The President General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has said that the hate speech towards people of Igbo descent from various tribes is unwarranted, and that every good willed Nigerian know that the role of Igbos in helping to build the nation cannot be overlooked.
The Igbo leader made this statement in an interview with ARISE NEWS, where he also called on the Nigerian government to pay compensation to those whose houses have been demolished in an alleged witch hunt against Igbo residents of Lagos State.
Iwuanyanwu, underlining the role of Igbos helping to build Nigeria, said that the Igbos did not complain when Lagos State was made the federal capital territory of Nigeria, but in loyalty, moved to these cities to assist in the growth and development of the then FCT.
He said, “Igbos come in in the normal zeal, in the normal way they operate, they came in, they bought land from owners. When they came, there were people who owned the place. They were there. So, Igbos didn’t come to acquire empty land. Whatever property they have, they bought from people who owned it, and they made developments. And every man of goodwill, every honest Nigerian will know that Igbos have played a lot of role in the development of Lagos. There is no way you can exclude the role of Igbos. What makes a capital big is not somebody thinking, it is my own, it is my own. It is the number of people, the number of people who come from various places to be there.”
He then said that the same thing happened when the FCT was moved to Abuja, as he explained that at that time, even though Nnamdi Azikiwe suggested that the FCT be moved to the South East, Igbos moved into Abuja when it was declared the FCT to contribute to development.
He said, “We were told that Abuja which is going to be a Federal Capital will be a home for every Nigerian, irrespective of tribe, irrespective of religion. In the same manner Igbos moved into Lagos, Igbos moved into Abuja.
“Yes, federal government have made a lot of investment, but federal government cannot develop the capital without individual input. I think anybody of goodwill will know that Igbos have birthed and played a lot of part in making Abuja what it is today.”
Iwuanyanwu then said, “What is worrying us as Igbos is that instead of Nigeria to appreciate us, instead of Nigeria to acknowledge this capacity of Igbos, they’re making hate statements, some of them, they’re saying calling us all sorts of names, and that is very embarrassing to us, embarrassing even to our younger ones who are children.
“I think really that this is a fundamental issue. We want Nigerians to help us to stop people who are making hate speeches. The hate speeches create problem, and it could lead to problem. The younger ones today, our children are getting worried.”
Regarding the recent series of demolitions of structures reportedly belonging to mostly Igbo residents in Lagos State, Iwuanyanwu said that it was unfair for the government to begin these activities at a time of economic crisis and insecurity.
He said, “Any act that will be stopping somebody’s means of livelihood, stopping employment, creating crisis, should be very seriously taken serious and then probably postponed.”
Iwuanyanwu then said, on behalf of Igbos, “We are demanding the following; One, that government should stop demolition because there is crisis in this country, crisis in the economy, crisis on employment. We talk of all this kidnapping and all these problems, part of the problem is unemployment, economic issues, and these things will make it worse.
“Number two, government should not say they won’t pay compensation, because Igbos, all the ones I’ve seen never took away the land forcefully from anybody. If they took away land forcefully, the person should come and tell the world. They bought it from the original owners. There is no land in this country that didn’t have original owner. Yes, the government has a right, we don’t doubt that. If the government wants to take that, they now will value it.
“They now will give them sufficient time. You don’t just give them five days or six days, give them time to pack out. Many people have no money. Most of them are poor traders who have over the years made money, saving 1500, this and that until they make 1 million or so, they are poor people. If you say you’re giving them five days, where will they go? Some of them are homeless, so give them sufficient time, they will pack away. And then, pay them compensation for the structure they have built, so that they will know that the government is fair to them. That’s all we’re demanding.”
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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