An Igbo Youth movement under the aegis of Igbo Peace Movement (IPM) and Arewa youths Wednesday signed a peace pact in Awka

Speaking at the peace pact which was signed at a joint media briefing after a meeting between the two groups, the President of Arewa Youths, Alhaji Bello Maigari, and the Leader of Igbo Peace Movement, Divine Onyekachi, observed that peace and unity were critical ingredients to the survival of any great nation.

They said: “The Igbo Peace Movement, in agreement with the Arewa groups, hereby unequivocally declares her unwavering commitment to the peace and unity of Nigeria.

“While we agree that there may be valid reasons for demands from some groups in the country, we are also aware that there are laid down lawful procedures for presenting and addressing these concerns.

“We, alongside all well-meaning Nigerians disagree from using violence as a means of pressing our demands.

“The peace and unity of Nigeria is paramount and supersedes the unlawful agitations of few, who from all indications have little or no love for our dear country Nigeria.

“Collectively, as a country of diverse ethnic groups, we have worked so hard to make this country great and we will not allow some acts of lawlessness to throw us down the path of retrogression.

“Our strength is in our unity in diversity and only a convergence of efforts from all ethnic groups can make Nigeria reclaim her rightful place in the comity of nations.

“The Igbo are peace-loving and for the avoidance of doubt, we want to state that majority of Igbo are not IPOB members. We are law-abiding citizens and we will not destroy with unlawful actions what we have struggled so hard to build over the decades.

“The federal and state governments have taken the bold step of reassuring us of our unity love and oneness as evidenced by the recent visit of some Northern state governors on a peace mission in the Eastern Region.”

The groups called on MASSOB, Igbo Youth Congress (IYC), IPOB, ACF, NYC, Concerned Northerners (CN), etc, to take bold steps aimed at making Nigeria great, saying that the labour of the country’s heroes past should never be in vain.

The group further said: “We will do our best to ensure our great country does not plunge into anarchy. We hereby call on Ndigbo living in the nineteen Northern states to disregard any threat to their safety and to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation and, for our brothers from the North, we also guarantee their safety. Ndigbo are a peace loving people and will continue to be so, the groups on the platform of Arewa youths, Anambra State chapter and Igbo Peace Movement, expressed their commitment to the unity, peace and indissoluble Nigeria.”

In a communique signed by the President of Arewa Youths, Alhaji Bello Maigari, and the Leader of Igbo Peace Movement, Divine Onyekachi, the two groups agreed to take steps to ensure that the country would not be plunged into another civil crisis.

Stating that there could be reasons for agitations by some sections of the country, they sued for due process in addressing such issues.

They said: “Peace and unity of the country are paramount and should supersede every other interest.

“The country’s strength is in the nation’s unity in diversity and only convergence of efforts from all ethnic groups can make Nigeria reclaim its rightful place in the comity of nations.”

They also commended the Federal and State governments for taking steps towards reassuring Nigerians of the country’s unity as evidenced by the visit of some Northern governors on a trouble shooting mission to the South East.

They called on Nigerians to always think of how they would make Nigeria great instead of things that would divide it.