THE leadership of Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, has reiterated its commitment in the pursuit for the economic emancipation of Igbo land, saying they ‘won’t go back nor relent until our demands are realized.’
In a new year message from the group’s national publicity secretary, Kalu Nwokoro Idika, OYC called on Igbo youths to embrace the seven point agenda of the OYC President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka for the total economic development of the South East and beyond.
Urging Igbo youths to remain focused and show active participation in the agitation, the apex Igbo socio-cultural youth group said they are out to set a new pace, adding that they are not interested in political gimmicks.
Part of the statement reads, “Ohanaeze Youth Council under the leadership of Igboayaka O. Igboayaka will not relent on the agitation for the economic emancipation of Igbo land. Over the years; we have had politically motivated OYC destabilizing and made genuine emancipation elusive but OYC of today is now determined to bring a change.
“We OYC wish Igbo youths, in Igala, Igbanke, Idoma, our wonderful brothers and sisters in Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta state, a happy and prosperous new year but not without reminding all of us that we have a battle at hand.
“We shall actively mobilize for the unification of all Igbo extraction in Nigeria. The agitation for the emancipation of Igbo land can no longer be left in the hands of mediocres that only take advantage of our situation to enrich their pockets and serve the caliphate’s interest. And this is why the present crop of leaders in Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) will graciously set a new pace.
“Last year was a basic year for OYC under the leadership of Igboayaka .O. Igboayaka whose election happened few months ago. This year is now a year to flourish and the best way to achieve glory is to embrace the seven points agenda of OYC. Leadership should be defined and objectives primarily set out; this is why OYC under the present leadership has no interest in political gimmicks.”
The Igbo group enumerated its seven-point agenda to include: “1. Functional Seaport. (A) Azumini (Blue River) is 30 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean (strategically located connecting Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State, and Abia State)
“(B) Obeaku- Ndoki is 25 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean. (C) Oseakwa (River Ulasi) Ihiala Anambra that linked to Osemoto Oguta River Imo State is only 18 nautical to Atlantic Ocean with 20m deep without dredging. Do you know that Ulasi is the deepest River in Nigeria, (strategically located connecting Anambra, Imo, Delta, Beyelsa and Enugu).
“(D) Ibaka AkwaIbom is 30 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean. (E) Calabar is 45 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean. (F) Onne is 50 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean. (G) Bonny is 45 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean.
“2. Functional International Airport: Standard airport (the airport in Imo state was built by Dr. Sam Mbakwe under the old Imo state). We are looking at upgrading it and others to world class airports.
“3. Connecting Alaigbo to modern railway system (all the cities in Igboland, Portharcourt, Aba, Nnewi, Asaba, Orlu, Okigwe, Umuahia, Onitcha, Obigbo, Ikwerre, Enugu, Nsukka, Afikpo, Owerri, Abakiliki, Calabar, Ibaka, etc).
“4. Connecting Alaigbo to the National Electric Grid for industrial revolution. Lack of national electric grid has made no single company to survive in Igbo land.
“5. Connecting Alaigbo to Industrial Gas Pipeline (Alaigbo has the highest gas deposit in Nigeria).
“6. A massive campaign/political consultative engagement for the Re-opening of the Department of Chemical Engineering at UNN that was shutdown since 1970 after the war. (The best Department in Africa and Among 10th best Department in the world in early 60s).
“7. A massive campaign/political consultative engagement to construct the federal road that leads to Abuja, from Otuocha in Anambra/Nmiata to Kogi by extension to Abuja (only 3hrs drive from Eastern Nigeria to Abuja).
“After the civil war of 1967, the Igbo nation has witnessed unprecedented economic and political marginalisation. We can’t continue to live with this shameful narrative. However, having a standard functional seaport in Igbo land will come with many profits because what an average Igbo man wants is a level playing field. OYC is determined to do everything necessary to ensure that there is functional seaport, road network, security and international airports.
“We are known for trading and this is why our focus is on making sure ever legal pressure is applied to bring about establishment of seaports and make Igbo land the toast of the world economy which it should be. We are making it bold that the unity of Nigeria and its progress will be anchored on a functional seaport and international airports that will re-ignite economic life in Igbo land.
“Joining hands or being part of Ohaneze Youth Council is not a choice but a mandatory thing every Igbo youth should do. By being part of OYC under the leadership of Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, you are simply fighting for the soul of Igbo nation, we need the soul of our nation to survive as a people and OYC is determined to accomplish that feat.
“We urge youths to stand firm in the face of intimidation and marginalization; as you are making your new year resolution, the soul of Igbo nation should also come into your plans. We must survive and our survival is dependent on economic emancipation of our region; because it is only economic emancipation that can set the standard for other things.”
