The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Kano state chapter felicitates with Christians all over the world celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Just as His birth depicts peace and salvation, we call on all Christians and, indeed, Nigerians to use this season to reflect upon the series of crises, calamities and ill-fate that befell Nigeria in the year 2012; and in the same vein channel their thoughts on how to make a better 2013 where wanton bloodshed and slaughter of human lives would not take a bane.
With deep regret, Ohanaeze Ndigbo mourn the demise of thousands of innocent souls who fell by the bullets of terrorists; and also our sympathy goes to the families of all the victims of road accidents, plane crash and natural disasters—particularly, the ravaging flood that swept lives and properties across the country, rendering many fatherless, and so many others homeless.
We seize this opportunity to express our sincere condolence to the families of the late Governor of Kaduna state, Mr. Ibrahim Patrick Yakowa and the late General Andrew Azazi, and others who were victims of the Naval Helicopter crash in Nembe Bayelsa state.
This further exposes the rot in the country, and further indicates the fact that nobody is safe; and we may all perish if the right steps are not taken now.
In the spirit of the yuletide, we call on all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic and religious divides to shun sentiments that bring about hatred, jealousy and rancor for doing so will help a great deal to further enhance national unity and peaceful co-existence.
Tribal sentiments and religious bigotry which have been the bane in this great nation must be purged out of the system.
The syndrome of indigene and non-indigeneship should be abolished in our everyday life. For Ohanaeze Ndigbo, every Nigerian—is he Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Efik or Ijaw should have equal right and should be treated equally wherever he finds himself within the shores of this country. We have seen countries with diverse ethno-religious backgrounds but co-exist and continue to emerge as political and economic super powers in the world.
The United States of America is a good example. Ohanaeze is looking forward to see an emerging law abolishing this problem of natives and non-natives so as to further strengthen the unity of this country.
In strong terms, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Kano state chapter condemns the activities of the Islamic Boko Haram group and similar terrorists organizations that have in no small measure disturbed Nigerians and the Nigerian state through their nefarious activities. There is no gainsaying the fact that the havoc wreaked by these Islamic fundamentalists has dealt a big blow to socio-economic development and national integration.
It is, however, very unfortunate that up till this moment, the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan seems to be playing politics with the bane of terrorism in Nigeria even as innocent bloods are being shed on a daily basis. At this juncture, we call on President Jonathan to take a decisive action to curb the menace of terrorism in Nigeria, because already, Nigeria is on the brink of collapse as a result of the acts of terrorism which seems to be getting out of control. Our stand remains that it is high time the Federal Government tackle the issue of insecurity headlong, at least, for the sake of the common masses who are the major victims of this act of man’s inhumanity to man. President Jonathan, please take charge and save Nigerians and their property!
To our fellow Nigerians, it is time to rise up and defend the dignity of our great nation. We have a duty to reinvigorate and maintain the legacies of our founding fathers that fought even with their blood to gain independence and secure sovereignty for our great nation. Patriotism is the answer. When we refuse to support identified corrupt politicians and government officials, corruption will be minimized in our polity and in our budding economy. We need to show love to our neighbours and lift up the candles of unity and hope for a better tomorrow.
Once again, we say Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year to all Nigerians.
Signed:
Hon. Chief Tobias Michael Idika(Atumah Na Eri Ibeya Ndi
Igbo)President,Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Kano State Chapter.
President-General, Leaders of Ethnic Communities Residents in KanoState.
