The unprovoked attack on former deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, in Germany, last weekend, by some disgruntled elements, operating under the toga of IPOB, can only be described as an infantile display of crass ignorance. To me, no responsible Igbo man or woman would support such a disrespectful and disturbing development. It is unfortunate that some Igbo youths in Germany would present themselves as ready tools to be used for the ignoble purpose of denigrating the values of respect, decorum and temperance, which are core to the Igbo worldview.

To think that the ugly incident took place when the former deputy Senate president and a proud Igbo son was visiting Germany to partake of a highly revered cultural event – the annual New Yam Festival – is a bad precedent and a slap on the face of every right-thinking Igbo person (comfortable with the state of affairs in Igbo land). It is an affront on the high esteem upon which the Igbo culture is built and must be totally condemned. 

More so, Nnamdi Kanu’s endorsement of the nonsensical act coupled with his directive to IPOB members abroad to mete same treatment to South-East governors and Ohaneze president only signals the height of desperation by a frustrated soul to vent his spleen on a people he claims to be fighting for.

In an era when creative minds are working hard to re-orient youths and take them off all forms of anti-social behaviours, it is abysmally baffling that a self-acclaimed freedom fighter, in the person of Nnamdi Kanu, is positioning himself as a clog in the wheel of our collective progress as a respectful, civilised and industrious people.

The South-East Governors’ Forum, under the chairmanship of Engr David Umahi, has already released a statement, condemning the attack on Ekweremadu. It has clearly distanced itself from the activities of Nnamdi Kanu and his uncultured ilk, who go about embarrassing the Igbo nation under the guise of fighting for its liberation. Yours truly expect Igbo elders – wherever they are and whatever their political, social and religious inclinations – to key into the Umahi example:  they should condemn the sheer resort to waywardness and hooliganism. 

We cannot afford to throw away the gains we have recorded as a people in terms of engaging our youths with progressive ideas and thoughts for nation-building. The average Igbo youth is creative and asset to Nigeria and to the world. As a result, he should be guided to make his/her country and the world at large a better place. It is only through rigorous attitudinal change principles that the Igbo leaders can truly empower their youths and transform their lives in many positive ways. Sound parental upbringing remains the bedrock for the actualisation of this illustrious ideal.

•Nkama, Special Assistant to Ebonyi State Governor on Attitudinal Change, writes from Abakaliki.

Source News Express