Follow Us on Google
…Council chairman preaches forgiveness
…To establish office for youth and security matters
From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The gathering of stakeholders of Igbo Eze North Local Government Area , Enugu State for a Security/Prayer Summit last weekend has been described as a bold indication that peace has finally returned to the area and a consolidation of the gains of security measures put in place overtime in the place.
Before now, some communities in the local government area recorded various security breaches that led to loss of human lives and properties with accompanying violence.
But after several efforts and interventions by both state and local government administration as well as other stakeholders’ engagement, normalcy finally returned while economic and social activities in the area also picked up.
The summit held at the Local Government Headquarters Pavilion in Ogrute, Enugu Ezike was well attended by sons and daughters of Igbo-Eze North, political office holders, traditional rulers, youth bodies, market and town union leaders, women groups including Clergymen, Heads of various Security Agencies in the Local Government, including the Military, NDLEA, Enugu State Neighbourhood Strike Force, Police, and Forest Guard.
Speaking at the event, the executive chairman of the local government, Hon.(Engr) Ejike Itodo bemoaned various losses in both economic, manpower and social resources which the council area suffered in the past owing to the skirmishes and unwarranted actions of some criminal elements in the area admonished all to embrace the mantra of forgiving the past and forging ahead to a united and prosperous Igbo-Eze North.
He reiterated the fact that no meaningful development and progress can thrive in an atmosphere of strife, insecurity and killings and called on the youths to embrace a positive turn around for good where they can be engaged in various productive ventures.
He pleaded and encouraged everyone not to cover or harbour criminals in their homes or neighbourhood, saying that doing so attracts full wrath of the law and also warned against giving false information to the security agents because of its implications and consequences.
He thanked Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah for his massive support to Igbo-Eze North on security matters and his determination to jumpstart another era of prosperity and development in the state through various initiatives in the last 100 days of his administration.
“The governor has always been responsive on any security issue in Igbo-Eze North. We don’t have enough resources to support the security operatives in Igbo-Eze North but because the governor has been there for us, we’ve been able to achieve a lot. We came here in one mind and accord to put a stamp to our resolution to lasting peace and security in Igbo-Eze North. Everyone knows the essence of peaceful coexistence anywhere in the community talk more of a local government where brothers and sisters reside. It is the bedrock of development and we thank God that a new dawn is here with us” he said.
The Summit Facilitator, Barrister Richard Ekeh who appreciated the various stakeholders cutting across all sectors of the society who attended the programme said the summit marks a day of covenant for peace and return to normalcy in Igbo-Eze North. He said the behind the scene consultations done prior to the summit recorded tremendous success and addressed some salient issues that led to security breaches in the area before now which he said are being handled both spiritually and physical.
In their separate contributions, Hon. Clifford Obe; Hon. Ejike Eze; Hon. Dennis Agbo, represented by Igbo Eze North Labour Party Chairman; Traditional Rulers and Heads of Security Agencies in Igbo Eze North present all spoke at length on the need to eschew insecurity and embrace peace in Igbo Eze North.
The stakeholders unanimously agreed that the Executive Chairman, Hon. Engr. Ejike Itodo, in collaboration with the people of Igbo Eze North stakeholders should set up a Committee on Youth Welfare that would be responsible for the welfare of the youths in the Council Area.
Likewise, a Security Committee that will be addressing people’s security problems and providing security assistance and advice to persons in Igbo Eze North would also be set up.
Traditional Ruler of Ogrute kingdom, Igwe Ogbonna Ekere and the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Gabriel Agbedo in their separate remarks lauded the strides of the youthful chairman of Igbo-Eze North, Prince Ejike Itodo whom they noted has not rested in his oars to see that security is restored fully in the area. The monarchs noted that the problem lingered owing to the fact that it was self inflicted and posited that the spiritual aspect of the solution should be taken seriously.
A youth leader from Umuogbo-Agu community, Barnabas Ali (Alihban) lauded the steps taken so far to stamp out insecurity in the area and promised that they would carry the message of a new dawn to the grassroots.
Military personnel who represented the Garrison Commander admonished the people of Igbo-Eze North never to go back to ‘Egypt’ giving example with a community in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu state where its prominent people are afraid of returning home because of escalating security. He charged the restive youths to embrace the new dawn noting that the people of Igbo-Eze North should celebrate the fact that one of their own has been appointed the Chief of Naval Staff by President Bola Tinubu.
The summit ended with a liberation prayer handled by Bro. Festus Onyebuchi amidst excitement, exchange of friendly banters and merriment
