Igbo must go protest: Yorubas leave enmass, close investments in Imo
From Marcel Duru, Owerri
Over xenophobic comment credited to President Tinubu’s Media aid Bayo Onanuga that Igbos shall leave Western Nigeria, and the the Yorubas living in South East to relocate to Western Nigeria, the some Yorubas living in Imo State have started going home.
In Imo State some professional printers have dismantled their Direct Images Printing Machines in the State.
One of them who gave his name as Ade Alakija revealed that some they were going because of information they received from their kinsmen, urging them to leave South East before the middle this month.
Recently Governor Uzodimma reacting over Bayo Ononuga’s xenophobic comment against Igbo’s said that he shall do every thing humanly possible to protect safety of Igbos living in Lagos and all parts of Nigeria
“It is regrettable that in this age and time and given the circumstances and history of our beautiful nationhood, there are still individuals who thrive in stoking tension and exploiting our ethnic differences for some odious personal or group profits and political or economic advantage. Probably, the X, originally known as Twitter, account, which published a very disturbing hateful post, threatening Igbos, living in Lagos State and other parts of the Southwest with attacks on both their lives, businesses and properties, if they fail to relocate, is a troll.
Speaking with cross section of journalists recently in Owerri, Imo State Uzodimma however highlighted that the threats and significance of them cannot be ignored by any sensible leader.
“I was disturbed about this toxic social media undertaking by the yet to be identified troll, and would spare no cost, time or contacts in ensuring that every Igbo man or woman, doing business, schooling or working in any part of Nigeria, including, Lagos State, and the entire Southwest region is safe, free and undisturbed by any individual or group”
“As a pan Nigerian leader and nationalist, I had at various times, intervened in preserving the time-tested camaraderie and confraternity between the Yorubas and Igbos, and Igbos and other ethnic groups in Nigeria, intervened at several fronts, to strengthen the understanding between the various host States and communities, whenever there was any misunderstanding”
Uzodimma further stated that It is encouraging to note that the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has come out to repudiate that irresponsible social media post and reassured Igbos in Lagos, and elsewhere in the Southwest, of their safety and security, while committing to investigating the individual or individuals behind that rascality.
“The unanimous condemnation that has trailed that, apparently leprechaunish incitement, goes further to prove that Nigerians can no longer be hoodwinked by ethnic sentiments and divisive rhetoric, as Nigerians who hold differing political ideals, from different ethnicities, and multiple political and cultural orientations have been unified in their condemnation of that pernicious social media prank, or whatever it is”
He urged Ndigbo residing in Lagos, the Southwest and indeed, all parts of Nigeria to be assured that Imo State is fully committed to the safety and security of all Igbos, no matter where they reside, and has continued to engage with his colleagues, governors, and key political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other critical stakeholders, to guarantee the safety and security of all Igbos residing in different parts of the country.
He also assures that every Nigerian residing in Imo State and in any part of the Southeast and Igbo land in general shall be treated as one with us, and granted all privileges and rights reserved for every citizen of Nigeria without any form of discrimination.
“Igbos are therefore encouraged to go about their legitimate businesses everywhere they are, while abiding by the laws and norms of their host communities and remaining as usual; agents of development and prosperity in their places of abode”
