A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Hycienth Ngwu, has urged Igbos around to accord the late President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo nationwide, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, respect by refraining from joining the planned hunger protest.
Ngwu made this call on Saturday in Enugu, stating that joining the protest may further destroy the virtues Iwuanyanwu stood for while alive.
Three days before his demise, Iwuanyanwu had in a press statement warned the Igbos against partaking in the protest he described as uncalled-for.
Ngwu noted that Iwuanyanwu, the Ahaejiejemba 1 of Igboland, acquitted himself well in championing Ndigbo’s cause and struggle over decades.
He said that the entire Igboland, especially in the South-East, should remain in a sober mood as they accord their great leader, father and brother a befitting mourning period.
Ngwu called for consultation and dialogue by representatives of the aggrieved group(s) and government, saying it remained the best option to take for the greater good of the country and her citizens.
“Ndi Igbo (Igbo people) recently lost our very illustrious son, an outstanding philanthropist and a nation builder in the person of Ahaejiejemba, the President-General of our epic association, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
“We should accord him deep respect by taking heed of all he had warned us of as Ndigbo, especially for any Igbo person not to join the planned nationwide hunger protest.
“At this moment and period in time, we should be prayerful to God and our ancestors to grant his soul eternal peace.
“Joining in any mass and nationwide protest may further destroy the virtues he fought and stood for,” he said.
