Disregard Viral Video Depicting Ebonyi Citizens As Criminals In Anambra- Gov Nwifuru

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki The Ebonyi State Governor Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has called on the general public to disregard the viral video portraying Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra as criminals, describing it as purported attempt to tarnish the corporate image of the state and charged Ohaneze Ndi Igbo to rise up to the challenge not only to protect the image of Ebonyi people but also Igbos in general.

Governor Nwifuru stated this through the State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engineer Jude Chikadibia Okpor when he received in audience the State chapter of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo in a courtesy visit in his office in Abakaliki. Engr Okpor who called on the apex Igbo Cultural Organisation, OHANEZE NDIGBO to remain leading umbrella of unity and progress in the the zone. He affirmed that no Igbo man can attain the level of sainthood by tarnishing the image of his or her brother, but would summarily dent the collective image of the Igbo people. Engr Okpor enjoined the leadership of the group to use their influence in extending the content of their slogan, "ONYE AGHANA NWANNEYA" in propagating the unity and oneness of the people of the zone. He described Ebonyi indigenes in all parts of the world as industrious, hardworking and law abiding people, and strongly condemned the criminal activities involving Ebonyi people and maintained that the few hoodlums cannot be used to generalize Ebonyi people as criminals. He decried the use of social media in trying suspects instead of following due process through court of competent jurisdiction, while stressing that when the viral video gets out of the shores of Igbo land, that it will not only tarnish the image of Ebonyi People but the corporate image of the Igbos at large and charged the state chapter of Ohaneze to always strive to work in synergy with their members in other states to protect the corporate image of Igbo people across the globe. The Commissioner further reassured them of government's readiness to partner them to achieve the desired result. The leader of the team and state president of the union, Dr Peter Mbam, assured of the readiness of the union to partner the present administration in the state to contribute their quota in the development of the state. He pleaded with the information Commissioner to assist in the media publicity of the activities of the union in the state. The Ohaneze, an apex body of the Igbo socio-cultural organization in the state was warmly received by the Commissioner and other principal officers of the ministry.