Pro-Igbo Groups To Honour Azikiwe, Ojukwu, Achebe, Others

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

Impressed with their contributions on the emancipation of Igbo nation, nine pressure groups in the South-East zone of Nigeria have concluded plans to confer posthumous award on Nigeria,s first republic president, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Dr. Akanu Ibiam and Prof. Chinua Achebe.

Also to be recognised by the group, are ex- Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Dr. Ebitu Ukiwe and Adm. Ndubuisi Kalu as well as Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum and Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji.

A press statement signed by the Interim Coordinator and Secretary of the South-East Self Determination Coalition, Samuel Edeson and Greg Echewodo, respectively, made available to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday, disclosed that, the award is aimed at encouraging commitment to the common good of Ndigbo.

The groups, which met in Enugu for the third time, agreed to work together to promote and defend Igbo interests.

They however, vowed to restore the lost dignity of the Igbo race without fear of intimidation from any quarter.

The event, which is slated for October 27, and tagged “Igbo Moral Rebirth”, according to the organizers “is aimed at inspiring the younger generation to imbibe hard work and noble virtues as packaged in the Igbo code of conduct”.

The groups include- Biafra National Congress, Biafra Liberation Force, Agunche Atuegwu Biafra, Omanbara Youth Progressive Vanguard, Biafra Volunteer Force, among others.