The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, yesterday renamed the
proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as Indigenous People of
Brighter Nigeria (IPOBN), saying the youths that constitute the
membership of the group should not be discarded.
Expressing disappointment with the proscription and tagging of IPOB
as a terrorist group, Ogunwusi said denouncing a people agitating over
their right was not the hallmark of democracy.
He stated this yesterday when he visited Abia State Governor Okezie
Ikpeazu to show solidarity with the people of the state and the entire
people of Southeast over the recent security crisis that claimed many
lives and property.
The traditional ruler said he was in Abia “to continue the oneness we
preach concerning the unity of this country and to continue to build
bridges across the entire country.”
He faulted the manner youths were being discarded and branded
terrorists for crying out against injustice in the land, noting that the
youths who were involved in agitations were justified in asking for
justice and equity in Nigeria.
“There is something that is bothering them that is making them to
cry. We should not throw them away; we should draw them closer (because)
the youths of this country are the future, the energy. They are the
heart beat of this country,” he stated.”
According to him, the youths have inherent energies that could be
tapped and positively channeled to build a batter Nigerian state; hence
he called for proper re-orientation of the youths to make them drop
negative tendencies, such as hate speeches and call for disintegration
of the country.
Allying with the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that Nigeria should be
restructured to ensure equity, justice and fairness, the Ooni said the
Yoruba race shared the same view on the way forward for a better and
all-inclusive Nigeria.
“We must chart the course of doing things with positive energy. I
want to let you know that you are not alone in this; we stand by you
positively in a very progressive manner. We stand by you that we all
must come together to build a united Nigeria. We don’t want any war; we don’t want any disintegration,” he added.
Ogunwusi, who is also the deputy president of the National Council of
Traditional Rulers, said he is very proud of the youths and would
never throw them away and urged Ikpeazu and other Southeast leaders to
open the door and bring the youths in and re-orientate them
He lauded the people of Southeast for their contribution in national
development, saying Igbo people are truly the life and life line of this
country, citing their can do spirit, which he said he is very proud of.
According to him, the Igbo and Yoruba are “spiritually linked; hence we must work together.”
Ikpeazu, in his response, said that he was honoured and privileged to
play host to the monarch, who he commended for being in tune with
national issues and making positive contributions for national rebirth.
The governor assured the Oba that he would not throw away the youths
involved in agitations, saying he has put in place a programme for
massive employment of youths to channel their energies positively.
Source Guardian Newspaper.
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