Emeritus Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Chukwuma, has called on the Federal Government (FG) to apologise to the South East region and compensate them for the Civil War that claimed thousands of lives, News About Nigeria reports.
He made this call while speaking to newsmen, stating that until that is done, the banditry in the North will not stop.
Archbishop Chukwuma also noted that General Yakubu Gowon is responsible for initiating the war, adding that the General tried to apologise to the Easterners and that he birthed the ‘Nigeria Praise’ which he used as an avenue to revive the spirit of the people back from the Civil War, to reconcile people back to God, and to go on with one Nigeria.
He, however, demanded that the federal government apologise, maintaining that until an apology and compensation are done, the banditry, kidnapping, and killings going on in the North will not stop as it is God’s punishment fir what was done to the Igbos.
“The thing is that the Nigerian government should apologise because the Nigerian Civil War dealt with us in Asaba, it was a real genocide and we’re asking for an apology and more compensation as they do in other places.
“What is happening now in the whole of northern Nigeria – the banditry, kidnappings etc – is God’s punishment for what they did to us, yes! And until they apologize and ask for forgiveness, at no time will this banditry, kidnapping and killings stop. The blood of innocent people is crying and that’s what you see there. So until they apologize and make some restitution, the banditry and mayhem you have in the North will not stop,” he stated.
He, however, advocated for equality, stating that the Igbos should be given the opportunity, like other tribes, to govern the country.
“Nigeria should be a country for all of us, not a country for just one person. There should be no segregation, nobody should be neglected, and there should be equal rights and justice. Equity and justice must prevail.
“The Igbo must be given the same opportunity to serve Nigeria and corruption must cease. We must stop deceit in government. Parliament has been turned into a self-centered composition; there should be no sycophancy in government. Something must be done to save Nigeria from calamity,” he added.
