From: Sola Ojo, Kaduna
As criticisms against the declaration by Coalition of Arewa Youths that the Igbo should vacate the North on or before the October 1 continue, a group known as Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has advised Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to, as a matter of urgency, convey a national youth peace summit.
The group believed that if this was done, it would help to nip in the bud the possible crisis that may surface after the October ultimatum issued by the Northern youths, saying all the youths across the six geo-political zones of the country would be brought together to discuss the way forward for the country.
The call, which was contained in an open letter to the acting president, and signed by the Speaker of the group, Mohammed Salihu, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, in Kaduna, on Thursday, observed that, there was a need to put an end to agitations from all quarters which could only be achieved by bringing interest parties together to discuss issues that affect them as a people.
The letter read in part, “we humbly write to present our suggestions to the present security threats occasioned by various agitations across the country ranging from Biafra Independence, Resource Control, Igbo Quick Notice and lots more.
“Your Excellency, of all these forms of agitations, the one that pose immediate danger to the continuous existence of Nigeria as a united entity is the so-called Igbo quit notice given by some Arewa youths which as the clock ticks, draw us closer to the 1st October dateline issued by these youths.
“There may be various security arrangements put in place to prevent any break of law and order but sincerely, we believe that prevention is better than cure most especially in a country like Nigeria, where our overall security personnel strength is not enough to man every part of the country considering our population and geographical spread.
“It is wise therefore, that a problem is best solved from its roots (Youths). Convene with immediate effect a national Youth Peace Summit that will bring together various notable youth organisations /leaders from across the six geopolitical zones of the country. We will talk to ourselves and find solutions.
“Regulate vigorously for the mean time, in the interest of national unity the type of information being published by various broadcasting agencies across the country as it relates to various forms of agitations”.
The group also asked Osinbajo to direct the various security agencies to checkmate and bring to justice any individual or group that make any inciting comments just as it commended the effort of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris for recently declaring the Arewa Youths that gave the Igbo quit notice, wanted.