Youths from the five South East states took to the streets of Enugu yesterday in support of efforts to end sit-at-home, saying the region’s economy was being crippled.
Speaking to newsmen, Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Worldwide, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, said the youths were “demonstrating the desire, resolve and endorsement of an end to sit-at-home in the South East”.
“We are Igbo youths and stakeholders that gathered from the five states of the South East to declare and endorse the end to sit-at-home. We acknowledge the fact that sit-at-home commenced because of our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s detention. It gained so much support in solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the beginning. But, as it is now, it is affecting us.
“Our economy is shrinking and its adverse effects are just too much. Miscreants and criminals are causing so much mayhem in our society in the name of sit-at-home, and we say no to all forms of criminalities in the South East. Thus, we are convinced that it is now time to end it, just as Kanu himself has said,” he added.
The South East Coordinator, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Chidi Nzekwe, said: “The institutions in the South East don’t operate on Mondays. Now we are talking about another 14 days of sitting at home. We want to encourage our youths and students to come out. Let us stand together to end this sit-at-home.”
On his part, the Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Enugu State chapter, Nnamdi Odo, stressed that the difference between the Monday march and others before it was the coming together of youth representatives and stakeholders from the five South East states, to speak with one voice against sit-at-home.
“Today, we are out to show solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s stand and the South East governments that are trying to end sit-at-home.
“We are concerned that our economy is being crippled and we the youths are now taking this message very seriously because, if we don’t kill sit-at-home, sit-at-home will kill us. God forbid”.
