Igbo group tasks Lagos state government on quelling the disunity fueled by indigene against Igbo dwellers in the state
By Onome Naomi
The Ndigbo Buru’Otu Association of Nigeria, an Igbo socio-cultural and business-oriented organization, converged to address the press over the accusations and intimidation leveraged against the Igbo dwellers in Lagos State. Tasks Lagos state government on a redress to quel disunity fueled by the state’s indigenous people.
Eze Dr. Chika Nwokedi, Eze Okpoko 1, founder of the Ndigbo Buru’Otu Association of Nigeria, expressed in his statements concerns over the disunity amongst tribes in Lagos State. He narrated instances of events in recent times, especially during demonstrations that had portrayed the Igbos in a bad light before the public.
In his statements, he said:
” I am making this press statement as a result of the situation I witnessed during the security meeting attended by traditional leaders and stakeholders of Alimosho local government held at the Idimu police division and other instances where threat filled utterances and some unlikely actions is targeted at the igbos.”
“During the meeting, different Yoruba leaders gave opinions insinuating that Igbos have plans to bomb and destroy lagos if their peace is threatened and I stood to correct their notion.”
” Last year, before the general elections, many indigens said that the Igbos want to take over Lagos and destroy the state.Then I began to wonder why the Igbos will want to destroy a state they have established investments in.”
” The situation arising from disunity is very disturbing to me, we should be talking peace not war. They have pushed Igbos to the limit yet we do not want war with our landlords. The Igbos will never claim to own Lagos as we are respectable persons who have established businesses and homes as dwellers. ”
” We should unite and not be treated with segregation, the igbos are tagged with all manner of unprintable names showing discord and hate. Igbos as seen is not part of the protest #endbadgovernance, yet there were threats from the indigenous people of Lagos state via public address by some persons on a van noting that any Igbo who participates in the protest will have his or her businesses burnt down. Note, that this threat was exacted on only the Igbos excluding other tribes.”
” No Igbo person likes to cause chaos, we are peaceful people who believes in doing businesses and develop our surroundings, there are some non- indigenous people in our terrain back in the east especially the Yoruba tribe but we are in peaceful coexistence with them.
” I am urging Yoruba leaders ( oba and baale) to desist from sowing seed of discord amongst tribes especially the Igbos to avoid occurrences that might further foster disunity. We should be at peace and disallow disunity amongst us for we are one in flesh and blood.”
“If we go to a blood bank as donators to save a life, the doctor in charge does not ask for your tribe but carries out a screening test to make it useable by a patient, why then do we see ourselves as enemies when the colour of our blood is same.”
” The election has come and gone and Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now our president, our main focus should be to pray for his successful administration. As a philanthropist, I also urge other well-to-do Nigerians to assist the less privileged that the current hardship has affected deeply. Mr. President should in his capacity proffer solutions over the plight of suffering Nigerians to quel the demonstration.”
Chief Ifeanyi Iguegbe, the secretary of the association, stated that the stigmatism targeted at the Igbos is a case-sensitive issue as it involves threats and shows of hate, discord, and unsafety. He said in a WhatsApp message that was passed around the internet, a certain anonymous speaker noted that the Igbos must all leave Lagos by August 20 or another protest will ensue to send them packing. Note that the Igbos have contributed immensely to the growth and development of Lagos State; our accommodators should understand that we are one. The threats and hate speeches should be seize; Nigerians can reside anywhere in the country, he added.
Rev. Dr. Moses CC Okwuosa, the second vice president of the Ndigbo Buru’Otu Association of Nigeria, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the arms of government for working assiduously to better Nigeria. He said Igbos are also residents of Lagos and will do everything humanly possible to protect their interests and the interests of the Lagos state government; hence, unity should be ensured, especially by religious leaders. The government is tasked with ensuring good roads and uninterrupted electricity with lesser tariffs to promote growth and development, not create a hullabaloo about the existence of Igbos in the state.
Read Also:Nationwide Protest: Lagos Speaker, Agege Leaders Meet Residents
Lastly, the convener of the conference, Eze Chika Nwokedi, advises Igbo dwellers in Lagos to desist from being boastful about wealth and achievements and avoid careless utterances that could fuel hate from indigens of the state. The main focus for Igbos should be their businesses as well as maintaining the laws of the state so as to avoid conflict with the accommodators.
