•Calls for sanctioning of authors and publishers

By OKEY MADUFORO, Awka

The Igbo Community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja has condemned the exclusion of Igbo history in a recently published book entitled “Living History For Junior Secondary Schools”.

The association Is demanding the sanctioning of the authors and publishers and the banning of the said book, insisting that it is a calculated plot to erase the contributions of Igbo people to Nigeria’s history.

According to a statement signed by the group’s President, Engr Ikenna-Ellis Ezenekwe, and Secretary General, Comrade Emmanuel Chinwoke Onah, the said book is a gracious distortion of Nigeria’s history.

“This omission is a ‘graceful distortion’ of Nigerian history and an ‘aberration’ that we cannot ignore.

“We demand immediate action from the federal and state governments to ban the book and withdraw it from circulation and also sanction the Authors of the book and the publishing company,” the association said in the statement, a copy of which was made available to News Express on Wednesday.

It strongly recommended the prosecution of the author and publishers of the book “for promoting divisive narratives,” adding that “it is viewed as an attempt to erase Igbo contributions to Nigeria’s history.”

“We view this omission as a deliberate attempt to erase Igbo contributions to Nigeria’s history and development, citing hatred and disgust towards Igbos and minorities.

“We urge all Nigerians to stand against divisive narratives and call for accountability from the federal government.

“We won’t tolerate attempts to erase Igbo contributions to Nigeria’s history and development.

“This is a call to action for all Nigerians to stand against divisive narratives,” the association stated.