A SOCIO-POLITICAL movement, Fatherland, will host a meeting in which the troubled relationship between the two largest ethnic groups in Southern Nigeria will be addressed.
The group, which draws the best of professionals from across the country and in Diaspora is expected to meet tomorrow, January 15, being the anniversary of the day Nigeria witnessed her first military Coup led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu and other radical soldiers.
Dele Ogun, a London based lawyer, and convener of Fatherland group said the historic meeting will close ranks between the two ethnic groups. He noted that the first coup went away after being hijacked by reactionary soldiers an event that led to counter coup of 29 May, 1966, political instability and then the war that lasted nearly 30 months.
According to him, the war and its aftermath continue to dominate the bitter debate between Igbo and Yoruba people.
“Opportunist politicians have over the years, exploited the rivalry with a selfish harvest of parochial political fortunes to the dismay and detriment of millions of Yoruba and Igbo people who were naturally blood bound by circumstances of faith and commerce even in the midst of bitter rivalry.
He stated that the conference, tagged ‘Yoruba and Igbo Speaking with One Voice from a Shared Experience Wetie to Biafra will hold via zoom and it is expected to draw prominent Nigerian scholars and professionals.
National Light further gathered that January 15, 2021 coincided with burial ceremony of the last of the January 15, 1966 Coup plotters, Col. Emmanuel Nwobosi, who will be buried in his hometown Obosi in Anambra State.
