as they urged all citizens to cooperate with the federal government in these areas. They also resolved to meet regularly to discuss the state of the nation and forward their decisions to the federal government to aid good and equitable governance.

    The meeting is symbolic in more ways than one. Perhaps, it is the first time in recent times the ACF and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo will be putting heads together to share each others’ views and feelings on the multifarious problems buffeting the country. For another, most of the objectives they set out to achieve are at the root of the cycle of instability which this nation has had to contend with since independence. Coming from the ethnic nationalities themselves, the initiative gives a rare of hope that there may be light at the end of the tunnel. This should be something to cheer.

    Yet for another, the visionary outing came at a time centrifugal forces have been on top gear such that led two former heads of state to lament that even those who have before now, been ascribed the role of patriots were beginning to question the continued basis for the unity and indivisibility of the country.

    That was about two years back when the resort to parochial and primordial attachments became the order of the day. That was at the time when a study group in the United States of America (US) predicated that Nigeria would break up come the 2015 elections. Events prior to that election did not help matters as threats and counter threat from groups on the dire consequences that awaited the country should any of the contending forces fail to win that election held sway. By divine providence however, that doomsday prediction failed to materialize due to the acceptance of defeat by the government in power- a feat that attracted acclaim from world leaders.

    But not much has changed in terms of the dispositions and loyalty of the various nationalities to the Nigerian state. Not only is the war against the Boko Haram insurgency that is bent on levying an Islamic state on the country still on, separatist tendencies still hold sway as evident from the rise in tempo of agitations for the sovereign state of Biafra and the renewed blowing up of oil installations in the Niger Delta region. There is also, a pervading air of mutual suspicion, hate and distrust among the nationalities.

    All these are palpable signs of the impatience and dissatisfaction of the federating units with the capacity of the system to do justice to the subsisting units. Matters are not remedied by the ambivalence of the Buhari regime on the implementation of the report of the National Constitutional Conference convened during the last administration- a conference seen by many as holding the ace for much of the nation’s problems.

    In the absence of any concrete commitment to the implementation of that report and increased impatience of the inclusive units with extant structure of the federation leading to separatist agitations or threats, the bottom up initiative of the ACF and Ohanaeze to solving the fission within the polity, offers another veritable window.

    They hit the kernel of the sources of this schism when they spoke of their commitment to the corporate existence of Nigeria where justice, fairness and equity will reign supreme. The purport of this resolution is that the country can only count on the loyalty of its citizens and make real progress when it is seen to be just, fair and guarantees equity to all citizens. These are the irreducible decimals the component units demand from those who preside over our national affairs.

    It is also an admission that much of the destabilizing tendencies we have witnessed in recent times derive in the main, from the glaring inability of the central government to guarantee these minimum conditions for co-habitation. It is heart-warming that the groups resolved to meet regularly to brainstorm on the state of the nation and pass their recommendation to the government to aid good and equitable governance.

    In this wise, they intend to expand the meeting to involve the Afenifere, the Itsekiri, Urhobo, South-South Peoples’ Assembly and all ethnic nationalities to find common ground on all issues stoking division amongst them. It is their calculation that consensus reached at such meetings when implemented by the government, would go at length to eliminate sources of friction and mistrust among our diverse peoples.

    If conducted with a high sense of patriotism and responsibility, the enlarged meeting of ethnic nationalities may be the elixir out of the fissiparous tendencies that have made national integration very elusive on these shores. Not surprisingly, in the absence of that sense of common belonging and identity, the primordial units have had to compete with the government for the loyalty of the citizens. Today, despite all posturing and pretensions, the influence of these parochial loyalty centres on the citizens is still very pervasive.

    They subsist due to lack of confidence in the ability and capacity of the central authority to guarantee justice, fairness and equity to the component units. A situation where certain sections feel the country belongs to them or where certain positions are reserved for some people is a negation of a just, fair and equitable order.

    Such a system cannot make for stability and progress. And in it can be located most of the nation’s multifarious problems- the pervading corruption, centrifugal tendencies and the inability to imbue a sense of nationalism in all. That also accounts for the loose moral bearing associated with affairs that impinge on the civic public.

