Explosion Rocks Ohanaeze Secretariat

Explosion Monday night rocked the Akanu Ibiam Auditorium of Ohanaeze National Secretariat at Park Avenue G.R.A. Enugu Enugu.

The blast ripped off the ceiling of the building.

Property including furniture and electrical appliances in the Auditorium were also destroyed by the explosion, suspected to be the handiwork of arsonists.

It was gathered that the suspected arsonists sneaked into the secretariat very late on Monday night with inflammable substances and explosive devices and attempted to raze down the auditorium.

Our sources said security personnel at the Secretariat suddenly heard an explosion and thereafter noticed heavy smoke coming from the direction of the auditorium and dashed towards that direction.

The suspected arsonists, who had already ignited a section of the auditorium with fire, reportedly fled on sighting the security men.

Before the fire could be quenched, it had already destroyed a large portion of the ceiling and some furniture.

The arsonists were said to have escaped, leaving behind jerry cans of petrol and a bucket containing substances suspected to be cabide.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Enugu State Command, Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, said it was an arson attack.

Amaraizu said he gathered that there was an attempt by suspected arsonists to burn the secretariat but it was foiled.

“We were told that some persons came there late in the night on Monday or thereabout to commit arson, but they were stopped,” the police spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Youth Wing on Tuesday gave President Goodluck Jonathan seven days to address critical issues affecting Ndigbo or they may be forced to seek an alternative.

In a communique after an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Enugu on January 26, the Ohanaeze Youth Council expressed its displeasure with President Goodluck Jonathan, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who was nominated by Ohanaeze into the office and all Ndigbo working with Mr. President, on the shabby and insincere way, he (Jonathan) has handled issues affecting Ndigbo.

The communique was signed by the Deputy National President, Arthur Obiora, and National Publicity Secretary, Obinna Adibe.

Part of the text reads: “In 2011, it was our structures that were mobilized to ensure that he scored 98 per cent of South East votes and also got substantial votes in other parts of Nigeria.

“Yet, our genuine demands including the revitalization of the Enugu Colliery/ construction of a coal fired power plant, construction of the Azumini seaport, acceleration of the dredging/expansion of the Port Harcourt and Calabar seaports,  the exploration of the oil deposits of the Orashi and Anambra River Basins, etc have been ignored.

“After having audience with youths from other parts of the country who did less for him, Mr President snubbed Igbo youths despite several efforts to reach him, preferring rather to hobnob with some Igbo elders most of who may never appear at the polling station on the D-Day!

“The issue of ravaging unemployment which has hung most dangerously on Igbo youths has not been addressed till date, yet hundreds of billions of naira has been spent to empower Ijaw youths through the amnesty programme and other Federal Government jobs and initiatives. What have Igbo youths done wrong to be so neglected?

“The Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the only significant project the President executed in the South East after over five (5) years is only international in name, not in practice since it is yet to get to international standards in terms of runway length and other critical infrastructure. Hence, major international airlines in the world have shunned it.”

OYC regretted that the 2nd Niger Bridge has become enmeshed in controversy and the only Federal Government Bridge that would have a toll gate, whereas President Obasanjo kindly abolished toll gates about 10 years ago.

The group lamented that so far, only N10 billion, about 7.6 per cent of the total contract sum of N130 billion has been purportedly released, while the cost of the bridge has increased by over 300 per cent.

It further noted that the completion date shifted from 18 months to 48 months (four years), which implies that he (Jonathan) does not even intend completing the bridge by 2019, when he will be leaving office, if re-elected this year.

OYC continued: “Throughout his almost 6 years in office, the Enugu-Onitsha, the Enugu-Port Harcourt,

Aba- Ikot Ekpene and as well the Oba- Okigwe Highways  have remained the worst Federal roads in Nigeria. In fact, one lane of the Enugu-Onitsha Highway has been overtaken by weeds! Is this a sign of true love for Ndigbo?

“Ndigbo were the biggest victims of 2011 post election violence, simply because of the total support they gave President Jonathan. Yet, the Sheikh Lemu Report on the 2011 Post Election Violence was never implemented and virtually none of ndi-Igbo who were victims of the violence are yet to be compensated.

“Based on their security not being guaranteed by the Federal Government, ndi-Igbo in Northern Nigeria have gradually started fleeing back to Ala-Igbo thereby becoming Internally Displaced Persons.

“Today, Ala-Igbo is being torn apart, basically because of President Jonathan’s re-election bid.”