Do not discard IPOB youths – Ooni of Ife tell Ikpeazu

Just as governors and stakeholders in the south east has joined the north to condemn the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has expressed his view that the youths that constitute the membership of the groups should not be discarded.

Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi made this expression when he paid a courtesy visit to the Abia state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu in solidarity with the people of Abia and the entire people of Southeast zone following the recent security crisis in the zone, yesterday disapproved the proscription and tagging of IPOB as a terrorist group.

The Ife paramount traditional ruler explained that 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” and faulted the manner in which youths were being discarded and branded terrorists for crying out against injustice in the country.

While noting that youths involved in agitations were justified in asking for justice and equity in Nigeria, he renamed IPOB to mean the Indigenous People of Brighter Nigeria, IPOBN, stating, “There is something that is bordering them that is making them to cry. We should not throw them away. Instead, we should draw them closer. The youths of this country are the future, the energy, and the heart beat of this country”.

The youths, he posited have inherent energies that could be tapped and positively channeled to build a better Nigerian state, advising that “instead of throwing them away they should be drawn closer and their energies channeled positively for a better Nigeria”.

Oba Ogunwusi called for proper re-orientation of the youths in order to make them drop negative tendencies such as hate speeches and call for disintegration of the country.
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The Ooni urged the Yorubas to shared the same view on the way forward for a better and all inclusive Nigeria, invariably calling the attention of the Yorubas to the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that Nigeria should be restructured to ensure equity, justice and fairness
“We must chart the course of doing thing 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”, the Deputy President of the National Council of Traditional Rulers said.

Stating that he is very proud of the youths, the Ooni said he would never throw them away urged Ikpeazu and other Southeast leaders to open the door and bring the youths in to re-orientate them.

Ndigbo and the Yorubas, he said are “spiritually linked and we must work together”, and lauded the people of Southeast zone for their contribution in national development, stating, “Igbo people are truly the life and life line of this country (citing) their can do spirit which I’m very proud of”.

The Ooni, who was also in the state for the new yam festival of the Chairman, South East Traditional Rulers Council, as well as the state Chairman, Abia state Council of Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze Dr. Eberechi Dick expressed his happiness to see that Abia is peaceful contrary to the outside impression that the state was in turmoil, disclosing his support to Governor Ikpeazu for his passion for things that are of positive values, promotion of peace and respect for traditional institutions.

Responding, the Abia state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu expressed his delight to play host to the Ife Monarch, praising him for being in tune with national issues and making positive contributions for national rebirth.

”I am a firm believer that this country is strong today because of its diversity,” he said, adding that the problem confronting Nigeria remains the inability to harness the potentials and weld together the diversities to create a strong, united country.

He assured Oba Ogunwusi that he had no plans throw away the youths involved in agitations, stating that he has put in place a programme for massive employment of youths in order to channel their energies positively.

“We are not going to be tired until we ensure that a good number of our youths are gainfully employed and able to make a decent living,” he said, adding that massive employment programme would curb youth restiveness.
 

Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia