* April 4 set aside for special prayers across Igbo land
The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has declared an end to its sit-at-home directive in the South East, saying the gesture is to embrace peace initiatives by the Anambra State government.
The IPOB yielded to the appeal by the Anambra Government and Traditional rulers to pave the way for peace, since all Igbo stakeholders and religious leaders have declared their intention to find a lasting solution to insecurity and incessant sit-at-home directives in the South East.
The decision was disclosed by Obi of Onitsha and Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, during a one-day peace building and security meeting held in Awka on Saturday.
His Royal Highness, Igwe Achebe, said that the stakeholders have continually held meetings on the way forward, to lasting resolutions of the impasse with the agitators.
He said that after its meeting with the group on Friday, April 1, it was agreed that a call to release the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, would be a step to dousing the tension in the State.
He said that after the meeting, the group placed a call to all its members to sheathe their swords, put down their guns and go the way of dialogue.
Members of the IPOB
“We call on all who had taken the way of gun to put down their guns and take up the olive leaf from the government to better themselves,” Achebe said.
He said the State government has set April 4 for prayers to seek God’s face for the restoration of lasting peace in Anambra and South East as a whole.
Igwe Achebe was quoted as saying April 4 was agreed that all churches in Igboland and South East will join in prayers to seek God’s forgiveness and to restore peace in the region.
“Igboland has lost so much in the economic and social development of the zone and we are tired of the situation and want peace,” the traditional ruler said.
He said: “It is agreed that on Sunday, April 3, all churches will announce the IPOB decision to their faithful to come out on Monday 11am to their various churches to offer prayers to God for the restoration of peace and economic development.”
Lots of other speakers at the meeting spoke in line with the decision.
They include Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Uche Okafor, who assured that the legislators would partner with the government to enthrone lasting peace and economic development of the State and the zone.
The National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damin Ogene-Okeke, urged the public to embrace the decision to establish peacebuilding amongst “ourselves and work towards improving security sanity in the State”.
He called on the governors of the South East States to represent their people well and speak the minds of the citizens who elected them into office.
- NAN