The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, has tasked the Hope Uzodinma-led government in lmo State to constitute an independent Judicial Commission of lnquiry on the arson attack on a property belonging to former Senator Frank Ibezim.
There were widespread misconceptions concerning the establishment of a skills Acquisition Centre at the National Upon University, Nsu in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area which resulted to the attack on the property on October 1, 2024.
Parts of a statement issued on Wednesday by OYC National President, Ogboayaka O. Ogboayaka and lfeanyichukwu Cedric Nweke, Secretary General, read, “Every rational and discerning Igbo individual should recognize that the reprehensible act of setting Senator Frank Ibezim’s house and the National Open University, Nsu, on fire constitutes a grave offense against the Igbo people and our collective development.
“Some Ndigbo have misinterpreted the establishment of a Skills Acquisition Center at National Open University, Nsu, by the Federal Commissioner of Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and Special Adviser to the President on Humanitarian Affairs, raising concerns that sentimentalism and baseless fears, rooted in past federal government policies, are pervasive.
“Sadly, the prevailing generation of Igbo extraction exhibit a marked decline in analytical thinking and investigative spirit, now predominantly driven by emotional and sentimental responses rather than diligent research to establish factual accuracy, that it seems that Ndigbo can believe rumours of a mad man from dustbin.
“It is lamentable that the Southeast’s insecurity and violence, fueled by certain criminal elements masquerading as Biafra activists, and mismanaged by Federal Government confrontation under the then President Mohammadu Buhari have resulted in unwarranted prejudice against numerous innocent Igbo individuals, reminiscent of Jesus Christ’s ordeal at the hands of the Pharisees.
” In a similar vein, Senator Frank Ibezim has been unfairly targeted by those he intended to empower through skill acquisition programs at Open University Nsu Center.
“Would Ndigbo not face international ridicule for demolishing a federal initiative aimed at empowering unemployed youths within their territory? Would the broader Nigerian population not view Ndigbo with disdain for attacking Senator Frank Ibezim, a visionary leader who brought a project beneficial to the youths, but rewarded with setting his residence ablaze?
“The individuals responsible for setting Senator Frank Ibezim’s house and the National Open University Nsu Center ablaze have not only committed a serious crime, but according to the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), such an act constitutes an ‘abomination and sacrilege in Igboland.
“Regrettably, those who sponsored this heinous act have unjustly targeted an innocent individual whose sole offense was working to improve the lives of Igbo youths by providing them with skills and diverting them from the streets.
“Investigations conducted by the Ohanaeze Youth Council(OYC) have uncovered that the Skill Acquisitions training Center, founded by the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, and Special Adviser to the President on Humanitarian Affairs, is a comprehensive national initiative providing empowerment opportunities across various zones in different IDP camps.
“It is widely acknowledged that the Federal Commissioner of Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, and Special Adviser to the President on Humanitarian Affairs, conducted a site assessment to determine the suitability of National Open University Nsu Center’s facilities for hosting Skill Acquisition Training Centers tailored and strictly for Igbo youths in the SouthEast Zone.
‘”The SouthEast Governors Forum, led by His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodimma, must demonstrate solidarity and take collective action regarding the destruction of Sen. Frank Ibezim’s residence. Rather than indifference, the Forum should strive for a consensus-driven approach to rebuild and restore all affected properties and structures.
“This collaborative stance will foster an enabling environment for progressive-minded Igbo individuals, such as Sen. Frank Ibezim, to thrive in bringing programs that will develop Igboland.
“The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) kindly appeals to Distinguished Senator Frank Ibezim to bear this loss with fortitude, perceiving it as a test of his dedication to empowering the emerging Igbo generation, especially in an era where numerous young individuals are searching for leadership direction.
“Finally , Ndigbo especially the youths must thoughtfully consider that violence and destruction of property are antithetical to their cultural values system, and rash judgments can lead to innocent individuals being victimized.
“Today, we assert without ambiguity that individuals or groups advocating for Igbo causes while disregarding the essential tenets and values of Igbo tradition are not authentic representatives of the Igbo people, warranting a reassessment of their lineage.”
