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The Ebonyi Community (EBOCOM), Abuja Chapter, has expressed its solidarity with Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and the Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, while calling on all stakeholders to prioritise peace, dialogue and the continued development of Ebonyi State.
In a statement jointly signed by its President-General, Chief Idenyi Chinedu Edward, and Secretary, Comrade Elem Okoh, the group said it remained committed to the stability and progress of the state and urged citizens to approach disagreements through lawful and peaceful channels.
“We stand with His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State.
“We also recognise the efforts of the Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, and officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force in maintaining peace and security across the state.
“While citizens have the right to express their concerns and hold government accountable, we believe such engagements should be conducted peacefully and within the framework of the law. Differences of opinion should not become a source of tension or threaten the peace of our communities.”
EBOCOM said the relative stability recorded in several previously volatile areas of the state deserved recognition, while acknowledging that maintaining peace requires the continued cooperation of government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens.
The group said the governor’s emphasis on dialogue, community engagement and conflict resolution had contributed to efforts aimed at addressing longstanding communal and security challenges.
It also defended the governor’s recent remarks during the inauguration of newly elected local government chairmen, describing them as a call for greater responsibility and improved grassroots governance.
According to the group, elected officials at the local government level have an important responsibility to ensure that government policies and development initiatives translate into tangible benefits for residents.
“Governor Nwifuru’s message to the newly elected chairmen should be understood in the context of his expectations for effective leadership and service delivery at the grassroots.
“Democracy thrives when elected officials are accountable to the people and when citizens are able to express their views freely and peacefully. We therefore encourage all sides to focus on constructive engagement and the delivery of good governance.”
EBOCOM further highlighted projects and programmes it said had been undertaken under the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs.
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The group cited more than 295 kilometres of roads reportedly constructed or rehabilitated across the state, including urban dual carriageways, rural link roads and community access roads. It also referenced projects around Vanco Junction, the Ogbaga/Nwofe corridor and the Ezillo–Ezzaegu axis as examples of infrastructure interventions it said had improved mobility and economic activity.
In the education sector, the group highlighted the ongoing development of the University of ICT at Oferekpe/Agbaja and the University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering, as well as the construction of model secondary schools, recruitment of more than 2,000 teachers and the award of more than 1,000 postgraduate scholarships, both locally and overseas.
It also cited increased support for Ebonyi State University and other education-related interventions.
On healthcare, EBOCOM pointed to the reported rehabilitation and equipping of the state’s 13 general hospitals, improvements in primary healthcare centres, recruitment of medical personnel, provision of ambulances and expansion of maternal and child healthcare services through the state health insurance programme.
The group also listed the revival of the Oferekpe Water Scheme and the reactivation of the Ezillo and Old Abakaliki water schemes, alongside interventions in pensions and gratuities, youth and women empowerment, agriculture, traditional institutions, communal dispute resolution and housing.
EBOCOM said the projects and programmes should be assessed on their impact on residents and encouraged the government to sustain transparency, accountability and inclusive development.
“These are issues that directly affect the lives of our people. Roads, schools, hospitals, water projects, employment opportunities and social interventions should continue to receive attention, while government must remain open to constructive criticism and suggestions from citizens.
“We believe Ebonyi’s progress is best protected when all stakeholders choose dialogue over confrontation and development over division.”
The group called on youths, women, traditional rulers, community leaders, professionals, market leaders and other residents to contribute positively to the peace and development of the state.
It urged security agencies to continue to discharge their responsibilities professionally and in accordance with the law, while encouraging citizens to cooperate with legitimate security and governance institutions.
“Ebonyi belongs to all of us. Its peace and development should therefore remain a collective responsibility. We encourage every stakeholder to work for a peaceful, stable and prosperous state where disagreements can be resolved through dialogue and lawful processes.
“Our focus should remain on building a stronger Ebonyi and ensuring that the benefits of development reach communities across the state.”
