By Victor Okoye
Abuja, April 5, 2022 A Non-governmental Organization (NGO) known as ‘Igbonnie’ have condemned what it reffered to as the ‘insensitive killings’ in South East Nigeria and also proffer solutions aimed at putting an end to the menace in the region.
Prof. Marcel Ezenwoye, KSJI Director, Diaspora, Igbonnie told newsmen in a press conference in Abuja on Monday that the group was a non-police, cultural and socio-economic Non-governmental Organization focused on Igbo welfare and ‘Onye ahana nwanye’ , adding that the benefits of identifying with the group cannot be overemphasized.
He said that the group was determined to stop what he termed as the ‘second class citizenship’ of the Igbo race in the country and the wastage of the lives of its sons and daughters anywhere in the world wherever Igbos reside, especially the evil practice of the faceless ‘unknown gunmen’ parading the nook and crannies of Igbo land.
“The current trend of killing and kidnapping people using tinted SUVs, especially in Anambra State must be condemned and stopped by perpetrators of such evil acts.
“A trend which was seen during the campaign that midwife the election of Prof. Soludo whose aides and ordealy were unfortunately killed in the process, as well as Prof. Akunyili who was gruesomely murdered on his way back from an award ceremony in Onitsha.
“Since then, the East, particularly around Old Aguata axis where the current Governor of Anambra State hails from – Ekwulobia, Isuofia, Uga, Oko, Nanka down to Npkor, Obosi and so on have known no peace,” he said.
Ezenwoye also recalled its congratulatory message sent to Prof. Soludo, the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, adding that the good works which the governor has already embarked on was highly commendable.
He enjoined the good people of the state to ignore some critics whose goal he said was to distract and divert their attention from the good works which the governor has began to do in the state.
“The clean-up of the Onitsha-Ochanga-Nkpor-Iweka axis as well as the ‘No more Agboro in Anambra State’ campaign embarked upon by the Gov. Soludo to ensure that every tout and their neferious activities were eradicated from the state is highly commendable.
“These touts are jobless youths who collect illegal taxes and are usually used by bad politicians to intimidate their perceived political opponents.
“Taxes collected goes into the pockets of their sponsors and social vices such as vandalism, stealing,
gun runs, kidnapping are all associated with this group (Agboros),” he said.
He also commended the governor for his efforts at restoring peace to the state, abolishing the sit-at-home order by IPOB and fishing out criminal elements and their sponsors, as well as making frantic efforts at ensuring the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
Ezenwoye pledged to help the stakeholders in Igbo land and in diaspora to mobilize the Igbo sons and daughters to join the government of Anambra State to wipe out thuggery, vandalism and sense killings in the state and by extension in the rest of Igbo land maintaining that these killings were alien to the Igbo culture.
“Putting bullets in the head of innocent victims are all foreign cultures, barbaric and very myopic.
“We are therefore calling for a new ‘Igboness’ in terms of character, orientation, behavioral and attitudinal change.
“Igbonnie is ready to provide an enabling platform for the training and re-training of all ‘agboros’ as well as repentant commercial sex workers.
“We seek partnership with all universities, especially those situated in the East to help us provide training environment for these groups.
“For starters, Tansian University, Umunya, Paul University, Akwa and Anambra Polytechnic, Mgbakwu shall be used for the pilot scheme on entrepreneurship since their skill acquisition research and development centres are fully equipped with human resources and facilities.
“Igbonnie has come to bring peace, starting from Anambra State.
“You can visit our website www.igbonine.org.ng, powered by www.ciepuk.org.uk to see more of our programmes and register online,” he said.
The Director also used the opportunity to call on Igbo sons and daughters both at home and in the diaspora to register en masses and be counted ahead of the forthcoming 2023 Presidential election
