The group which prides itself as a socio-economic, political and cultural organization of Igbo speaking people in Enugu, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Delta and Rivers States of Nigeria and in the Diaspora, made the announcement after its meeting in Enugu on Tuesday.
In a communique signed by promoters of the organization, including: Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah, Prof. Nick Eze, Andy Okoye, Evang. Kenneth Ndukwe, Inno Igboekwe, Comrade Carol Ajuara and Rev. Joseph Ajujungwa, the group reviewed the activities of the Union in 2016 and also unveiled their programme of events for 2017.
“Igbo Improvement Union (Oganiru Ndi-Igbo) resolved to host an international pictorial and audio-visual exhibition and colloquium on erosion devastation in Igboland in order to draw local and international attention to this menace currently ravaging the ecology of Igboland on 3rd March, 2017 at the Universal Hotel, Independence Layout, Enugu, Enugu State.
“Igbo Improvement Union (Oganiru Ndi-Igbo) expressed serious concern over the ecological devastation of Igboland particularly the erosion menace which is being compounded by over-grazing by Fulani herdsmen, excessive deforestation, bush burning by hunters/farmers and indiscriminate excavation and unregulated building activities by quarries, government contractors amongst other unwholesome ecological activities that destroy the fragile soil structure in Igboland,” the communique noted.
They stated that the Union has set up a facebook page known as International Pictorial Exhibition on Erosion Menace in Igboland, just as they encouraged people of the zone to take pictures of erosion sites in their communities and post/upload them to the site.
“A team of internationally renowned photographers and video cameramen are currently on tour of Igboland to record erosion sites which will be exhibited at the event.
“It is pertinent to note that, erosion control experts are expected to take part in the colloquium which would be attended by presidents of town unions, traditional rulers and community leaders and public office holders at the national and state levels. Also invited are international organizations, NGOs and Ambassadors of foreign countries that are interested in alleviating this ecological disaster.”
The communique stressed that at the colloquium Oganiru Ndi-Igbo will release the guideline for communities interested in participating in the five million cashew seedlings that will be planted from this year onward.
The group emphasized that the driving force of the organization remains socio-economic, political and cultural advancement of Ndi-Igbo at home and in the Diaspora through self-help communal projects.
