Igbo Movement Urge Igbos To Be Steadfast

The Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) has said that it will continue to fight for the unity of the country and give all Nigerians a sense of belonging.

Daily Post reports that this was made known during a convention organised by the movement in Enugu on Tuesday, October 20 at the Nike lake resort.

Dr Alex Ekwueme, the former vice president under the administration of Shehu Shagari who was present said that the reason why he got that position was because he was an Igbo man.

Ekwueme maintained that Igbos were highly respected people in Niheria and said he was able to rise to become the vice president of the country because of his descent.

He urged the youths at the convention to embrace and appreciate the Igbo language and not allow it to spiral down.

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the former governor of Abia state and a ministerial nominee noted that the Igbo language may not survive for long as some Igbos now find foreign language more attractive.

“Today, our society is faced with the danger that the Igbo language may not survive for long. It is sad that most of our children find it difficult to communicate in our native language. The attraction of foreign values has become almost an obsession that has weakened our self-confidence and injured our self-esteem.

“We cannot rediscover ourselves if we do not reclaim our cultural heritage. It has become important because a people without culture is a people without self-confidence. If a people lack self-confidence then such a people lose the will, determination and drive to successfully engage the development process in the pursuit of the common good.

“I wish to assure you all that the APC led federal government of President Buhari will initiate visionary and sustained efforts to help Nigerians rediscover their rich past. In doing so, such efforts will be guided by the knowledge that cultural reawakening is an important tool in the economic, social and political development of our beloved country.”

Mr. Elliot Uko, the president of IYM said the theme of the convention was selected to reflect the propagation of Igbo language. He said the group would fight for the unity of the country and added that the movement would continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption and antiterrorism stance.

This is coming at the time thee renewed interest in the establishment of an independent Biafra state is on the rise. On Tuesday, there were protest in Rivers and Delta over the detention of Radio Biafra boss.