…says Imo government insensitive to peoples plight.
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), has insisted that their 24hrs ultimatum on Fulani Herdsmen to vacate the premises of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State still stand.
This is contrary to the state government statement, which counters the group ultimatum. The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Chibuike Onyeukwu, said the COSELY, lacked legitimacy to speak for the state.
However, COSEYL, in a press statement signed by its President General, Chief Goodluck Egwu Ibem, accused the Imo State governor of being insensitive to peoples plight. COSELY noted that It is an aberration to allow cattles take over a University community meant for higher learning.
“A University environment is not for rearing of cattles but for only academic pursuit and studies”, the statement reads.
“We the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the apex socio-political group are alarmed and disappointed by the insensitivity of Imo state government to the peoples plight, welfare and security.
“The destruction of the peoples farmlands and crops simply means exposing them to hardship, hunger and starvation and the state government is not bothered about the welfare of its citizens. Many people have been sent to their early graves by the destruction of their farmlands and crops and they are left with nothing to feed on . All thanks to the pastoralists.
“Governor Emeka Ihedioha as the chief-security-officer of the state is duty bound by law to protect the lives and properties ( crops and farmlands inclusive) of the people . If nothing is done urgently , a time will come when the people will revolt against the continuous destruction of their crops and farmlands. The time to evacuate herdsmen from FUTO community is now.
“We call on Igbo Youths to halt further violent destruction of crops and farmlands by herdsmen and their cattles.
“The 24 hours ultimatum given to herdsmen to leave the premises of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) stands. The only persons permitted to live or stay in FUTO premises are students , academic and non-academic staffs of the institution. If you don’t fall within these categories, you have no business being in FUTO premises.
“The presence of herdsmen in FUTO premises is trespassing and it is a criminal offence punishable by law. Anyone found trespassing into FUTO premises will face the full weight of the law. The law is no respecter of persons. Everyone is equal before the law.
“The South East Governors forum placed a ban on the movement of cattles on foot. Cattles in the South East region can only be moved via trucks and vehicles.
“We wonder why they Imo State government are foot dragging to caution and prevent the destructive tendencies synonymous with herdsmen in Imo state.
“The respect, integrity and age-long prestige of the institution is at stake with the presence of cattles and herdsmen around the school premises. A first timer or a passerby might think that the institution have been converted to a cattle colony or a settlement for herdsmen.
“It is an aberration to allow cattles take over a University community meant for higher learning. A University environment is not for rearing of cattles but for only academic pursuit and studies.
“Students of Soil science , Agriculture and other disciplines that uses farmlands and crops for practicals can no longer do practicals simply because it has been totally destroyed by herdsmen and their cattles.
“If the Imo State government has the interest of the people at heart, they will do everything possible to ensure that the herdsmen and their cattles leave the learning environment of FUTO so that the students and lecturers can have a conducive and serene premises for learning. Noise and fear is a serious obstacle to learning.
“We have spoken the minds of Igbo Youths and our 24 hours ultimatum for herdsmen to leave FUTO premisses stands. We represent the will and aspirations of the people and we have just said their minds.
