By Tony Adibe
At least 21 various groups of stakeholders in Enugu State have restated calls for the President Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a way of kick-starting the process of national reconciliation.
This is even as the stakeholders also gave total endorsement to the Enugu State Government’s cancellation of the retrogressive Sit-At-Home order imposed on the southeast zone of Nigeria by certain pro-Biafra agitators.
These formed part of the 12-point communique issued after a town hall meeting of the major stakeholders on the cancellation of the Sit-At-Home, convened by the Governor Peter Mbah-led Enugu State Government on Saturday at the old Governor’s Lodge, GRA, Enugu.
The 12-point communique was signed by 21 signatories representing the various groups including, but not limited to the following: Comrade Stephen Aniagu, President, Enugu State Amalgamated Traders Association; Comr. Barr. Fabian Nwigbo Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress; Mr. Ben Asogwa, Chairman, Trade Union Congress; Comrade Nweke Odoh, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Enugu State Chapter; Comrade Ebuka Okoh Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria Enugu State Chapter.
Nigeria’s new President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Further to the meetings held by the Government of Enugu State with individual groups and stakeholders ahead of the ban of the Monday sit-at-home, stakeholders and representatives of various bodies, institutions, organisations, associations, including government officials and heads of security and intelligence agencies at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, on Saturday, June 10, 2023, to further deliberate on the subject matter and the way forward.
Reading the communique, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia said after extensive and exhaustive deliberations at the town-hall meeting, which also had the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, and the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, in attendance, it was resolved:
1. That the decision of the Enugu State Government cancelling the Monday sit-at-home order considering that its detrimental impacts on productivity, investment flow, and the Igbo spirit of creativity, entrepreneurship and commerce is hereby endorsed by the town-hall.
2. That the town-hall commends the State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, on the laudable steps taken so far to ensure peace is returned to the state, which include his recent visit to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; opening door for dialogue with those with genuine grievances.
3. That the town-hall reiterates the position of the State Government, and further appeals to the President to act on the governor’s request by releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and expedite the process of national healing, national integration and national reconciliation.
4. That the town-hall calls on the State Government to resuscitate, overhaul, rejig and strengthen internal security mechanisms such as the Community Policing, Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, amongst others, in the state.
5. That the stakeholders and representatives of various groups at the town-hall meeting – traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of institutions, corporate bodies, youth and students’ leaders, transport and market associations, etc. – shall educate and sensitize their members on the gains of ending the Monday sit-at-home and getting back to work.
Enugu State Governor, Mr Peter Mbah
6. That the security agencies should continue to work round the clock in order to reassure citizens and residents of their safety, not only on Mondays, but also on other days of the week.
7. That the town-hall proposes that the Government should procure special commercial city buses and taxies that will ply the routes beyond 9.00 pm when tricycle operators are prohibited from doing so.
9. That the town-hall supports any security measure or measures and other steps the State Government deems necessary in order to end the Monday sit-at-home and get people back to work in the overall interest of the state and its residents.
10. That the town-hall enjoins members of the public to resume work and go about their normal daily businesses as various security and intelligence agencies have, in their joint and collaborative efforts, given assurance(s) of their safety, including proactive responses to distress calls any time of the day.
11. That the town-hall urges members of the public to continue to support the government and security agencies by sharing vital information with them, including suspicious movements and gatherings by strange persons or groups of persons in any part of the state, including forests and borders.
12. That the town-hall urges persons and groups with genuine grievances to take the opportunity of dialogue offered by the Government of Enugu State to engage the government on their grievances to ensure lasting peace and security in the state.
Earlier, Governor Mbah had reminded the gathering that the so-called Sit-At-Home order, if it was allowed to continue, would hinder the vision, and attempt of his administration to raise the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from its low level to the targeted 3rd position in the country.
Governor Mbah said no responsible investor would like to come and invest in the state where there’s insecurity. “Enough is enough,” he said repeatedly.
