The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, has urged Nigerians to strengthen existing bridges of love, peaceful co-existence and mutual trust while eschewing unfounded bitterness and baseless hatred among themselves.

Ayatsa made the call in an address on Friday in Enugu at the Handshake Accross Nigeria 2, organized by Nzuko Umunna, an Igbo socio-cultural think tank group.

The event was used to launch a book “Nzuko Umunna Chronicles” as well as present and inaugurate the new executive of the group led by former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo.

He said that the existing bridge that binds Nigerians together as a nation was embedded in the histiorial and socio-cultural ties of the different tribes and ethnic nationalities in the country.

According to him, “as Nigeria people, we have started building these bridges a long time ago and we must continue and strengthen it for the mutual benefit of all especially our younger generation.”

The Tor Tiv said: “Nigeria as a nation needs continuous bridge building and the need for us to further understand ourselves as one, just as the Nzuko Umunna have called us all from various parts of the country together.

“The challenge of the country is the failure to continue on this bridge building processes and strengthen existing ties we have over the decades and centuries.

“We needed a country where we share mutual love and understanding; where our common resources are shared fairly among all Nigerians. There must be equity and fairness as well as a spirit of tolerance.”

Prof. Pat Utomi, Chairman, Board of Trustees of Nzuko Umunna, challenged leaders and elders in the country to strive to build bridges of love, peace and progress of the country for “the benefit of the future of Nigeria children”.

In his speech at the occasion, Utomi noted that notwithstanding the challenges, a new and prosperous Nigeria is possible, adding that we needed warm brotherly handshakes across the length and breadth of the country.

“We desire a country built on mutual co-existence and where Nigerians can live, do business and engage in other human enterprise anywhere in the country,” he said.

Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), in a keynote address titled: “Building Bridges of a New Nation”, said that the country needs a brand new constitution, which would reflect the wishes and aspiration of the people.

Ozekhome, a renowned human rights lawyer, said that there was a need for the rule of law to be supreme and for authorities to obey the law and defend the law always and not when it suits them.

“I am appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to use his good office to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu especially on health ground. The President has all the powers to do that,” he said.

Commenting on building bridges across Nigeria, Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, congratulated the new executive led by Prof.Nebo as well as the achievements of the group in its six years existence.

Obi, who unveiled the book “Nzuko Umunna Chronicles”, said that “people did not vote for me, but they entrusted their hope and future on me”.

According to him, we want to better Nigeria and make it a country where we can live and be proud of by kicking out all forms of poverty.

“A new Nigeria is possible and we can achieve it if we persist since the people benefiting from the old system that brought us where we are today will not easily walk away,” he said.

In a goodwill message, Sen. Shehu Sani, said the bridges being talked about are not physically constructed bridges but that of friendship, brotherly love and mutual respect for all in the country.

“We needed to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and being our brother’s keepers in the country and being patriotic always,” Sani said.

Earlier, the immediate past President of Nzuko Umunna, Prof. Chika Moore, said that the group believe in the peaceful co-existence of Igbo people with other Nigerians and “need for a prosperous nation”.

Moore, who said that the group operates under Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, said that it had used its rich intellectual base to continue to provide ideas and solutions to emerging issues facing Igbo people throughout the country.

In his acceptance speech after the inauguration of the new executive, the new President of the group, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said that his executive would be committed to the socio-economic wellbeing of the Igbo people and Nigerians.

Nebo said that the group would intensify efforts in its bridge building across the country and continue to build understanding and harmonious living of all Nigerians.

According to him, I am using this opportunity to join in appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, which will check the negative consequences his detention have cost the South-East.

“We will work for the economic integration of Igbo people and continue to encourage friendship among Nigerians,” he said.

The event was attended by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; the Deputy Governor of Imo, Prof Placid Njoku and Gov. David Umahi sent in a representative.

Also present were Dr Peter Mbah, Governor-elect of Enugu State; the Deji of Akure, Are Gani Adams, Aare OnaKakanfo of Yorubaland and host of others.

Other dignitaries were the outgone President of Nzuko Umunna, Prof. Chika Moore; former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih; His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo R. Opoko; Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu; HRM Oba Ayodele Adejuwon Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Ekiti State; Chairman Emeritus, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri; HRH Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Deji of Akure, and other Royal Fathers.

Vice Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Aloy Okolie; Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) represented by Ven. Prof. Ernest Onwasigwe; Chairman, Governing Council, Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo; Chief Tony Ani, SAN, Barrister Ikeazor Akaraiwe, SAN and Sarikin Hausawa Enugu, HRH Sarki A. Y Sambo; Hausa Community also graced the occasion.

Dr Peter Mbah and Mr Peter Obi exchanging pleasantries during the event

Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse during the event