By: Kate Obi/Kaduna
The President-General, Igbo Community Welfare Association (ICWA) Kaduna, Chief Barrister Chris Nnoli (Ochendu) has reminded Governor Nasir El-Rufai of his promised to include lgbos in his government, which according to the President, has not been fulfilled till date.
Barrister Nnoli requested Mallam El-Rufai to set up security posts and centers along Ahmadu Bello Way to junction road and other strategic areas in Kaduna towns where most of their people and others are doing their businesses to forestall the killings and looting by hoodlums during small or any crises in the state
The ICWA President gave the reminder in a welcome address at the occasion to mark the 2018 Igbo Cultural Day Celebration, held at Prison Staff Training College, Barnawa, on the 1st of December, 2018 Kaduna State, North-West, Nigeria.
He explained that the Association reserved this day of every October of every two years to Cerebrate and showcase their cultural heritage as a way of further uniting their people and strengthened the existing cordial relationship between them, the State government and host communities, neighbors and friends, saying the delay was due to security challenges in the state within the period.
According to him, the Association as part of activities to celebrate the Day undertook social, medical and health programme to empower and support the people of the state to compliment his own effort.
The President General however assured Governor El-Rufai that the Igbos in Kaduna and the entire 19 northern states appreciated him profoundly for his courageous act of being the first person to condemn the quit notice to Igbos in Northern Nigeria as well as order for the arrest of those behind the act.
He added that Governor El-Rufai’s singular act gave Igbos hope and strength as a people and reaffirmed the fact that every Nigeria has a right to reside in any party of the country without hindrance.
Barrister Nnoli also thank the governor for his current soft stand toward the residents of Gbagyi villa which majority of them are Igbos, saying his good work would surely single him out to success in due course and prayed God to bless his return ticket in 2019.
“We thank you so much sir, and in appreciation, have unanimously agreed to confer you with the Award/title of Ochi-Udo Ngigbo Kaduna, meaning peace maker of igbos” He stressed.
In his speech shortly after being conferred Award of Honour as Ochi-Udo Ngigbo Kaduna, meaning peace maker of Igbos by the High Traditional Rulers of the Igbo from different States, Governor El-Rufai promised to continue to protect lives and properties and everyone doing their legitimate business in Kaduna State including the Igbos and remain open.
The Governor opined that anyone who leave and do business in the state for years, automatically becomes part and parcel of the State and thanked Igbos for the Award of Honour and title conferred on him.
Cultural display, performance, such as dancing, Raffle draw, among other things marked the whole day Cerebration which attract attendant from across the entire northern states.
