Group Trains OPC, IPOB, Arewa Youths On Unity

A group, Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, on Friday began training for 45 youths from different ethnic organizations on how to foster peace and unity in the country...

The participants in the training, which started today in Lagos, are drawn from Oodua Peoples Congress, Arewa Youths and Indigenous People of Biafra.
The Chairman of FEHN, Mr Allen Onyema, while declaring the five-day training open, disclosed that it was part of his contributions to foster unity and ethnic harmony in the country.
Onyema, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Limited, stated that everyone must join hands together to ensure that the country remained one and united.
He said “we all know that there is tension in the land and agitations by various groups. This is bound to happen in a country of about 378 ethnic nationalities.
“I think what most people are against is perceived injustice or imbalance but the most beautiful thing is that most people want one, big Nigeria than a fragmented Nigeria.
“The present conflict can become a catalyst for positive change if we take a non-violent approach and refuse to allow ourselves to be used by common enemies to propagate their selfish interests.”
The group chairman was happy with the withdrawal of the Oct. 1 quit notice by the Arewa youths against Igbos
living in Northern Nigeria, stressing that was the beginning of great things to come.

He urged the government to continue to dialogue with the various groups to find a lasting solution to the agitations.

Onyema stated that the objective of the training was to Nigerians come together as one, united entity and also help to galvanise their members to unite and campaign for one united country.
According to him, the trainees will also be taken to the U.S. for further training at FEHN’s expense.
Ms Maria Davydenko, the Economic and Political Officer, U.S. Consulate in Lagos State, said the participants had a huge role to play as bridge builders in the country.
She said “this is an important time for Nigerians to come together and talk through issues.
“In the U.S., we try to talk through issues as much as we can and try to understand the other side.
“Nigeria is a work in progress and you are part of that project and must take up that role seriously.”
The training facilitator, Dr Bernard Lafayette from Non-Violent Conflict Resolution Centre, Emory University, Atlanta, U.S., said it was the best approach to resolving issues.