The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbi, has said that the northern region serves as one of the safest harbours for Igbo people to reside and run their business.
This was disclosed by Augustine Amaechi, the chairman of the group in the 19 northern states, in Abuja, noting that the region had sheltered the Igbos beyond measures.
Though Amaechi acknowledged occasional fracas with their host communities, he said it was unavoidable as it is expected in a developing economy.
Speaking on the clamour for succession by some elements in the South-East, he said it was occasioned by unemployment in the region, stressing that since Igbos are traders, they need the North to maintain their financial strength.
Amaechi said, “Our elders are saying that even if the youth are agitating and angry, we need a restructure of Nigeria and not a division of Nigeria because you can’t sell what you produce in your village to make big sales like in Alaba Market in Lagos.”
Also speaking, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, George Obiozor, stated that the Igbo nation is not at war with anybody.
“All we want is to be treated equally with other people. It is time for us to speak truth to power. We need peace and unity and they can’t be gotten through propaganda and transparency must be followed,” DailyTrust quoted him to have said.