THE United Nations has called on different ethnic tribes and groups in Nigeria to be more tolerant to ensure unity and peace in the country.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, said this in a statement Thursday.

Kallon noted with concern media reports of an ultimatum issued by northern youth groups calling for all Igbo people to leave Northern Nigeria by October 1.

He noted the ultimatum followed a sit-down-strike observed in the five states in South East Nigeria on May 30, purportedly meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Biafra.

“We have to work together to resolve peacefully any concern that different groups in the country may have.

“I am heartened by reactions of leaders from all over the country condemning this ultimatum.

“UN calls for tolerance and a spirit of togetherness in transparency to address the concerns of all the citizens in a peaceful manner,” Kallon said.

He said this should be done in such a way that no one was left behind in the quest for sustainable development.

The coordinator especially urged cultural and religious leaders to play their part in guiding the youth to settle differences peacefully.

Kallon also stressed the need to re-invigorate the National Peace Committee, as it could play a role in addressing the current concerns that impinge on the peace of the country.

He recalled that the committee worked tirelessly during the election period in 2015.

“Nigeria is a great country with immense potential to build the welfare of its population and lead Africa in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.



“This can only be achieved in an atmosphere of the rule of law and peace where all citizens live happily irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.

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“I commend the Federal and State Governments, youth and civil society leaders, security agencies, cultural and religious leaders for their efforts to promote peace in the country.

“The UN is ready to continue supporting Nigeria to build an enduring democracy in peace, prosperity and respect for diversity,”Kallon said.

(NAN)

THE Ijaw People Development Initiative (IPDI) has said the ultimatum given to the Igbos was North’s intention to end Nigeria’s marriage.

The National President of IPDI, Mr. Austin Ozobo, in a statement which partly read, said: “We want to laud the North for its readiness for the dissolution of the false marriage call Nigeria. However, if they fail to disintegrate as declared, we shall refer to them as cowards and mental unstable people.

“The Igbo and other Niger Deltans should kindly evacuate the North before October 1. Biafra and Niger Delta agitations are unstoppable. Nigeria has grown beyond keeping its unity through force.”

‘Quit notice more treasonable than IPOB’s threats’

Similarly, The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the umbrella group of the Niger Delta people, have described the quit notice by 16 Arewa youth groups in Kaduna to the Igbo as grave.

It considered the statement by the Arewa youths as tragic and more treasonable than the offence allegedly committed by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for which he was held in detention for about a year.

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A statement yesterday by PANDEF signed by Dr. Alfred Mulade, a member of the central working committee, stated that not only is the statement by the Arewa youths a potent threat to the corporate unity of the country, but the most dangerous statement ever made by any group to the unity and existence of Nigeria since the end of the civil war.

The statement read: “This statement by the Arewa youths, which strikes at the very roots of the Nigeria we believe in, is, indeed, an attempt to divide and break up the country whose unity is guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In condemning this statement in its entirety, PANDEF calls on all northern state governments, elders, particularly the Arewa Consultative Assembly in whose House the press conference was held, not only to condemn it but to take concrete steps to reassure the Igbo and indeed all Nigerians that they are free to stay in the North without any form of molestations.


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“PANDEF insists that this call by Arewa youths must be nipped in the bud, and the Federal Government should, as in the case of Nnamdi Kanu, arrest, detain and prosecute them for treasonable felony with immediate effect. In this matter of threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria, there must be no sacred cows.

“Whilst we do not support Nnamdi Kanu, and the various secessionist organisations in the South-East for reviving the call for Biafra; and whilst we have to restate that the South-South is not part of the said Biafra, we take the view that this regrettably dangerous statement by the northern youths is unwittingly lending profound support to the demands of the Biafran agitators, which is totally unacceptable to any patriotic Nigerian, and a flagrant violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

three:
The call by the 16 Northern groups on the heels of alleged involvement of Politicians courting the Army is in my opinion a strategic move to keep the Vice President from assuming office as the President in any event.

It appears some in the North are not willing to gamble with a PYO presidency at the risk of loosing the so called 4 year term. (Yar'adua's)

They flew the coup kite now they are provoking breakdown of Law and order. Pray tell what happens after a breakdown of Law and Order if not the Military being called in to quell widespread rioting. What happens after?

Your guess is as good as mine...

These guys are VERY smart

(PS imo this plan is not a today sometin oh)

Kastonkastroll:
UN, thank you but make everybody go answer him papa name o'jere. Forget our elites, we the youths are tired!!! Even a restructured Nigeria no go work because the hate will still be there. Ipod yoots must get their wish. Odua-nation will be born. Them Arewa people go form their Islamic Republic of Nigeria Hahaha!!! Niger/delta republic go dey too. Middlebelt/northcentral go form their own country.

No less no more!!! Make everybody dey go him papa house

HiddenShadow:
Kill Igbos today and watch the UN conduct referendum tomorrow

We dare the North to keep to her Oct 1st threat

He noted the ultimatum followed a sit-down-strike observed in the five states in South East Nigeria on May 30, purportedly meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Biafra.

9jakohai:
I keep on hearing the call for a referendum....as if it is call for chocolate.

If you want referendum.....get the constitution amended before you get there.

And to do that, you need two-thirds of the House and Senate, and two-thirds of the states to get such an amendment.

Sure...UN has spoken. But....referendum is not the business of UN in the Nigerian situation.

ObaKlaz:
Please Ipobians, leave the north. Go develop Otuoke. After all, it's a 'no-man's land'