The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to establish an independent Judicial Commission of Inquiry (ICOI) to investigate the arson attack on the property of former Senator Frank Ibezim and the National Open University Nsu Center.
The attack occurred on the eve of October 1, 2024, and has been condemned as a “sacrilege in Igboland.”
In a joint statement signed by the OYC’s National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, and Secretary General, Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Cedric Nweke, the council urged authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The OYC expressed concern over the exploitation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by certain individuals in Igboland for illicit political purposes, stating that these acts aim to discredit opponents through criminal activities.
The group noted that the attack on Senator Ibezim’s home and the university center not only destroyed property but unjustly targeted a man dedicated to improving the lives of Igbo youth.
The skill acquisition training center at the university, part of a national initiative led by the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, was designed to empower youth in the Southeast zone.
OYC’s investigations revealed that the center was assessed for its suitability to host programs specifically aimed at equipping Igbo youth with vital skills.
The group urged the Southeast Governors Forum, chaired by Governor Uzodimma, to take collective action in rebuilding the affected properties and ensuring that such progressive initiatives continue.
The council appealed to Senator Ibezim to remain resolute in his efforts to uplift the Igbo youth, despite the setback.
They also called on Igbo youth to reject violence and property destruction, emphasizing that such actions contradict Igbo cultural values.
