Ohanaeze Ndigbo has implored the  Federal Government to engage prompt action in tackling  the new wave of insecurity that has bedeviled the   South East region.

In a statement jointly signed by Amb. Prof. George Obiozor,President General, and

Ambassador Okey Emuchay, Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide enjoined President Mohammadu Buhari to investigate seriously the nature and sophistication of the crimes that are taking place in South East of Nigeria in the interest of all.

It said: “We want to requests the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to thoroughly investigate this new wave of criminalities and violence in South East of Nigeria.

“In the recent past, there has been spate of violent attacks on some institutions in South East of Nigeria; examples include the Correctional Center, State Police Headquarters and the country home of the Governor of Imo State all in Imo State.

“Additionally, there was an attack on the Federal High Court Abakaliki, Ebonyi State etc. Just yesterday, Monday, 26th day of April,2021 there was an attack on the Fulani community at Igbariam in Anambra State, involving gruesome murder of innocent civilians. These attacks were clinically conducted by the perpetrators and to this extent do not bear the usual and known signature of local operators”

Diaspora Igbo group, the Igbo World Assembly, IWA,  has emphasized  for collaboration between the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and the south east governors’ planned  Ebebu Agu, to check the rising cases of insecurity in the region. This is as the group also condemned the Federal Government posture in labelling  the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,  a terrorist organization.

IWA in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman,  Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze,  Vice Chairman Christian Onuorah and Secretary General Oliver Nwankor  noted with dismay that government may have  spared  herdsmen that are the real killers, murderers, kidnappers and rapists

“These Fulani herdsmen terrorists who are the real terrorist are treated with kid’s gloves by the  government while turning around to hound IPOB members who, as far as we are concerned, are not terrorists, but are freedom fighters agitating for a better deal for their people”, IWA noted with dismay. .

Expressing discomfort at the worsening security situation in  South East and and Nigeria, the group in the statement  urged  all the towns in all Igbo communities to set up a vigorous and robust vigilantes’ outfit to guard every part of  the state.

“We support civil defense in every part of  Igbo land  in anticipation of nefarious activities in their respective areas of concerns”, the statement added.

Urging  Igbo people to apply old school diplomacy that is deep rooted in synergy  and flexibility, collaboration and , dialogue, IWA  noted that it was time for  diversification of strategies that would allow room for multiple options at all times.

“We should always put our “smartest” men and women that are skilled in diplomacy at the helm of Igbo affairs. These men and women must be ready and willing to genuinely represent Igbo interest at the center, Nigerian and World-wide.

“We need a wealth of knowledge in understanding of diplomacy and alliance building for the people of the Southeast to form coalitions and alliances with the people of the Southwest, South-South, Middle Belt regions and others.

“Because the great Zik and Awo alliance did not work out well in the past, does not mean that the Igbos and the Yorubas  cannot achieve this alliance today.  We need each other for  the Yorubas and Igbos  to survive in our journeys to justice.   In politics there is no permanent enemies or permanent friends, only permanent interests”, IWA explained.

According to IWA, the Igbo extraction need multiple options at all times with one common Igbo Agenda that is tied into One Ohanaeze Ndiigbo perspective.

“  We need a Nigeria where measured autonomy and self-determination is front, back and centre. Ohanaeze Ndiigbo should continue with a refocused push for restructuring Nigeria into an independent regional system, allowing freedom fighters, such as IPOB to continue their Biafran struggle in the same fashion that the Oduduwa group is struggling for Oduduwa Republic, independent of other mushroom groups within their struggles”, IWA explained.

Noting that  Igbos need to work with the youths  while avoiding  unnecessary in-fighting, IWA believed that for r the Ohanaeze Ndi-igbo to have enhanced viability and true freedom to broker the  “Igbo agenda”, their funding should come directly from Ndi-igbo from across the globe and not from governments; State, Federal and or otherwise.

