The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the leading socio-political youth body in the South East, has welcomed the decision by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to call off the Monday sit-at-home order.
In a statement on Sunday, COSEYL President General, Goodluck Ibem, described the move as a significant and positive turning point for the people of the South East.” He also commended IPOB’s leadership for listening to the people and choosing the path of peace and progress.
For too long, the enforced sit-at-home every Monday has crippled the economic, educational, and social life of our region, the statement read. This cancellation is not merely a change in routine; it is a vital step towards ending the economic sabotage that has plagued Igboland. Our markets, businesses, and industries can now operate freely, unlocking the immense productive potential of our hardworking people.
Ibem highlighted the benefits for education, adding, With schools now assured of uninterrupted learning on Mondays, our young ones can focus on their studies without fear of disruption. As the West African Examinations Council examinations approach, this decision ensures students have the full time and safe environment needed to prepare, attend, and excel.
COSEYL also noted that the courageous decision sends a strong signal nationally and internationally that the South East is open for business. We expect that the restoration of normalcy and the commitment to peaceful economic activity will rebuild confidence and attract investors. The ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of our people can now flourish without the shadow of enforced lockdowns, the statement added.
The group urged all residents, youth organisations, market associations, transport unions, and community leaders to embrace this new chapter and protect the peace. We thank all who have worked tirelessly for peace. Let us seize this opportunity to rebuild, reinvest, and restore the glory of our homeland, it concluded.
