Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and other prominent Igbo leaders
yesterday rose from a three- day World Summit and
declared categorically that Biafran agitators constitute no
threat to national security.
In a 10-point communiqué presented at Igbo Renaissance
Centre, Gregory University, Uturu in Abia State, and signed
by Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Col. Joe
Achuzie, Dr. Greg Ibeh, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu , Prof.
George Obiozor and two others, the Igbo leaders said Igbo
people have made the biggest sacrifice and contribution to
the building of modern Nigeria.
The Igbo leaders called on the Federal Government to
promptly release Nnamdi Kanu and other prisoners of
conscience in line with the rule of law.
They insisted that henceforth, the Igbo will work for a
nation where they are allowed to live and operate as equal
citizens without discrimination or intimidation.
While calling for a regional autonomy, the Igbo leaders
demanded the repealing of the 1999 Constitution and
enacting of a new one that will recognise the inalienable
right of each constituent group to self- determination and
regional autonomy as enshrined in the 1960 Independence
and 1963 Republican Constitutions.
The summit described the herdsmen’ menace as “present
and imminent danger to peace and security in Igboland” and
called on Igbo governors and state Assemblies to
immediately legislate against any form of grazing in
Igboland.
The summit also resolved that henceforth, Igbo political
leadership, both elected and appointed must act in the best
interest of Ndigbo and be prepared to be held accountable
by the people for all their actions and inactions.
Earlier, during the opening of the World Igbo Summit, the
Director General, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna said the summit was
organised to bring together great minds of Igbo land from
across the globe to dialogue and present a strategic
roadmap for growth and development going forward to
herald the 50-year visioning project for the Igbo nation.
Prof George Obiozor, in a remark noted: “Over 40 years of
mourning in the Nigerian wilderness is over. We must stop
begging to belong to Nigeria, a country our leaders and our
people built. Let us learn from the lessons of history that
those neglected cannot and should not neglect themselves.”
General Ike Nwachukwu (retd) in his comment said Ndigbo
can no longer accept any form of subjugation or becoming
a footstool for anybody or region.
Other prominent Igbo that attended the summit included Obi
of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof
Ephipany Azinge, Joe Irukwu , Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Iyom
Josephine Anenih among others.