Igbo youths under the aegis of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide- Youth Wing has passed a vote of confidence on the Chief Engr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu-led National Executive Committee (NEC).
The vote of confidence was in response to recent statement by former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where in an interview, he said it was disheartening and unpatriotic that despite the challenges facing the country, it was ‘who owns Lagos’ that some people were preoccupied with.
George had queried why the Igbos couldn’t focus on developing their own states instead of Lagos, asking ‘what stops Iwuanyanwu from developing the Igbo land instead of developing Lagos?’
But in a statement, on behalf of the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, its National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Chika Art Adiele, said in recognition of the unprecedented commitment and boldness, demonstrated by the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide ably led by Chief Engr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the IGBO Youths are solidly behind him and his visionary moves to secure a better bargain for Ndigbo across the country.
According to him, over the past few months, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has actively taken up responsibilities and challenges for the restoration of Peace, stability and development of Ndigbo, both at home and outside Ala-Igbo.
The statement reads in part, “Our attention has been drawn to the aggressive and misguided statements of Olabode George over the genuine call by a great Leader- Chief Engr. E.C Iwuanyanwu for lasting National Healing and Unity.
“Indeed, his limited and myopic points of view on the historic matters, simply shows his sheer incomprehensibility over such a Clarion call.
“Other than divisive utterances, the biased Statesman could not recognise nor understand all the salient points sincerely meant to foster Unity and Development for a livable and prosperous Nigerian State, void of envy and acrimony.”
According to Igbo youths, George failed to appraise the loud call for other Nigerians to see Nigeria as a collective project for Development, neither did he consider the current economic challenges which have prevailed for almost a decade now.
“We therefore admonished Olabode George to revisit and study the statement by Chief Iwuanyanwu, for his better comprehension and understanding of the need for all Nigerians to be their brothers’ keeper, irrespective of tribe,” they said.
The statement further described the demolition of houses in Lagos as very worrisome, especially in the wake of the economic hardship in the country.
“Like the renowned Igbo Leader clearly pointed out, we do not support any form of misconduct where anybody, irrespective of tribe, would proceed to develop a property without approval.
“On the other hand, we condemn in strongest terms, the undue demolition of property, belonging to Igbos and other Nigerians, that did not violate any legislation or local building regulations guiding development in Lagos, FCT and other parts of Nigeria.
“We commend the Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, for the laudable initiative of the “Ohanaeze Relief Agency”, which is meant to provide succour for those patriotic Nigerians, especially NDIGBO, whose livelihood are affected and thrown into distress.
“In conclusion, we urge all well meaning Nigerians to rise against injustices and unwarranted hatred for one another, in as much as we admonish every citizen, especially the Igbos, to be law abiding by consciously promoting peace and rule of law anywhere they found themselves,” the statement concluded.