“Igbo youths have been taken for granted for years especially, in the underdeveloped and less privileged areas. Coincidentally, future of Ndi-Igbo advancement in terms of Economic, Social, Education, Cultural, innovation and technologies are in their hands.

“The youths therefore, must be at the center of the proverbial Igbo agenda. Our agenda for youth in turn must start with character education; remolding our youth for future ethical leadership as the workforce and leadership of the future with vocational trade and skills acquisition; the cornerstone for self-sufficiency”, IWA said in the statement.

According to IWA, “It’s high time the various leaders; home and abroad, lobby politicians, congressmen/women, governments in every country and international world body (Africa Union (AU), United Nations (UN, European Union (EU) everywhere that matters about Igbo interests and the plight of Ndiigbo in Nigeria”

Senator Chris Anyanwu,former lawmaker who represented Owerri North Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Senator Chris Anyanwu has emerged  the pioneer President of Nzuko Umunna Foundation.

She was announced by Prof. Pat Utomi,  political economist and Chairman of the Nzuko Umunna Board of Trustees in a statement

He said: “I am pleased today to flag off the formal path forward from four years of impactful service to the Igbo nation at home and abroad by the Nzuko Umunna Foundation, especially through this platform, to a new level of greater impact, with an Executive Council selected by the trustees to administer Nzuko Umunna affairs for the next four years when formal elections by eligible members will decide their replacement.”

Utomi noted that “A candle loses nothing, it is said, when it lights another candle. I am full of trust, therefore, that the eminent members of this Executive Council will give generously of their service in knowledge and wisdom and love for God’s purpose for the Igbo person, that all may thrive wherever they are located and live in peace with fairness, justice and equity, as defining marks of their environment.”

The former presidential adviser observed that the new leadership “sets the pace and tone of where NU and the Igbo nation is going by breaking new ground in both diversity and inclusion.

He added  that the team features accomplished entrepreneurs, social enterprise and civil society champions, outstanding academics, media experts and technocrats.

He said:“Finally, I want to salute the dedication, tenacity and goal mindedness of Ngozi Odumuko and his team of young people who birthed Nzuko Umunna in response to the desperate needs of our people for direction.”

In her acceptance speech, Senator Anyanwu thanked Prof. Utomi and the Board of Trustees “for assembling such an amazing mix of young, tough and bright Igbos with men and women of experience and capacity in the new Council,” noting that “The task to be undertaken is not going to be easy but with the team members bristling with patriotism, I am sure that passion and that ‘can do’ spirit will propel us to new frontiers and higher goal achievement.”

The  Sir Paul Obi Foundation and  non partisan and profit making body floated by the Company Secretary of NIPCO Plc ,Barrister Paul Obi  has marked its third year of inauguration with offers of scholarships and social intervention grants to indigent people in the society

At the event held at the Foundation complex in Ogberuru, Orlu LGA, Imo State, Barrister Paul Chukwuma Obi said activities marking the commemoration of the outfit third anniversary were in three fold, primarily at touching the lives of people with bias for their empowerment.

He said  the first of the interventions was the offer of 135 bags of 25kg rice to support household in the town to cushion the effect of COVID -19 pandemic during the lockdown.

According to him, the donation which was targeted at offering succor to the people as well as ameliorating their socio – economic  conditions was an aftermath of the scourge ravaging the country and worldwide .

He added that  the second aspect of the interventions was the offer of hope and support to scores of handicapped people in the area.

The legal icon said physically challenged people in our midst needs special care even more than those not handicapped as their conditions have put some strains on them necessitating assistance on a regular basis .

The donation to the handicapped includes bags of rice and other food items to aid their feeding for some time ,a feat that the beneficiaries were elated about as they were been assisted like those not in any way physically challenged .

He informed that the third aspect of the  foundation activities during the yuletide  was the offer of scholarships to indigent people as  continuing efforts of the organization to be a notable contributor to educational growth in the community in particular and the state in general.

