* Says IPOB's Directive Against Igbo Interest
By Suzan Okenwa (Senate Correspondent, NASS)
Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa/NEPAD, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, has taken stock of the implications and the socio economic consequences of the sit-at-home in the South East zone and called for its immediate cessation.
Nnamani who was a former governor of Enugu State, represents Enugu East Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate. He bemoaned the continuous sit-at-home directive which has brought the economy and social life in the South East to its knees. The lawmaker also said the sit-at-home is not the interest of Igbos, arguing that "this is not who we are" .
He also condemned the attack on citizens going about their legitimate businesses on account of the sit-at-home. Senator Nnamani said the trinity of Igbo character is defined by igba mbo (hustle), akonuche (cot of wisdom) and njepu (sojourn), pointing out that the sit-at-home is antithetical to the innate Igbo tripartite traits and a betrayal of Igbo interest.
Senator Nnamani therefore wants the sit-at-home to be discontinued forthwith because of the continuous damage to the economy and psyche of the Igbo people.
He stressed that: “Most of our people live on daily income . Think of the market women who depend on daily earnings to feed their families. Think of students writing external examinations being denied access to the venues.
“How does enslaving our people, denial of means of livelihood add value to our quest for equity and justice? If others reject us, should we also reject ourselves? It stands to reason that this sit at home cannot be a way forward .We cannot abandon ourselves.
“In our struggle for equity and justice in the Nigerian federation, we cannot inadvertently inflict more injuries on ourselves by this sit-at-home . Let wise counsel prevail”, he advised.
Senator Nnamani who is a medical doctor and a specialist in foetal surgery, however called on all men and women of goodwill to prevail on the protagonists of sit-at-home to restore normalcy in South East Zone.
He expressed abhorrence for any agitation through violent approaches, saying that with tenacity of purpose and determination, the quest for equity and justice would be realized. NNL.
