By Vincent Kalu
Leadership of various youth groups in the South East geo-political zone rose from a meeting in Enugu at the weekend, with a call for immediate restructuring of Nigeria.
The meeting was at the instance of Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), South East chapter, in collaboration with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Worldwide.
Top on the agenda were issues relating to the recent quit notice given to Igbo residing in the Northern part of Nigeria by Arewa Youth Assembly and the persistent calls for secession by members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The group was meant to discuss the issues with the aim of developing a framework to reduce tension and set the country on the path to greatness.
The youths, in a six-point communiqué signed by all leaders present, said the group will align itself with all the steps taken so far by political leaders of the zone, including the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, South East Governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership.
It said the marginalisation and exclusion of Igbo from the running of Nigeria, led to the agitation for secession.
The forum called for a dialogue with Nnamdi Kanu and members of IPOB on the need to embrace harmony and align with the position of the leadership of Igbo land. It also condemned vehemently, the unguided utterances coming from Arewa Youths, particularly the quit notice given to Igbo to vacate the North on or before October 1, 2017 and other hate speeches capable of throwing Nigeria into a very serious crisis.
The youth leaders unanimously adopted the resolutions of the South East political leaders during their last meeting.
“We also want the Federal Government to be extremely proactive at ensuring that Igbo living anywhere in the country are safe and protected after October 1, as the loss of a single life or property owing to the threat of Arewa Youth would leave us with no option than to abandon this peaceful approach or our belief in the Nigerian experiment.
“In the light of the forgoing, we the leaders of various youth groups in the South East, present here today, wish to state as follows: That we are in total support of all the positions canvassed by Senator Ike Ekweremadu, South East Governors and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“That the government of Nigeria must charge all relevant security agencies to make sure that no single Igbo life is lost anywhere in the North on account of religion or ethnicity.
“That we, the leaders of various youth groups in the South East unequivocally pass a vote of confidence in the deputy Senate president, South East Governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership led by Chief Nnia Nwodo.”