OYENIYI ESAN
Ozo Nwoye Chiedu Idezuna, popularly known as Ezemmuo Afirka, the convener and initiator of Eko-OniBaje cultural-tourism Festival, on Tuesday highlighted that due to some post-election tensions in Lagos, the intimidation of the Igbo people during the election must be properly be addressed by concerned authorities because there is need to promote peaceful co-existance among ethnic groups residing in Lagos State.
Ozo Idezuna said, “It will be recalled that there were instances where the Igbo people were prevented from voting and we have many videos circulating on the internet, where there were physical intimidation, violence and harassment while voting was in progress”.
“We appeal to the general public to believe in the oneness of Nigeria, and there is nothing as Igbo-Nigeria or Christian-Nigeria. We should avoid tribe-based or religious based political propaganda because true political system will respect the human value, right and dignity. We should all respect ourselves without any form of preferences to tribe and religion.”
“This is the most important time to preach and practice our core nationalistic values. We remain the largest black nation in the world, and we pride ourselves in the acceptance of our differences and diversities.”
He also noted that, “It’s very important to know that the economic realities in the country know no tribe or ethnic group. Cash scarcity doesn’t know whether you are Igbo or Yoruba, and poverty does care about what religion you believe in. We only need policies that will honour human dignity, and this is what Eko OniBaje New Yam Festival has preached for decades”.
“We were friends before election, without regards to our cultural differences and we insist that we are saying no to post-election crisis. The New Yam Festival of the Igbo culture, for an instance, is an annual tourism event that assembles people without consideration to our differences. We need to ensure collective inclusiveness in our today’s governance” Ozo Idezuna concluded.