The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Friday, renamed the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the Indigenous People of Brighter Nigeria (IPOBN).

Refusing to categorize IPOB as terrorist organization, the Ooni said that the youths that constitute the membership of the group should not be discarded.

The traditional leader stated this when he visited Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to show solidarity with the people of the state and the entire people of Southeast over the recent security crisis that claimed many lives and property.

Apparently disappointment with the proscription and tagging of IPOB as a terrorist group, Ogunwusi said denouncing a people agitating over their right was not the hallmark of democracy.

According to him, “I am in Abia to continue the oneness we preach concerning the unity of this country and to continue to build bridges across the entire country.”

He faulted the manner youths were being discarded and branded terrorists for crying out against injustice in the land, noting that the youths who were involved in agitations were justified in asking for justice and equity in Nigeria.

“There is something that is bothering them that is making them to cry. We should not throw them away; we should draw them closer (because) the youths of this country are the future, the energy. They are the heart beat of this country,” he stated.”

According to him, the youths have inherent energies that could be tapped and positively channeled to build a batter Nigerian state; hence he called for proper re-orientation of the youths to make them drop negative tendencies, such as hate speeches and call for disintegration of the country.

Corroborating with the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that Nigeria should be restructured to ensure equity, justice and fairness, the Ooni said the Yoruba race shared the same view on the way forward for a better and all-inclusive Nigeria.

“We must chart the course of doing things with positive energy. I want to let you know that you are not alone in this; we stand by you positively in a very progressive manner. We stand by you that we all must come together to build a united Nigeria. We don’t want any war; we don’t want any disintegration,” he added.