Ohaneze Ndigbo demands unconditional release of Kanu , rejects sale of national assets

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Ohaneze Ndigbo,which is the apex body of all Igbo socio cultural organizations yesterday  advised  the Federal government to think out ways of relaxing the economic recession in the country,arguing that the  proposal to  sale off some  national assets is not the best for the country. The body  described the national assets as  priceless assets, which already stands at the center of our economy and if managed well will give hope and posterity to Nigeria's economy.

The leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo made expressed it's stand on the controversy trailing the proposal during the occasion of the '2016 IGBO DAY' celebration, held at it's  National Secretariat, located at No 7 Parks,Avenue,GRA, Enugu.

In a speech read on behalf of Ohaneze  President General, Professor Gary Enwo Igariwey, by the Deputy President General, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Ohaneze stated,'We believe that selling of national assets, built and developed by previous governments in the country might not be the best way to succeed in an enterprise'.

'We rather think that it might be better if we look inwards to get to the root cause of the recession, and address same rather than disposing our hard earned national assets'.

Ohaneze expressed it belief that most of the national assets currently are not yielding optimal results  due to corrupt attitudes and mismanagement by those  entrusted to manage them, but argued that those national assets are bound to yield positive results when  men of proficiency with full cooperation of Nigerians are entrusted with the management of our national assets.

The Ohaneze Ndigbo also reiterated it's demand  for the release of Mr Nnamdi Kanu,stating they had initially made a passionate appeal to the Federal government to consider granting Mr Nnamdi Kanu, an unconditional release from detention at the last 'IMEOBI' meeting held on November 5,2015 and affirmed that their appeal was communicated to the Federal government.

Ohaneze Ndigbo said they have taken  a critical appraisals of the reasons for Mr Kanu's agitation, [even though without arm or elements of violence],and if they are  addressed properly,the nation will be better of. They restated their appeal for his unconditional release from detention.

'We urge the Federal government to re evaluate the circumstances which made the court of law to earlier grant him bail, and see to which extent it can be useful in putting things straight. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's incarceration till now does not seem palatable, and does not seem to be a positive change'.

Ohaneze Ndigbo lamented the dilapidated state of most federal roads across the South East zone,describing it as worst through out the six zones of the country.

It stated,'Hitherto an hour trip from Enugu to Onitsha now takes five hours due to unbelievable state of both the two wings of the express road and the old trunk A road. It is completely unpalatable to connect any of the South east states from one to another'.

'There is no Geo political zone in this country that has such a sorry state of roads,not just
now but a state of disrepair that is transcending into decades, causing frustrations,loss of lives and properties loss of valuable time and severe economic loss'

On the ravaging menace of Fulani Herdsmen, Ohaneze Ndigbo urged the rural dwellers to rise up to the challenge by raising vigilante groups that will assist them in chasing away the Fulani herds men from their various farm crops and communities if need be. The ugly implication of destruction of farm crops will enthrone scarcity of food crops and famine across Igbo land, since the rural farmers could no longer go to their farms,Ohaneze stated.

They also leaned support for introduction of state police as a measure to assist the various state governors in curtaling internal security threats in their respective states,stating it will no amount to disobedience to the Federal police or a revolution against the federal government.

 The group said the theme of this year's Igbo day celebration 'Ojemba Chetakwa ulo' was carefully repeated so as to entice Igbos to think home and invest in Igbo land,to enhance socio economic development of Igbo land and offer job opportunities for teeming unemployed Igbo youths.

The Enugu state governor,Governor ifeanyi Ugwuanyi,who was represented at the event by the new state commissioner for culture and tourism,Hon Rita Mba appraised the theme of the 2016 Igbo day celebration,which urges Ndigbo to think of investing in Igbo land, stating when prominent Igbo sons and daughters channel some of their investments in the South East zone, it will complement the state governors efforts.

Governor Ugwuanyi also assured that the future events of the annual Igbo day celebration must hold  at the 'late Michael Okpara square. at Independence layout,Enugu, so as to have enough space for mass participation.

Earlier in a chat with the Secretary General of Ohaneze Ndigbo,Dr Joe Nwaogu, he disclosed that the celebration will be low keyed as a reflection of the economic hard times in the country. However, that Igbos living outside Igbo land are free to organize the 2016 Igbo day in their respective states of aboard. 


Dr Nwaogu  stated,'The theme,' OJEMBA CHETAKWA ULO' has been recurring since 2013,2014,2015 because of the weight-edge placed on it at  the flagship of this administration's tenure. Emphasis is that the Igbos must think home and repatriate thier capital through re investment in igbo land'