By Douglas Okoro
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an apex Igbo social-cultural organisation says the body is against violent agitation in any form because the group believes in the continued corporate existence of the country.
The group stated this at a news conference on Monday in Abakaliki as part of activities marking the 62 anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule and the 26 anniversary of the creation of Ebonyi State in Nigeria.
The body which spoke through Dr Peter Mbam, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ebonyi chapter, however, noted that the body was against all forms of marginalisation, including social injustice and misgovernance.
He said that Ohanaeze as a social-cultural body representing the interest of the Igbo race both within and in the Diaspora, had the responsibility to protect the Igbo citizens in every part of the world.
He said: “As the name implies, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is responsible for the protection of Ndigbo Worldwide. There’s no part of the world where you will not find an Igbo man or Igbo people.
“In Nigeria, Ohanaeze supports all agitations that support the interest of Ndigbo and any other marginalised group.
“We work with governments at all levels; the federal, state and local governments to ensure that the citizens get what they expect from the leadership of the country.
“We want to make sure that their religious, economic and political interests are secured.
“We are advocates for lawful approach in solving critical national problems; we believe in diplomacy and round table approach and do not support Ndigbo to leave Nigeria.
“We still want to be in Nigeria. We want a restructured Nigeria where social justice, fairness, equity and equality will reign supreme and we want a Nigeria where we will be treated not as second-class citizens.” (NAN /vitalnewsngr.com)
