Group Calls for Citizen Inclusion in Restructuring Campaign

By Ugo Aliogo, Christopher Ike and Obianujunwa Ifediora

The Chairman of Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN), Mr. Allen Onyema, has called for citizen inclusion in the restructuring agenda, while urging parties pushing for restructuring to ensure that whatever decisions were taken should bring about societal good.

Onyema who disclosed this yesterday at the opening session of a five-day FEHN training on non-violence for members of AREWA, IPOB and other Agitators said people needed to properly understand restructuring to ensure they were carried along and fully participate.

He stated that the focus of the training was aimed at engendering better ways of doing things, while driving pan-Africanism which would bring positive change for the country.

He said that the expectation from the programme was that they would be able to entrench the values of peace and unity in the participants which would have a positive effect on the country, adding that the training would also feature examination which would qualify participants to attend another phase of the training in Emory University in US.

Onyema maintained that if the country needed to progress, the pursuit of peace and justice shouldn’t be left in the hands of government alone, adding that every Nigerian had a role to play in contributing their quota.

The FEHN Chairman appealed to federal government to engage various groups involved in agitations across the country through Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), stressing that arresting agitators would increase tension in the polity.

He further stated that injustice should not be allowed to linger for a longtime, but should be addressed, and the way it was tackled was very important.

“It is my belief that without peace there will not be any problem. We need peace and justice in this country and we cannot just leave to government to handle alone. You don’t need to be a President or Governor to contribute your quota to bring peace in the community. I’m doing this for the love of my country and ensure that she achieves its potentials. We can only do this if there is peace and justice. We are ready to create a new Nigeria.

“We are tired of the divisions fighting us as a nation. Any injustice we are facing as a nation has to be addressed. It cannot be allowed to linger on for a longtime. I engaged Nnamdi Kalu and we discussed very well. On my part, I’m helping the federal government to engage these agitators to reduce the tensions already created. This is costing a lot of money, but it is done for the pursuit of peace and justice. I’m not interested in politics; I’m doing this for humanity. ” he stated.

Related Articles