– The withdrawal of the quit notice on Igbos by the Coalition of Northern Youths (CNY) was greeted with applause by many Nigerians
– Many were however not aware that the peace deal was brokered by a prominent Igbo businessman
– Barrister Allen Onyema, chairman of Air Peace Airlines is said to be behind the deal
A report by Thisday newspaper has revealed that the chairman of Air Peace Airlines, Barrister Allen Onyema, brokered a peace deal with the Coalition of Northern Youths (CNY), paving the way for the withdrawal of the quit notice given to Igbos to leave the 19 northern states by October 1.
According to the report, Onyema is already brokering another peace deal with leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), that may see the group stop agitating for the creation of a separate Biafran nation.
Onyema was said to have reached out to Mohammed Danjuma, leader of Arewa Transformation and Empowerment Initiative (ATEI), to open discussions with CNY on how to withdraw the notice.
Onyema’s non-governmental organisation (NGO) Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN) and Mohammed’s ATEI, resolved to pursue the peace agenda under the auspices of New Nigeria Project (NNP).
Onyema reached out to the Arewa youths though his NGO, Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria. Photo credit: citypeopleonline.com
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ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that FEHN had successfully brokered the peace deal between the federal government and Niger Delta militants at the outset of the current administration.
One leader of CNY, who chose to be anonymous as he was not permitted to speak for the group, stated that following several telephone conversations, CNY leaders agreed to meet with Onyema and Danjuma in Abuja.
According to the source, the first meeting held on Monday, July 17 at the Newton Park hotel, Abuja, with over 50 participants including CNY leaders led by spokesman Abdulazeez Suleiman in attendance.
He added that representatives of IPOB, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), as well as those of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) were present.
His words: “We met for several hours. Chief Allen Onyema and Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed addressed us. It was a very warm meeting that served as an eye-opener on the need for peaceful co-existence.
“Several other persons from our end, NYCN, NANS, CAN, and IPOB spoke and laid their cards on the table. It was after that meeting that we agreed to rescind the order, even though the information was communicated after a chain of successive meetings.
“We were particularly impressed with the patriotism of Chief Onyema who, obviously a private businessman, committed tremendous time, human and material resources to making the meeting a huge success.
“His decision to single-handedly fly all participants at the meeting free of cost, and the offer to train over 50 members of ours in the United States, was one gesture which we at CNY could not but take notice. His kindness contributed over 90 per cent to our resolve to revoke the order.”
The Arewa youths had given the Igbos living in the north an ultimatum to leave the region on on before October 1. Photo credit: Premium Times
READ ALSO: Igbos highest in national identity cards and international passports collection despite agitation
Meanwhile, the family of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has said any attempt by the federal government to re-arrest their son will mean the government is arresting over 70 million Biafrans.
This comes after news broke that the federal government has commenced process to get the bail granted the IPOB leader by Justice Binta Nyako revoked.
Kanu has continuously flouted the orders of the court, sighting the government’s refusal to obey other court orders as an excuse.
READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest was stage-managed by DSS – Uwazuruike
Watch IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu speak on the activities of the group on ZENITHBLOG.com TV:
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