Ndigbo Recommits To One Nigeria …Demands Kanu’s Release

Ndigbo at home and
abroad have ended a three-day summit in Abia on Saturday with a call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, and others it tagged ‘prisoners of conscience’ in Nigeria.
The 2016 World Igbo Summit, organised by the World Igbo Summit Group in collaboration with the Igbo Renaissance Centre of the Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), had Senator Ike Nwachukwu as the chairman.
In its 10-point communiqué, the summit urged the Federal Government to release Kanu and other Biafran agitators in line with the Rule of Law “since they do not constitute a threat to national security.”
The meeting restated the commitment of Ndigbo to work for a united Nigeria, where “Ndigbo would live and operate as equal citizens, without any discrimination, bias or intimidation.”
The communique, which was read by a co-chairman of the summit, Chief Sam Ohuabunwa, noted that “Ndigbo have made the biggest sacrifice and contributions to the building of a modern Nigeria.”
The summit called for legislation by the state and national assemblies to prohibit nomadic grazing by herdsmen and establish grazing reserves with public funds.
It specifically called for legislation “against all forms of open grazing in Igboland”, on grounds that the activities of suspected herdsmen pose great danger to peace and security in the area.
The summit further called for a review of the 1999 Constitution to recognise the rights of each federating unit to self-determination and regional economy “as enshrined in the 1960 Independent Constitution and 1963 Republican Constitution.”
Participants at the summit also resolved “to take full responsibility for the rebuilding of Igbo economy and development of Igboland”, by adopting the digital economy “as the organising paradigm and implementation framework.”
South-East governors were urged to establish a joint commission “for the development of Igboland and be supportive of true Igbo initiatives.”