MACBAN AND IGBO COMMUNITIES PLEDGE PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN IMO

Reporter:  CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has reassured law abiding members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, (MACBAN) and the Hausa community residing in the area of the commitment of his administration to protect every live and property.

He gave the assurance at a peace building meeting held in Government House, Owerri.

The meeting was attended by Governors of Kebbi and Jigawa states, heads of security agencies, religious leaders, traditional rulers, Ohaneze Ndigbo and MACBAN.

Governor Hope Uzodinma, who underscored the need for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians irrespective of tribe or religion, said efforts must be geared towards addressing emerging security challenges facing the nation.

He explained that his administration had set up a committee to entertain complaints arising from both indigenes and non indigenes of the state to nip crises in the bud while calling on his counterparts, especially those in the north to do same as such measure facilitated relative peace enjoyed in Imo.

The Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and his counterpart from Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said they were delighted by testimonies from members of the Hausa community in Imo and that of cattle breeders on their peaceful coexistence with host communities, noting that any act of criminality should be condemned and perpetrators prosecuted.

The National Secretary, MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, assured the people of the south east of the peaceful disposition of his members, noting that association was in support of the fight against criminality in the zone.

The President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, said he was happy about the commitment expressed by the leadership of MACBAN and added that there was no substitute for peace.

Leaders drawn from the five south east states attended the meeting.