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By Dennis Agbo
Ohanaeze Ndigbo warned members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to be careful how they go about creating enemies for Ndigbo and jeopardizing Igbo relations with their good neighbors.
Ohanaeze particularly took issue with the unsavory remarks IPOB made against the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, and apologized to Chief Clark for the IPOB’s youthful exuberance displayed against Clark. .
Ohanaeze Ndigbo made it clear that Igbo people advocate old age with courtesy and respect, noting that old age is so precious in Igbo land that the oldest man in a village or community, in most cases, benefits community burial and funeral rites on death.
“The elders are believed to represent the Igbo ancestors here on earth and are therefore often celebrated,” Ohanaeze said.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s National Advertising Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, said it is common knowledge that young people all over the world have common characteristics, including impetuosity and exuberance.
Apex Igbo said that as much as the effervescence and exuberance of young people are essential characteristics of a growing society, it is always the duty of elders to moderate the excesses and idiosyncrasies of youth.
He told the young Igbo that it was recorded that Chief Edwin Clark is one of the few detribalized Nigerians with an unassailable love for the Igbos that has demonstrated in more ways than one an intense passion for the Igbo.
Ohanaeze recalled that “it was Chief Clark who facilitated the renovation and equipping of Queens School, Enugu with state-of-the-art facilities shortly after the Nigerian Civil War. Prominent Igbo women who have been through the school, such as Judge Rose Ukeje (rtd), Judge Victoria Nebo, Professor Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Professor Ifeoma Enemuo, Professor Ifeoma Egbuonu, Ms Justina Offia (SAN ), Professor Gloria Chukwukere, etc., are some of the testaments to Clark’s magnanimity.
“Since then, Clark has remained a patron of the school to the present day. It was Clark who spoke vehemently against the marginalization of the Igbo and propelled the concept of a president of Southeast Nigeria. It was Clark who had declared that the Igbo agitations were justified, among several others.
“It is important to urge our young people to refrain from words that could put Igbo relations with our valued neighbors in avoidable distress. The Igbo unrest is undoubtedly genuine, but restrictions, convictions and cordial interethnic relations are necessary to maintain the support of other ethnic groups in Nigeria, ”Ohanaeze warned.
He reminded IPOB that leaders from the South East, South South, South West and Middle Belt have converged and have chosen Chief Clark as the tireless leader of the Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt Forum, SMBLF, because of its exceptional qualities.
“I must also add that one of his most enviable leadership qualities is the exceptional courage of his innermost convictions and the ability to speak the truth in power.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, headed by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, holds Chef EK Clark in the highest regard. Our deep admiration for him is beyond measure and will always condemn any form of attack on his person.
“We therefore hope that the disreputable words of our young people will not weaken his passion and his commitment to the Igbo.”
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