Ohanaeze Youths begins peace/unity tour of northern Nigeria

A powerful delegation of Ohanaeze Youth Council has commenced a tour of Northern Nigeria with the aim of promoting peace and inter-ethnic cum inter-religious understanding among the peoples.

OYC team with Sultan of Sokoto

A powerful delegation of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council [OYC] has commenced a tour of Northern Nigeria with the aim of promoting peace and inter-ethnic cum inter-religious understanding among the peoples of Nigeria.

The delegation started the tour with a visit to the Sultan of Sokoto His Eminence Alhaji Saad Abubakar in his palace at Sokoto. The visit took place on Wednesday, 3rd February, 2016.

Among the delegation was also some leaders of the pro-Biafra agitators who used the opportunity to request the Sultan to interface with other Nigerian leaders to effect the release of the Radio Biafran Director Nnamdi Kanu. 

The Ohanaeze Youth leaders called for Dialogue as the only means to address the grievances of the pro Biafran agitators and not force or violence. 

They assured their determination to ensure that the raging protests in the East and South South is brought to a control with a view to paving way for Dialogue and called on the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu.

In his reaction the Sultan expressed his happiness that the leaders of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council and even the pro-Biafran agitators felt it necessary to visit key Nigerian leaders in search of peace and unity of the country. 

He noted that poverty and unemployment are the root cause of the agitations; a situation he said also ravages the North.

The Sultan advised the Youth leaders and the pro-Biafran agitators to also inquire what their political leaders have been doing with the monies that accrue to their zone since the return of democracy in 1999. 

He noted that Igbos have occupied virtually all notable positions in Nigeria since 1999 and wondered why that has not translated to the dividends of democracy till date.

The Sultan noted that Nnamdi Kanu’s case was subjudice but as fathers of the nation he and other key leaders in the country will see what can be done to address the issue. 

He believed that if the poverty in the land is addressed by the government and justice ensured everywhere, these agitations would end.

The sultan recalled with nostalgia his fruitful stay in Igbo land during his formative years in the Army  and noted that Igbos are very industrious and peaceful people and he would like them to maintain that stand. 

He promised to take the group to the Emir of Kano and Shehu of Borno to widen the consultation.

Among the leaders of the delegation included the President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary -General Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the Pioneer Secretary-General of the body and Chancellor of Igbo Information Network and African Reparation Movement Hon Chuks Ibegbu, Barr Chika Nzelu, Dr Kingsley Chiedozie, Chief Alex Okemiri, Comrade Obinna Achionye and other key leaders of the group.

The Ezeigbo Sokoto state, Chief Gbahara was also at the Sultan Palace to receive the delegation. The photograph of the event is shown below.

Chukwudi Ibegbu

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