Nigerian councillors of Igbo extraction in the UK meet to demand London acts over killings

NIGERIAN local government councillors of Igbo extraction in the UK have held a meeting where they drew up demands for the British government in response to the growing violence in their geo-political zone in a bid to pressurise Abuja to address the crisis.

Over the weekend, on Saturday June 26, the councillors hosted an international conference titled Cry for Help - Stop the Genocide of Igbo Ethnic Group. Bloodbath in Igbo Land: Stand Up and Speak Up. Holding on a Zoom platform, the conference was attended by several high profile UK politicians and policy makers, including past and serving councillors, mayors and sheriffs.

Also in attendance was Baroness Cox of Queensbury, a UK House of Lords member and crossbench life peer who has sat in the upper chamber at Westminster since 1983. Baroness Cox vowed to continue sending the message of the Igbo community to the UK government and also present  their questions to the British high commissioner in Abuja, Nigeria.

Baroness Cox disclosed that as a member of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, she will continue to support the concerns raised.   She added that she is well aware of the gruesome killings of members the Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria and concerned that the BBC do not cover these horrendous murders.

At the event, Councillor Donatus Anyanwu presented his PHD research titled The Extermination of the Igbo Ethnic Group. He used the occasion to remind the audience that just like Scotland, the Igbos must first seek federalism and then self determination will follow in due cause.

Attendees were brought to tears by a poem titled Prevail written by a 17 year old Aletia Amoa, who reminded the Igbos to be proud and speak up against the killings. In her presentation, Aletia wrote that the massacre will become history and self determination will prevail.

Politicians that attended the  conference included Councillor Nneka Keazor of London Borough of Enfield, Mayor Kate Anolue of Enfield, Mayor Ernest Ezeajughi of the London Borough of Brent and the Sheriff of Nottingham Councillor Patience Ifediora. Others were Councillor Donatus Anyanwu, the former mayor of Lambeth; Councillor Chidi Nweke of the District Borough of Epping; Mayor Victor Eni, the former mayor of Borenhamwood and Elstree and Hon Endy Ezenwata.

Community leaders from Igbo Global Leaders, Anioma Redemption Group, Anambra State Union UK/Ireland, Sisters Fellowship UK, Nanka Prestigious Women in Diaspora among others also attended the meeting. Councillor Nneka Keazor , the coordinator of the group, thanked Baroness Cox for her love, kindness and steadfastness in identifying with the cause and being the voice for the Igbo community to the UK government.