Stakeholders of the South East zone comprising of the governors of the States in the zone, national assembly members, ministers, clergy men, traditional rulers, Igbo leaders and women leaders in the zone, on Thursday, rose from a closed-door meeting at the Government House, Enugu, with the resolution to engage the youth meaningfully, to ensure sustainable peace in the zone and assist the victims.
The leaders sympathised with the families of the #EndSARS protests’ victims which included the Police, other security agencies and all those who lost their loved ones and properties.
Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, while presenting the Five-point communique drawn at the end of the meeting, said that “the state governors are committed to addressing the concerns of our young people that are peculiar to various states and will engage the federal government and their colleagues in other states to address the other issues that are national.
“Each state in the South East zone will set up a fund to assist the victims of the crisis, including the Police, the Army, other security agencies and civilians.
“While our governors are working hard to meet their demands, the destruction of public and private properties and killing of security agents and civilians will never be allowed to continue.”
The stakeholders assured protection of all ethnic groups living in the South East, while thanking people from other parts of Nigeria for protecting Igbos in their areas too.
“We, therefore, direct all Igbo, both in and outside Nigeria, to go about their businesses and should not participate in any form of unlawful protest and criminality”.
Present at the meeting were Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Imo State Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, Ebonyi State governor and chairman of the South East governors forum, Engr. Dave Umahi, host governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State,
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Worldwide), Chief Nnia Nwodo, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Sam Egwu, Senator Uche Ekwunife.
Others include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Uchechukwu Ogah, Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, the Obi of Onitsha, HRM, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Amb. Mrs. Justina Eze, CAN chairman, Bishop Edeh among others.
