Archbishop Chukwuma proffers solution to Biafran agitation

The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Rev (Dr) Emmanuel Chukwuma, has expressed optimism that redressing the socio infrastructural imbalance of federal facilities, which he claimed is presently lopsided against the South East zone of the country, will bring an end to the agitation for an Independent State of Biafra.
The Anglican Cleric further appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to order for an unconditional release of Mr Nnamdi Kanu, the Director of Radio Biafra who is being detained under DSS custody for more than three months.

Archbishop Chukwuma, in his recent chat with newsmen in Enugu, attributed the recent agitation for an Independent State of Biafra by some Igbo youths under the aegis of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), to frustration and massive youth un¬employment ravaging the South East zone of the country.

He called on President Buhari to revitalise the ailing or neglected federal industries such as the Enugu Coal mines, as a means of creating employment opportunities for the restless unemployed youths.

Chukwuma stated that, “Inasmuch as President Buhari has appointed some of our people as ministers, we want to say that it does not translate to empowerment of ordinary Igbo youths. “Therefore, we are appealing for enough federal presence in Igbo land. It amounts to sentiments to say that the Igbos did not vote for President Muhammadu Buhari. I know very well that Governor Rochas Okorocha, Senator Chris Ngige, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, who are now ministers and many other prominent Igbo men mobilised support for President Buhari’s election across the South East zone.”

He however added that, “the Biafra agitation is misguided. The Federal Government should not see it as a rebellion. We are praying for the nation’s unity. All that we are crying out for is equity and enough federal presence in the zone. Our youths who are agitating for Biafra now did not witness the war.”
Speaking on the continued detention of Mr Nnamdi Kanu, the Radio Biafra Director and IPOB leader at DSS cell in Abuja, Archbishop Chukwuma advised the Federal Government to obey the court order which permitted some bail conditions for the IPOB leader.

“We plead that Mr Nnamdi Kanu should be released unconditionally. The felony he is accused of does not stand. He has not imported arms. Therefore, we are pleading with the Federal Government to release him as the court has directed. The Federal Government should use the talent he (Kanu) has to develop the country, instead of suppressing it.”
He assured that when Mr Kanu is eventually released, they would call him to order.
His words, “We are ready to retrain him. We are ready to redirect him. The Federal Government can tap from his knowledge in developing the media industry in the country and provide employment for the people.”
He mentioned that what is most vital for the people of the South East zone at the moment are improved and reliable energy sources from Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) so that the private sector-driven initiatives that abound in the zone can operate at very high capacities, mechanised farming, establishment of industries, good road networks, etc which will facilitate cre¬ation of gainful employment opportunities for the youths, and at the long run ending the agitation for Biafra.
He pleaded with President Buhari to temper justice with mercy on some Igbo youths who agitated for an Independent State of Biafra, stating that it was out of frustration, misguidance and aftermath of deceit on the hands of politicians, who used and dumped them.
According to Chukwuma, a lot of Igbo men have their investments spread across several nooks and crannies of the country, who are never in support of the Biafra agitation. He stressed that unity and peaceful co-existence of the country is more paramount to most Igbo leaders than secession.
He said the Igbos are very supportive of the present anti-corruption agenda of the Federal Government led by President Buhari.
“The people who have stolen our money should bring them back,” he stated.