The Ebonyi state government has initiated a registration process for the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, in a bid to curb the growing agitation to restore Biafra and to make them economically independent.
State Commissioner for Economic and Job Creation, Uchenna Orji, said the empowerment exercise which is ongoing in 13 local government area of the state will extend to other states of the federation including Sokoto, Kaduna, Anambra, Lagos.
Mr Uchenna added that the state government’s initiative was set to create 12,000 jobs to youths, including women as they currently receive 250,000 each to start up a business of their choice.
He also stated that this initiative will increase the per capita income of Ebonyi citizens, reduce social vices, and boost the economic status of the state.
He said, “These IPOB youths are being registered in the Department of Education and Social Welfare in the LGAs. After the process, the state government will create a programme to train them in their chosen career.
“Those of them that have taken to the streets due to lack of job will be empowered so that they can be usefully and meaningful to the society. Those who are living and staying outside the state are equally undergoing our empowerment programmes.”
IPOB, a group seeking for a secession from the rest of the country, is led by Nnamdi Kanu, whose whereabout is currently unknown after a military onslaught on his community in Abia last month.
The group had clashed sporadically with soldiers who were there on an exercise tagged python dance.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, had on September 20, ruled that IPOB was a terrorist organisation while it also Proscribed its activities in Nigeria.