Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun State, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to consider giving Igbos “palliatives”, such that is capable of erasing the memory of the civil war.
Akanbi said this through a statement by his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem.
The monarch expressed the need to organise a unification conference to assess the destruction suffered by the Igbos during the war, adding that it would promote unity among diverse ethnic groups in the country.
Oluwo commended the resiliency and magnanimity of the Igbos towards Nigeria, describing the loss they recorded as enormous.
He stated that Igbos are major stakeholders in Nigeria’s technological advancement, innovation and invention.
He further pledged to visit South-east region to socialise and discuss the country’s unity.
“The damages incurred by the Nigerian Civil War of July, 1967 to 15th January, 1970 were monumental. The Igbos counted highest loss of human lives and properties. They are our brothers. The injury inflicted by the war is inimical to the unity of Nigeria. The feeling is still fresh in the brain of many victims and their children,” he said.
“The federal government of Nigeria led by President Muhammed Buhari should consider a national conference to assess and discuss palliatives capable of erasing the feeling and memory of the damages.
“I commend the magnanimity and resiliency of the Igbo. Despite the huge loss, they have moved on. Today, they are the leading industrialists in promotion of Nigeria’s technological advancement
“Calling a national dialogue will foster unity and heal the wound inflicted by the harm. We should learn from the past, forgives ourselves and forget. But for dreamed unity to achieved, the constituted authority of the federal government led by President Muhammed Buhari must lead the conference and render succour to the lead victims
“As a father to the nation, I patronize everyone. I’m the first traditional ruler in Nigeria to buy made in Nigeria Innoson vehicle. I’ve planned a tour to some Eze Ndigbo, Igwe and stakeholders to strengthen the unity of Nigeria. I am the Oluwo of Iwoland but I am also an Igwe,Obi, Eze in Yorubaland to all Igbos. Igbos are our brothers and sisters.” he added.
