Eminent Nigerian patriots and persistent champions for a greater Nigeria are billed to attend the second edition of the ‘Handshake Across Nigeria” summit in Enugu on Friday.
The Governors of the five South East States would be led by their Chairman, Chief David Umahi of Ebonyi State, to the programme.
The event put together by a group of Igbo Tink Tank, Nzuko Umunna, will be co-chaired by elder statesman and Chairman, Elders Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and HRM Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor Tiv.
Other personalities expected at the event include the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, his Afenifere counterpart, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, President, of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Pogu Bitrus and Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Amb. Okey Emuchay.
Information released by Chairman, Nzuko Umunna Handshake Across Nigeria Planning Committee, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu indicated that legal luminary, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN will deliver the keynote on the theme: “Building bridges for a new Nigeria,” while the guest speakers are Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, spokesman of Northern Elders Forum, Dr Regina Amadi Njoku, Senator Shehu Sani and Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba Nation.
It further stated that the Sultan of Sokoto, HRM Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ adu Abubakar; HRH Amb Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Chairman South East Council of Traditional Rulers; HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife; HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha are royal fathers of the day.
Organisers explained that the “Handshake Across Nigeria” project is dedicated to expanding friendships and cementing bonds between Ndigbo and other nationalities of Nigeria, adding that it will again raise the decibel of our strength in diversities, as our great heritage for our desired unity and development.