    Incidentally, the elite have a penchant for parroting and grandstanding on these pristine principles. They are not lacking in identifying what needed to be done for us to make quick progress. But when it comes to the necessary sacrifice or compromises that will bring these ideals to fruition, parochial considerations and the tendency take undue advantage over others, overshadow all senses of rationality. That has been the problem.

    If the ethnic nationalities eschew this self-serving predilection; if they are genuinely committed to these irreducible decimals for order and good governance, and the government listens to them, then we are on the right track out of our woes. We now have a new window to tap the feelings of the people at the bottom to effect those necessary changes that are direly needed to build a nation where citizens will first see themselves as Nigerians rather than members of their ethnic groups. That challenge must be taken up by the government now.

  • MASSOB: Ohanaeze betrayed Biafra’s cause

    The leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has accused the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) of sabotaging Biafra’s cause.

    Reports allege that OYC does not want an independent nation and would rather remain in a united Nigeria.

    But MASSOB yesterday accused the OYC of turning history on its head by asserting that the forefathers of Ndigbo fought for Nigeria’s independence and so would not leave the country.

    National Director of Information Sunny Okereafor in a statement described OYC as a misguided organisation which has decided to close its eyes to the years of marginalisation of Ndigbo, including the treatment of its people as second class citizens in a country where they are major stakeholders.

    Okereafor said MASSOB had uncovered plans by the Federal Government and the enemies of Ndigbo to sponsor some Igbo youths to protest against Biafra, stressing that with the activities of OYC, it had no doubt that the group is up for mischief with the manner it has castigated the Biafra struggle.

    The statement reads: “MASSOB is worried by the activities of this group, which calls itself Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide, led by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro. We have continued to watch with dismay how a purported Igbo group could lend itself as a willing tool against the interest of Ndigbo.

    “What does the Ohanaeze youth Council seek to achieve by its suspicious visit to Northern monarchs and politicians? How many times have they spoken against the killing of pro-Biafra agitators, the non-appointment of Ndigbo to higher political offices, and the branding of Ndigbo as second class citizens?

    “Had it occurred to Isiguzoro and his group that Ndigbo have the worst network of roads in the country and yet, has received the smallest allocation for road projects in the annual budgets? How many times have they spoken against this evil practice?

    “Of what profit will it be to Ohanaeze Youth Council and their sponsor to use the Biafran struggle as an item of trade? How many Northern leaders have spoken against the marginalisation of Ndigbo in Nigeria?

    “If the group likes, it can visit all the traditional rulers, religious leaders and politicians in the north, but MASSOB warns that such effort would be futile as Ohanaeze Ndigbo does not have the mandate to embark on such visits. Ohanaeze Youth Council should retrace her steps or face the wrath of Ndigbo.

    “For allowing itself to be used against the interest of Ndigbo, Ohanaeze should cover its face in shame. This is a grave form of betrayal of the people.”

    Okereafor, who urged the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Bifara (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, reminded Ohanaeze that it lacked the power to stop Igbo youths from protesting the injustice meted out to Ndigbo. He reiterated MASSOB’s determination to continue the struggle for the actualisation of an independent state of Biafra.

    He also warned Northern leaders to stop listening to groups whose stock in trade is to use the Biafran struggle to fend for themselves at the detriment of the suffering people of the zone.

  • ACF, Ohanaeze back Buhari’s corruption war

    ACF, Ohanaeze back Buhari’s corruption war

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has backed President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption.

    A statement at the end of its joint meeting at Enugu at the weekend, signed by ACF’s National Publicity Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim and Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, said the fight against corruption is a fight that must be sustained.

    The statement reads: “We support the Federal Government’s war on corruption, which must be sustained and call on Nigerians to support this fight.

    “We wholly support the war against the insurgency in the Northeast and praise the effort of our soldiers at the frontline and the encouragement from the Federal Government.”

  • Ohanaeze leadership crisis ends

    Ohanaeze leadership crisis ends

    The leadership crisis rocking the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has ended after the factional leaders Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and Dr. Ralph Obioha were reconciled by Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    The reconciliation happened on Monday after a meeting at the Government House in Owerri, which was presided over by governor Okorocha. Obioha accepted to drop his claim to the office of the President-General and work with Igariwey.

