Ohanaeze-Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) has called on Ndigbo to relocate their business headquarters to Igboland and make South-East the economic hub of Nigeria.
It lamented that most Igbo youths lost their investments estimated at over N63 trillion in the North through the various fire incidents that gutted their shops, as well as the demolition of their business premises by agents of the Lagos State government.
The group also urged Ndigbo to expect tougher times in 2018, and to be prepared to adjust to the economic realities of the time.
OYC decried the number of Igbo youths killed in 2017 by soldiers who executed the infamous Operation “Python Dance II”.
The group in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike and the National Vice President, Obinna Achionye, called on the Federal government to protect every Nigerian irrespective of their tribe or religion.
OYC said: “Igbo youths mourn our youths who fell victim during the Operation Python Dance and those killed in the North East.
“We call on the Federal government to protect all citizens no matter the circumstances.
“We also call on our brothers outside Igboland to relocate their business headquarters to the South East in order to make the region the economic hub of Nigeria.”
The group further commended the South East governors, especially that of Enugu State, for rising to the occasion to protect Ndigbo from Fulani herdsmen; Governor Dave Umahi for his developmental strides in Ebonyi State; Governor Willie Obiano for preservation of Igbo political identity; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his Made in Abia Products and Governor Rochas Okorocha on his efforts in Imo State. We urge all the governors of South East to do more for the people.