Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo demanded the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Ohanaeze made the demand in Enugu on Thursday, declaring that the entire Igbos were in jail not just the IPOB leader.
Kanu is currently in Sokoto prison following his conviction for treason.
Speaking during Ohanaeze Imeobi and General Assembly at the Ohanaeze National Secretariat in Enugu, the President General, Chief Senator John Azuta-Mbata said the government should not be deceived by those going around promising Igbo votes, stressing that Nnamdi Kanu should be freed first before anyone would talk about votes.
“I have told the government that Nnamdi Kanu that is in jail, it is the entire igboland that is there. There’s no igbo man that is happy that Kanu is in incarceration.
“Let our people stop deceiving the federal government.
“We’re calling on the government of Tinubu to release Kanu. This is the minimal demand of ndi Igbo.
“Additional state creation is a welcome development. We’re happy that is receiving attention,” he emphasized.
Mbata also condemned the stereotyping of the Igbo people.
He, however, urged Ndigbo “to be law-abiding and to be sensitive to the sensibilities of their host communities wherever they may find themselves.
“The diaspora people, your representation matters. Let us, let your actions reflect the values we hold dear in Igbo land.
“It is wrong for Igbo to go to other people’s homes and behave as if there are no core values that our people prioritise. It is what you have gained from home that you take outside.
“We do not expect our people to go to various parts of the world and become lawless and begin to carry out all kinds of traditional practises that are not acceptable at home.”
The Ohanaeze PG also harped on the importance of Igbo language and culture, stressing that it was the fabric that binds Ndigbo together.
“Let us promote it in our homes, in our schools, in our communities.
“Our language is our identity. Let us preserve it for prosperity. As you all know, the UNESCO published a report not too long ago that Igbo language is endangered and that Igbo language is declining.”
He declared that Ohanaeze had risen to the occasion by endowing Professorial chairs of Igbo language and culture at four universities.
“We will do more. We are going to award scholarships for study of Igbo language in universities.
“On our website, we are trying to start schools so that those of our people that are in diaspora, their children can study Igbo language online on our website,” he further stated.
He charged Igbo politicians to be bold, visionary, and accountable to the people, stressing that the people were watching, and that history and prosperity would judge them by their actions.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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