    It was also agreed that Igariwey’s tenure be extended by one year, after which a fresh election would be conducted.

    Suspended members were recalled and it was agreed that court cases occasioned by the dispute would be withdrawn.

    Thereafter, a 17-member committee, chaired by Obioha, to see to the implementation of the agreements was set up. The five states in the Southeast will each produce a member.

    Governor Okorocha expressed joy that the Ohanaeze family is back as one saying, “there is now peace in Ohanaeze. The Ohanaeze with Chief Igariwey as President-General is the umbrella body to champion the course of the Igbo. Today, we have proven to the world that Ndigbo are their brothers’ keepers.

    “The President-General will soon address the Igbo nation; all Igbo must join hands with the leadership to move the Igbo nation forward. With this peace, we will see a new kind of support for Ohanaeze. The world will hear about the Igbo nation; the jinx has been broken.

    “With this peace, we will emphasize on the economy of the Southeast rather than politics.  We shall make it, with God on our side. Old things have passed away and behold, new things are taking place. And I want to praise my brothers and sisters for this. This is a new Ohanaeze that will move the Igbo nation forward.”

    Chief Igariwe and Obioha, in their respective speeches noted that achieving peace in the leadership of Ohanaeze and reconciling the factions should be celebrated by all Igbo because according to them, “the division had never augured well with the body and the interest of the Igbo in general”.

    They lauded Governor Okorocha for ensuring that peace and unity returned to the group and promised not to let the Igbo down. They said Ohanaeze would now be occupied with issues that would boost the economy of Igbo land.

  • Ohanaeze youths to Buhari: revamp Enugu coal mine

    Ohanaeze youths to Buhari: revamp Enugu coal mine

    The youth wing of the apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has  urged President Muhammadu Buhari to revive the Enugu coal mine, which has been comatose for over four decades.

    The youths also urged the President to rely on Federal Character in his subsequent appointments.

    They equally condemned Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha for reportedly saying that “Igbos are the cause of their exclusion in recent appointments made by the President in a recent interview.”

    The remark was contained in a statement jointly signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the president and the secretary, respectively, after a meeting between the national executives of the group and  members of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the organization. The meeting was centered on the need to foster  the wellbeing of the Igbos in the state.

    “We call on President Buhari to work towards fulfilling his electoral promises to Ndigbo especially the revamping of Enugu Coal Mine which has remained moribund for 43 years now. We are not happy with the interview credited to Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Instead of castigating the Igbos, he should use his position in the party to make the President  to make use of Federal Character in his appointments.

    Speaking, the Akwa Ibom chapter president, Mazi Emmanuel Ikechukwu-Jonathan, appealed to the Department of the State Services(DSS), to “release the report of its finding on the recent invasion of Akwa Ibom Government House by its operatives to calm the nerves of both indigenes and non-indigenes in the state.

    “The silence of the DSS after the raid is enough to put fears on those who want to invest in the state or currently doing business in the state. We are making this appeal because of our people who have invested heavily in the economy of this state as we don’t want anything that will create civil unrest because it is our people who will suffer most.

    “You know that any part of this country where there is civil unrest, it is the Igbos who usually suffer the damages because they are the highest in number in terms of the non-indigenes you will find in any state outside the South East. Currently the APC and the PDP are trading blames and you don’t know what may come out of such actions.

    The group sympathised with the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over the accident he was involved in on his way to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to board an international flight.

    “We wish our in-law quick recovery from the injuries he sustained from that accident and pray God to continue to protect him in all his endeavours,” the group said.

     

  • PDP governors, Ohanaeze back Deputy Senate President

    PDP governors, Ohanaeze back Deputy Senate President

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have warned against “the intimidation and harassment” of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu by the police allegedly on the orders of the Federal Government.

    The governors expressed their position in a statement by forum chairman, Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    The governors also declared support for the PDP’s criticism of the appointment of the acting Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari.

    Also yesterday, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo vowed to resist any attempt to harass Ekweremadu. The organisation also pledged to defend the senator over his election as the Deputy Senate President.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretary-General Dr. Joe Nwaorgu said:  ”We are watching closely what is happening at the national level and we want to let the world know that we are solidly behind our son, Ekweremadu.”