Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, demanded the release of Maazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ohanaeze made the demand at this year’s World Igbo Day Celebration held in Awka, the Anambra State capital. The event was themed, “Ndigbo, Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya.”
President-General of the organisation, Senator John Azuta Mbata, in his speech, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release Kanu, saying that doing so would be in the best interest of the entire country.
Mbata, represented by his deputy, Prince Okey Nwadinobi, said Ndigbo totally support a united Nigeria and are interested in a peaceful and progressive one Nigeria where no one would be left behind.
“And one of the messages sent to me by the President-General to convey to this special audience is that we, the leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on behalf of Ndigbo, are saying to the Federal Government of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu to release our son, Maazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“And we are saying that for as long as Nnamdi Kanu remains behind bars, Ndigbo are being kept behind bars.
“Ndigbo will not be asking for too much. We believe and pray that the President of Nigeria will hear this call today and do the right thing; to release Maazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
Mbata said the event was organised to remember millions of Igbo people who were brutally murdered before and during the civil war.
“We have come here today, not in celebration but in commemoration of a day we have set aside in the Ohanaeze calendar; a day that is very significant.
“Today, September 29, we have come together to remember our brothers and sisters, who were brutally murdered on September 29, 1966, in very high numbers.
“We have also come to remember all those who were murdered in similar circumstances before the Nigeria civil war. We have equally come together to remember our brothers and sisters, who, in our defence, paid the supreme sacrifice and died so that we may live.
“In addition, we have also come to commemorate and say thank you God Almighty for our heroes and heroines past; those who laboured and gave us a name as Ndigbo. We remain proud of them; and we are looking forward to new heroes.
“Those that are alive today and doing special things all over Igbo land. We thank you God Almighty and ask you to do more for us; to bring us together,” he prayed.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo backed the call for the IPOB leader’s release, saying that he himself had made such calls in the past.
He asked Ndigbo all over the world to use the opportunity of the event to reflect on their future, advising that the people need to be more strategic with their every move.
“We must realise that our future lies in having a prosperous homeland but also having the latitude to be able to soar across the length and breadth of the earth. We cannot be confined to one tiny geographic boundary.
“Our prosperity, longevity and sustainability lie in our ability to be able to exploit all that the entire world can offer. Igbo people have a great stake in Nigeria. Igbo need Nigeria; Nigeria needs the Igbo. Igbo need Africa; Africa needs the Igbo. Igbo need the world; the world needs the Igbo,” Soludo stated.
People from about eight Igbo speaking states plus Igbanke people in Edo State attended the event.
Credit: The Sun