Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to strive towards a better Nigeria where children can live without regrets. He made the call during the Handshake Across The Niger 2 event in Enugu, a project of Nzuko Umunna. Obi emphasised the importance of working towards good governance and peaceful coexistence between the Igbo and other ethnic groups in Nigeria. He warned that anarchy knows no class and once it sets in, it will consume everybody. As such, he called on everyone to work together to build a better Nigeria.
Human Rights Activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome, also spoke at the event, calling for the release of the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Ozekhome is the lead counsel for Kanu and has expressed sadness that the federal government has not released him despite a court order. According to Ozekhome, Kanu’s life was under threat when his home was invaded by armed soldiers, and he escaped to save his life. Ozekhome urged the federal government to do the right thing and release Kanu.
The Chairman of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, also spoke at the event. He commended Nzuko Umunna for its efforts to build bridges of peace across the country. According to him, the failure to build bridges has been a major challenge in Nigeria, and the country needs more initiatives like Handshake Across The Niger.
The newly inaugurated president of Nzuko Umunna, Prof. Chinedum Nebo, explained that the group’s focus would be on the economic integration of the Southeast and Igbo-speaking areas. The group aims to work with Ohanaeze Ndigbo to provide channels for cohesive engagement and advocacy for economic integration, health, and education. Prof. Nebo stated that Handshake Across Nigeria is a channel for continuous engagement of partners in the New Nigeria project.
The Handshake Across The Niger 2 event in Enugu was a platform for various speakers to express their views on the need for peaceful coexistence in Nigeria. The event was attended by notable personalities, including Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, and Human Rights Activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome. The focus of the event was on building bridges of peace across the country, and speakers called on everyone to work together to build a better Nigeria