Mr Arinzechukwu Awogu, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra, said that equity and justice were crucial to unity and prosperity of Nigeria.
Awogu, a former chairman of Ogbaru LGA, said this while receiving ‘Pillar of Ohaneze’ award conferred on him by Ohanaeze-Ndi-Igbo socio cultural organisation at the World Igbo Day in Awka.
He said Nigeria was founded on a tripod principle which gave equal recognition and opportunity to every region but regretted that a section had not been given the opportunity to contribute in the administration of the country.
The Civil Rights Activist said “there can’t be justice without equity, Nigeria as a nation, has continued to wobble uncontrollably because of her own internal irreconcilables.
“Nigeria took off at independence on a tripod, but now has only two of the tripod-stand, where is the Igbo-leg of the tripod?
“It appears they have been reduced to minority and inconsequential status by the unwritten post civil war policies,” he said.
Awogu expressed worry about the remand of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra in DSS custody.
Kanu is being remanded on a court order following his trial in a case of treason against the country.
He said Kanu should be tried expeditiously and treated on the merit of the verdict of the court in his case.
He called for the unity of the Igbo nation and urged that the time for the Igbos to speak and act as one people had come.
Dr Arinze Agbanusi of the Department of Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka who presented the award, said Awogu was a worthy son who had served the Igbo nation with zeal and patriotism.
Agbanusi urged the awardee to continue to work for the good of his people and replicate same at the national level as he sought to represent the people of Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.
Chief Emeka Udodeme, the National President of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Anambra State Chapter said the theme of this year’s celebration was “Ariri Akaria”.
Udodeme said yearly event organised by Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, was to honour those who had contributed to the development of Nigeria and Igbo land and pay homage to victims of the civil war.