OSPRE Workshop: To Quell Insecurity in Southeast, Release Nnamdi Kanu – VP Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Okeke- Ogene
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Vice president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, has categorically stated that the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra from the DSS custody will put a stop to the killings, kidnapping, violent bedeviling the Southeast Region of the country.
He lampooned the federal government for causing the death of thousands of Igbos and destruction of properties occasioned by the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The Ohaneze Vice President made these known during the two day Concord Initiative South East Zonal Technical Workshop for “Sustainable peace, inclusive Recovery & Durable Security” organised by the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, and the Government of Anambra State, between 16th – 17th, May, 2024, at the International Convention Centre, Awka.
The event brought together key leadership actors from the five states government of the South East zone, selected federal stakeholders, peace and security actors as well as identified thoughts. Civic, community, faith and business leaders to deliberate on interventions designed to promote sustainable peace,, inclusive recovery and durable security in the region to drive conversation toward lasting solutions to insecurity in the Southeast, through non-kinetic measures.
Ohaneze Chief further maintained that if there are legitimate charges against Kanu, the government should proceed with a fair trial rather than engaging in continual delays and procedural hindrances.
‘I think that politically speaking, if they have any real charges against him, well, since he is in their hands, they should try him. All these technical postponements, delays, and avoiding the basic issues, for me, is counter-productive.’
For his part, a youth leader from Abia state, Mr Okeke Uchendu noted that since 2021, insecurity in the Southeast has taken a new turn with sustained agitation for Biafra, the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, and attacks on security formation by armed gangs. The development, in turn, weakened public safety, draining the confidence of the security agents and further creating apprehension and chaos that has energized a high rise of criminality across the Southeast.
Mr. Okeke, lamented the decadence of parental upbringing, illiteracy as one very factor that have affected the youths. He noted that there is high rate of drug abuse, young girls who are supposed to be schools are seen roaming around the streets in the name of hook ups, with out no tangible destination.
Meanwhile, the workshop had seven thematic areas or syndicate sessions where participants representing the five states of the Southeast were grouped. These thematic areas that informed the syndicate sessions include; Healing and reconciliation, Cultural recovery, values and education, Enterprise, industry and investment promotion, Youth empowerment, Transitional and restorative justice, Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and finally, Empowering women for peacebuilding. Each syndicate was assigned a facilitator who coordinated discussions and helped with the articulation of participants’ input.
Resolutions reached by the various syndicate sessions during the workshop are expected to be further developed into a policy framework for further action by relevant government ministries, departments, and agencies, at various levels of government.
Hon Dr Nwabufo Nwankwo , Permanent Secretary attend the 2-Day Workshop
Some of the facilitators at the training were, visiting Professor, National University Commission, Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba, Deputy Director General, Nigerian Law School, Enugu, Dr Polycarp Chibueze Okorie, Executive Director, Spaces for change, Victoria Ibezim -Ohaeri, youth leader, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, among others.
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