The Association of South East Town Unions, ASETU, has stated that the litany of injustices against Ndi Igbo in Nigeria is to blame for the spate of agitation for Biafra.
The group President,Chief Emeka Diwe made this known at Enugu in his address during the South East Security Summit organised by the body to chart a way forward for the overall physical, economic, political and cultural security of the people the region.
The president who traced the historic evolution and role the town unions have played and continues to play in the region for centuries, stressed that the gathering became necessary in view of the vital role town unions can play in making Igbo land of the collective dream of the people possible.
According to the union also deemed it necessary to organize the summit due to increasing tensions within the region and the country recently especially as exemplified by the recent EndSARS protest which he said afforded youths the opportunity to express their displeasure against police brutality as well as the bad state of affairs in the country.
He regretted that hoodlums infiltrated the peaceful process leading to it turning violent and occasioning massive looting, destruction and arson. He expressed shock over reports that a son of the zone ordered attacks on security establishments and killing of their personnel.
Insisting that the times are no longer normal, Chief Diwe stressed that it was in an attempt to find answers to the burning issues of the present time, especially the negative stereotype of the Igbo man as belligerent, destructive, an expansionist, domineering and imperialistic that gave rise to the workshop.
He declared that the Igbo are the most accommodating group in Nigeria pointing out that it is only an Igbo man who devoid of discrimination in the entity called Nigeria, even as he remains the only person who builds and freely participate in fostering the progress of any land that hosts him.
While noting that the reality of marginalisation of the region has made some youths susceptible to manipulative tendencies of a single figure, Chief Diwe however, expressed happiness that a greater percentage of them and the entire region have vehemently refused to pander to the whims and caprices of one single individual.
The president expressed hopes that in line with proven capacity of Town Union address challenges and problems facing the Igbo society, the summit will not only address issues worrying the region presently but also, set agenda for the peace, security and prosperity of the people of the zone.
He equally stressed that beyond physical security the platform will also be used to look into other issues such economic, political and cultural security of the zone, adding that ASETU has consistently being advocating for investments in Igboland to help unlock the potentials of the people and usher in a reign economic growth and development that will create wealth and prosperity for the citizens and region as a whole
