In a landmark move aimed at fostering inter-ethnic harmony, the Chairman of Afenifere Lagos State Chapter, Chief Deji Willington, on Thursday paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, Dr. Jonathan Nnaji, at his office.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the high-level parley, which lasted for several hours, centered on modalities for collaboration between the foremost Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, and the Igbo Speaking Community towards deepening peace, unity, and mutual understanding between the Yoruba and Igbo population resident in Lagos State.
The discussions were described by participants as robust, frank, and forward-looking, touching on several areas of common interest including peaceful coexistence, community security, youth engagement, cultural exchange, and the socio-economic welfare of both ethnic groups in Nigeria’s cosmopolitan commercial hub.
Chief Willington, Chairman of the Afenifere Lagos State Chapter, expressed profound satisfaction with the outcome of the engagement, describing it as “a new dawn in Yoruba-Igbo relations in Lagos”.
He stressed that deliberate bridge-building has become urgent after decades of cohabitation marked by both cooperation and periodic tension.
“The time has come for structured dialogue and joint action,” Willington said. “The Igbo has contributed to the development of Lagos. Our traders, artisans, professionals, and youths live side by side. We must protect that legacy with peace and shared prosperity.”
In response, Dr. Jonathan Nnaji — who also serves as Vice President of the African Taekwondo Union and Executive Member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee — commended the Afenifere chairman for what he called a historic initiative.
He reiterated the commitment of Ndigbo in Lagos to peace, lawful conduct, and partnership for the continued growth of the state.
“Ndigbo are stakeholders in Lagos,” Dr. Nnaji stated. “We pay taxes, we build, we employ, and we contribute to security through our town unions and market associations. This meeting shows that dialogue works better than suspicion. We are ready for sustained collaboration.”
The meeting drew other prominent Igbo traditional and community leaders. Among them were Eze Tochukwu Anosike, the Eze Ndigbo of Ojo Central and newly installed Eze Ndigbo Gburugburu of the South West; members of Council of Ezendigbo in Lagos State, Eze Timothy Nwanoro, the Eze Ndigbo of Oto-Awori; and Eze Pastor Okey Anorue, the Eze Ndigbo of Igbogbo-Baiyeku.
The Chairman of Council of Ezendigbo, Eze Ephraim Nnaemeka, Eze John Nwosu, Eze Alex Sunday Nwoye and other Ndieze were unavoidably absent because they traveled out but will join in the subsequent meetings.
Dr Nnaji also received some other guests who paid him visit after he returned from abroad and among them were the Lagos market leaders delegation led by their President-General, Chief C.F.C. Obi.
Their presence underscored the economic dimension of Yoruba-Igbo relations, as markets remain major points of daily interaction between the two groups across Lagos.
Both sides agreed that the Thursday meeting was the first in a series of planned consultations. Subsequent sessions will be expanded to include more stakeholders from traditional institutions, youth groups, women leaders, professional bodies, and security committees from both communities. The date of the next session will be announced in due course.
Observers have described the strategic alliance as a significant step towards de-escalating ethnic tensions and promoting a united front for development in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre. Many residents expressed hope that sustained engagement between Afenifere and the Igbo Speaking Community would help prevent the kind of divisive rhetoric that often surfaces during election cycles and market disputes.
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