Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has appealed to the people of the South-East to adopt peaceful and diplomatic approaches in addressing the imprisonment of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Speaking at the 14th Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Day, held on Wednesday at the Ojukwu Memorial Library in Owerri, the minister said that despite Kanu’s conviction by a lower court, the situation is not hopeless.
She expressed confidence that constructive engagement could pave the way for his release from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The annual memorial event, instituted by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, founder of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), draws participants from across the South-East and beyond.
Ojukwu- Odumegwu cautioned against anger-driven actions, noting that violence has never resolved the region’s political challenges.
“We should not resort to knives, guns or internal conflict because of this matter.
“This Christmas season, let us meet our representatives in the National Assembly and our state governors.
”Let us ask them how we can work together to secure Kanu’s release.”
She further encouraged South-East leaders and residents to collectively develop a peaceful roadmap and engage President Bola Tinubu in earnest dialogue.
Ojukwu-Odumegwu also called for a minute of silence in honour of the late renowned journalist Frederick Forsyth, whom she praised for his commitment to reporting the Nigeria–Biafra civil war.
She also expressed worry about the declining use of the Igbo language among children and urged parents to revive mother-tongue teaching at home.
According to her, language remains central to cultural identity and child development.
The minister lamented rising insecurity in the region, describing it as a sharp deviation from the values upheld during the civil war era.
“Even in the midst of war, Ndigbo did not kidnap or kill each other for ransom. What we see today is strange and detrimental to our progress,” she said.
Ojukwu-Odumegwu said widespread insecurity—particularly the Monday sit-at-home directives—has crippled business activities, driving investors away from the region.
“Foreigners from Cameroon, Ghana and Togo once invested here. Today, many local and international investors have left because of insecurity,” she explained.
Drawing from history, Ojukwu-Odumegwu reminded the audience that her late husband, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, returned from years of exile through peaceful negotiations that earned him an unconditional pardon from former President Shehu Shagari.
She urged youths to embrace dialogue as a sustainable pathway to peace and opportunity.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ugwunna Ajaelu, reinforced the minister’s message. He appealed to the South-East to remain calm and united while pursuing diplomatic efforts for Kanu’s release.
“All hands must be on deck. With patience and diplomacy, his freedom can be secured,” Ajaelu said.
