Anioma state creation most unifying option for now – Ohanaeze youths

 Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide has thrown its weight behind the creation of Anioma State to complement the existing five States in South East.

The Ag. National Youth Leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu in a world press conference on Thursday said the decision followed extensive consultations, deliberations and investigations.

He described the project as most viable, most equitable and most unifying option, noting that a powerful lobby group had been setup to join forces with other like minds to facilitate the actualisation of the additional State.

He said, “The ongoing agitation for an additional State in the Southeast is not only commendable, but also timely and unavoidable, if Nigeria must be seen as a nation that believes in equity.

“We commend the various interest groups and legislators who have made varying recommendations on geographical delineation, name and composition of the proposed Sixth State in the Southeast.

“However, after extensive consultations, deliberations and investigations, we wish to urge every stakeholder who believes in the progress and development of Igbo land, to align themselves with the Anioma State project, as it remains the most viable, most equitable and most unifying option at this time.

“In that regard, we have set up a powerful lobby group to join forces with other like minds, to facilitate the actualisation of this additional State in the Southeast, Anioma, by reaching out to other stakeholders across Nigeria.

“As the apex youth leadership organisation in the entire Igbo land, we shall spare no cost in ensuring the success of this idea, whose time is now.

“We also wish to extend our heartfelt solidarity to our siblings in the diaspora; from across Africa, to the Americas to Jamaica, to everywhere in the world, where there are people of Igbo descent, we assure them of our unalloyed cooperation as they continue to hold the Igbo flag high wherever they may find themselves.”

While reiterating his appeal to Igbo youths to maintain peace and resist attempts by subversive elements to indoctrinate them into violent and destructive actions against the region, the youth leader called on President Bola Tinubu to deploy his constitutional powers towards facilitating the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in tandem with his resolve to completely heal Nigeria of the wounds of the Civil War.

“We have also initiated moves to collaborate with relevant authorities towards securing lasting peace, security and economic stability in the Southeast. We wish to use this medium to reiterate our appeal for speedy review and dispensation of justice to thousands of Igbo youths who are held in various detention facilities across the country as Awaiting Trial Inmates.

“We are collaborating with relevant authorities to secure the freedom of as many of these youths that are innocent, while we also urge His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, in tandem with his resolve to completely Heal Nigeria of the wounds of the Civil War, to deploy his Constitutional powers towards facilitating the release of our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“We commend the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA) ably led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for the all round Strategic and Comprehensive Engagement of every Sector for National Security and enabling Environment for a Stable and Prosperous Nigeria Economy, especially during the Nationwide Protest.

“We Commend the Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for the approval and appointment of the New DGs of both State Security Service and National Intelligence Agency, Adeola Ajayi and Mohammed Mohammed respectively. We hereby congratulate them and express our willingness to work with them in Solidarity and Support for a Peaceful, Stable and Secure Nigerian State.

“We therefore urge the New DG to as a matter of Urgency, review living conditions of Nigerians in their various detention Facilities across Nigeria especially in South East. For the purpose of National Unity and healthy Nigerian Economy, We urge the President to expeditiously direct the restoration and adequate compensation of the Victims of unlawful Demolition of Property and Markets across Nigeria especially in Lagos And Abuja. A higher percentage of the affected victims constitute our People- Ndigbo.”

On the burial arrangements of the former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, late Chief Engr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu slated for November 1, Okpalaezeukwu expressed readiness of the apex Igbo Youth body to accord him the highest honour deserving of his service to the Motherland, through various programs targeted at immortalizing him and sustaining his enviable legacies.

“We have set up a Funeral Planning Committee for the purpose of celebrating his Legacies, especially, in the lives of the Youths. We shall continue to update the public on this, as we progress,” he added.

The Ohanaeze youth boss further disclosed that the group was on a strategic working visit to the Federal Capital Territory, to engage with critical Government and Security Agencies on issues that affect Igbo land in keeping with his vision of a Prosperous, Secure and Livable Homeland.

“We have had a fruitful deliberation with the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Distinguished Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and his Team where we have expressed concerns and emphasized on the need for continuous and unrelenting reforms of the Petroleum Sector with Policies that benefit the ordinary People and improve the overall well-being of Nigeria Economy.

“We acknowledge the challenges inherent in the Removal of Subsidy and the impact of Infrastructural deficiencies in the Sector, and We are very proud of the uncommon achievements recorded so far by the Tinubu led administration ranging from Increase in Crude Oil Production from 1mbpd to 1.7mbpd, Engagement and Enhancement of Investors and Investments respectively, Technology adoption, Infrastructure Development and other critical factors that positively impact the Economy.

“We therefore declare our Solidarity and Support to the genuine efforts and commitment of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and other collaborating agencies and entities especially the NNPCL ably led by Mele Kyari and his Team.

“We advocate for more effective and impactful community and youth engagement and development in ways that shall control restiveness and further address, sabotage, vandalisation and theft in the sector; and we shall continue to engage with the Ministry and participate in their various development activities and programmes in order to maximise impact and serve the purpose.”