Group postpones summit in honour of Iwuanyanwu

The Greater Igbo Forum (GIF) summit, scheduled for Oct. 9 and Oct. 10 in Abuja, has been postponed due to the burial of the late President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Ms Lois Jonathan, the GIF President, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

She said that a new date, venue, and time would be announced in due course.

She also said that the National Planning Committee for the summit decided to postpone it, following calls and advice from prominent Igbos in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

“It was suggested that the summit be rescheduled in reverence to Iwuanyanwu, who had already approved the hosting of the summit.

“The summit was aimed at attracting participation from people of Igbo extraction, stakeholders, including governors, ministers, National Assembly members, diplomats, and traditional rulers.

“It was designed to address fundamental issues of concern affecting the Igbo nation.

“Extortions, rape, hatred for Igbos in high and low, and other perceived vices and treatment meted out against the Igbos in Nigeria and Diaspora would be addressed,” she said.

Jonathan added that security problems that had bedeviled the region, such as illicit activities of unknown gunmen and kidnapping would equally be discussed during the summit.