…as Northern Youth Coalition reaffirms safety of Igbos in region
The leadership of the Igbo community in the 19 Northern states has said that the Igbos will not heed to the call by an association of lawyers in Anambra State to leave the region by the October 1 deadline initially issued by the coalition of youth associations in the region.
Vice President of Igbo Delegate Assembly in 19 Northern states, Chief Chris Nnoli said, the call by the so-called lawyers was not nationalistic and condemnable.
Nnoli, a Lawyer expressed disappointment that his learned colleagues could make such call.
He, however, assured that no Igbo man living in the north will heed such call insisting every Nigerian under the constitution of the country has right to live anywhere they feel like within the country.
Nnoli who is also the President General of Igbo Community Welfare Association (ICWA) in Kaduna State said, October 1st remains Nigeria’s national day and they will all celebrate together as Nigerians.
“We are not in support of such call and if lawyers actually made such call, because I also read the story in a national daily, then it is very unfortunate and are not going heed to it”, he said.
In a related development, Shettima who also reacted to the call by the lawyers asking the Igbos in the north to return home before October 1st to avoid been caught unaware as it happened in 1966.
According to the Northern youths coalition leader, the lawyers asking the Northern-based Igbos to return home at the period are mischief makers and enemies of Nigeria.
According to Shettima, “we are people of honour and respect. We honour our words. So, Igbos in the north can go about their normal business and they should not listen to mischief makers.
“We have sensitised our members to ensure safety of every Nigerian, especially the Igbos and we can assure you that, nothing will happen to the Igbos by October 1st and even beyond”, Shettima assured.