A socio-cultural group, lsiala Ngwa Welfare Association has pleaded with Nigerians to allow the Igbo of eastern Nigeria to contribute their quota at the highest level to move the country forward.
The Abuja chapter of the group which consists of indigenes from Isiala Ngwa North and South local government areas of Abia state, dismissed as unfounded, insinuations that the Igbo would never again be trusted with presidency due to agitations by a section of the people calling for the Independent State of Biafra.
The chairman, Mr Howell Ubani, spoke Saturday in an interview with journalists at River Plate Park, Abuja after a football competition and physical fitness exercise as part of activities to mark the end of year celebrations of the group.
He said like other tribes who have been ruling and governing the country, the Igbo should be accepted and given the opportunity to occupy the position irrespective of any form of prejudice.
“It is unfortunate that after the civil war, the rest of the country feel threatened that the Igbo has a motive to rise up again against the country. But, this is not the true position of things. It is an unfounded fear. They appear to be having such believe because they have refused to accept back the Igbo with open heart.
“All the Igbo are asking for is accommodation, acceptance, benefit of doubt and fair access to govern this country like the other tribes, so that they can make positive and meaningful contributions to the development of this country,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to give the Igbo people the benefit of doubt and accept them without fear because according to him, no people who have ‘tasted the bitter pills of war ever want to engage in war again.’
The group, Ubani explained, is a welfare association of Isiala Ngwa North and South local government aimed at bridging the gap where social safety net does not come in. He said “we cater for welfare of members who are not doing so well by granting them access to finance for businesses and hopes to also reach out to other residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from next year.