The Foundation has at its third anniversary offered about five indigent undergraduates in different universities in Nigeria bringing its total student portfolio to about 35 scholarships   across the Ochasi clan

He recalled that his late father, Augustine Okoronkwo Obi who was very pivotal to his being a lawyer, a vocation that has provided the wherewithal to embark on the foundation as the deceased continuously strive for educational pursuits by all

The NIPCO Plc company secretary noted that the foundation primarily aimed at offering scholarships for university education had to shift to social interventions following the pains people are facing due to the economic situation of the country and the world in general.

Barrister Obi informed the audience that the Foundation also empowered 25 indigent men, women and youths drawn from  five different parishes that partner with the organization by providing them soft revolving grants to enable them start a trade .

He further emphasized that the Foundation would continue its educational support in the years ahead in a conscious move to ward off illiteracy with its adverse consequences on the growth of the communities and the state in general.

He promised to donate 150 exercise books for distribution  to all schools in the area through the Foundation .

He lauded the support of the traditional rulers in the area,saying  as they have all seen the program as a boost to their efforts at making the people self reliant with sound education that could shape their lives.

These interventions, the founder noted, must have accounted for the chieftaincy title of Ochendo Ogberuru conferred on him by the traditional ruler the Ezi  1 of Ezimba, Ogberuru , Eze Micheal Igwenma for acts capable of reducing poverty in the land.

At the event, HRH Eze Damian Obianigwe commended the donor for his material and moral support to the people and the royalty stressing that each time the foundation shows its kindness to the communities, the entire town feels a deep sense of happiness.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worlwide,  the  apex Igbo socio- cultural organization  has justified the creation of Ebubeagu security outfit in the southeast region of the country.

The group also reiterated its commitment to the clamor for restructuring of Nigeria.

Prof George Obiozor,the e President General of Ohanaeze, spoke at a press conference in Enugu on Thursday.

He said: “Resctructuring from anywhere back or the front is acceptable. What is restructuring is making Nigeria more governable under a good system that guarantees good governance.

“ It will be the greatest joy of more Nigerians who believe in fairness ,equity and Justice if the country is being restructured. Whether the resctructuring comes through the back or front or   from both side, all are better and faster. We wish restructuring a great Sucess,”

“As we all know, formation of ebubeagu is not late as the South East governors are always working towards your security and safety.  I’m proud of southeast governors for Comming up with the formation of Ebubeagu as you  may not know how they are working hard to ensure  the safety of our citizens.

 “I have been given the mandate as Ohanaeze Ndigbo to speak for the Igbo’s so we will continue to support any organization formed to work for the interest of Ndigbo.

“I want to advise Ndigbo to cooperate and support the formation of Ebubeagu which is for the interest and safety of the people.If there is any organization formed against Ndigbo, I must speak out because my responsibility is to protect Ndigbo but on Ebubeagu, it’s for our own interest and peaceful coexistence of Ndigbo,” he said

Ebonyi State Government has purchased100 motorbikes to assist security agents in accessing hinterlands of the wartorn Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Delivering thirty of the 100 motorbikes to the Nigeria Police, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Border Peace, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha,  explained that the bikes would aid the security agents in accessing Effium hinterlands.

He added  that 20 of the motorbikes had been handed over to the Nigerian military for same purpose, while the remaining 50 would be for the State Vigilance group, Neighborhood Watch.

“It’s a fulfilment of the State Government promise to the security agencies. The motorcycles will help the security agents to access the hinterlands of Effium and Ezza-Effium villages of Effium community,” he said.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged  that Ebubeagu, the security outfit formed by South East governors was set up to fulfill all righteousness or to spy on its own security network, the Eastern Security Network (ESN)

It advised youths from the Eastern part of the country should shun it or  be prepared to join his ancestors.

It restated that EBUBEAGU security outfit was ostensibly formed to sabotage IPOB and ESN because it was an abstract security outfit, a mockery formed without anything on the ground.

Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, said: “It has come to the attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu that South East Governors have shamefully and belatedly announced the formation of an abstract security outfit called Ebubeagu to secure the zone from Fulani terrorists herdsmen they allotted our ancestral lands to.

“What a mockery the puppets have made of themselves in their usual quest to please their slavemasters! How can you launch a security outfit without first assembling the personnel and equipping them? When Amotekun was formed it was not abstract, the personnel and their equipment were handy. When our leader floated the gallant Eastern Security Network, ESN, the men were on ground. How then did South East traitors called Governors announce a security outfit without any personnel or were they under any pressure to hurriedly make the announcement after years of foot-draging and deceit?

“However, whether or not they were under any influence, we want to remind these bunch of caliphate slaves that there is no need for them to form another security outfit in our land since we have our formidable ESN. They woke up from their slumber rather too late. We have gone beyond that stage unless they are on a mission to sabotage ESN”.

Five governors of the Southeast region, yesterday  Sunday launched Ebubeagu regional security to fight terrorism in the zone.

The Chairman Southeast governors forum and governor of Ebonyi state, Dave Umahi, disclosed this to newsmen at the Imo government house, along side with other Southeast governors.

He explained that  the regional security would be the joint Vigilante from Southeast with their headquarters in Enugu state.

The governors in attendance were, Governor of Abia State, Okezuo Ikpeazu, Anambra, Willie Obiano, Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Ebonyi, Dave Umahi and the host governor, Hope Uzodimma,President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo world-wide, Professor George Obiozor as well as top security chiefs in the zone.

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has demanded for the prosecution of the state’s police commissioner,Aliyu Garba,over the  disappearance of the  55 suspects arrested in connection with the killings in Effium communities in the state.

They  also demanded that after thorough  investigation, security agents implicated in the dastardly acts should be dismissed.

They faulted the police narrative of the incident, stating that the authorities claim of escape came hours after the said suspected militia were handed over to the State’s Commissioner of Police, for their onward transportation to the Police Command Headquarters in Abakaliki.

They said: “That CP Garba and his men; DCOPs, DCP Chuku G.C and his orderly, Uche, 2i/c SWAT, Asp. Amaechi, Inspector Emmanuel Uko of the Anti-kidnapping Unit, Ebonyi State Police Command and other Police officers, and indeed, including the sister security agencies like some NSCDC officials involved in the said controversial escape of the arrested suspects and so indicted be made to face the full wrath of the law. They should all be diligently and uncompromisingly investigated and brought to book for their roles in the saga.Should they be found wanting in any way or form unbecoming of officers of the law, they should be summarily dismissed from service to serve as a deterrent to others who would wish to compromise or joke with the very serious issue of security which has become a nightmare in the present-day Nigeria.”

They said the  police should  re-arrest and produce the said 55 escapees for trial “as we believe that the information which they would provide and the evidences they would deduce would help in bringing these limitless killings to an end (immediate and remote).”

The Association which described the situation in Ebonyi as “a soap opera,” said it is outraged by news reports that 55 out 66 hired militias who were successfully arrested on Saturday afternoon at Okpoduma village in Effium by the Nigerian military escaped from the custody of the Nigeria Police Force.

“As a matter of fact, we are most disturbed, like other sane minds eager to see the end of the carnage and wanton destruction of lives and property particularly of Ezza descents in Effium that the said arrest of the mercenaries could only happen when the GOC led his team in a very professionally coordinated operation.

“How can an entire security apparatchik including; the Police, DSS and the NSCDC in Ebonyi who were unable to unravel the mysterious supply of arms, charms and very deadly weapons in the ongoing senseless carnage needless to talk about making any reasonable arrest of the masterminds be at the heat of a controversy leading to the fleeing of 55 already-arrested suspects?

We want to believe that it is either some conspiracy from top government officials we suspect have been funding this war were about to be busted by the said arrested and freed mercenaries or nothing, absolutely, nothing less,” it lamented.