Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Government on Friday expressed displeasure over the viral video portraying Ebonyi people as criminals in Anambra State.
It described the video as purported attempt to tarnish the corporate image of the state.
The Commissioner for Information and state Orientation, Engineer Jude Chikadibia Okpor gave the condemnation when he received in audience the State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in a courtesy visit in his office.
He urged Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo to rise up to the challenge not only to protect the image of Ebonyi people but also Ndigbo in general.
Engr Okpor who called on the apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze, to remain leading umbrella of unity and progress in the the zone, affirmed that no Igbo man can attain the level of sainthood by tarnishing the image of his or her brother, but would summarily dent the collective image of the Igbo nation.
Engr Okpor enjoined the leadership of the group to use their influence in extending the content of their slogan, “ONYE AGHANA NWANNEYA” in propagating the unity and oneness of the people of the zone.
He described Ebonyi indigenes in all parts of the world as industrious, hardworking and law abiding people.
Okpo, who strongly condemned the criminal activities involving some Ebonyi people, however maintained that the activities of a few hoodlums cannot be used to generalise Ebonyi people as criminals.
He decried the use of social media in trying suspects instead of following due process through court of competent jurisdiction.
The Commissioner stressed that when the viral video gets out of the shores of Igboland, that it will not only tarnish the image of Ebonyi People but the corporate image of Ndigbo at large.
He therefore charged the state chapter of Ohanaeze to always strive to work in synergy with their members in other states to protect the corporate image of Igbo people across the globe.
The Commissioner further reassured them of government’s readiness to partner them to achieve the desired result.
The leader of the team and state president of the union, Doctor Peter Mbam, assured of the readiness of the union to partner the present administration in the state to contribute their quota in the development of the state.
He pleaded with the information Commissioner to assist in the media publicity of the activities of the union in the state.
