The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peace

  • Monarch urges politicians on peace

    Monarch urges politicians on peace

    The Ona of Abaji and chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council of chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, had urged politicians in the area to play politics according to the rules of the game without any rancor or acrimony.

    Yunusa, who spoke when the FCT All Progressive Congress (APC) senatorial candidate, Senator Sidi Ali, the party House of representatives candidate, Alhaji Zakari Angulu Dobi, and their supporters visited the monarch at his palace to seek for his blessings towards the general election.

    According to the monarch, any child who is going out to look something good either for himself or for the entire society, must surely go to seek for his father’s blessing irrespective of any background he or she comes from.

    “So I want to  appeal to all of you here to advised all your supporters to avoid any abusive or provocative comments that may ignite any violent reaction from opponent, as God gives power to who he wishes and take it anytime right from the day such person was born, “ he said.

  • World Peace: Religious leaders converge in Australia

    In a bid to end terrors across the world, religious representatives have converged in Australia for a three-day retreat.

    Representatives from: Christian, Anglican, Islam, Buddhism, they were enlightened that as religious leaders, who sermon ideas and philosophy, that they should be aware of their roles and missions.

    The meeting of the religious leaders was on discussion for Peace and Alliance of Religions that convened as another stepping stone for peace. This was a continuation of the work started at the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit, which was hosted by Heavenly World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) last September in Seoul, South Korea. The retreat was held in three Australian cities.

    The religious leaders through a video by HWPL Chairman, Man Hee Lee, found out the most trustworthy teaching by comparing every religious book. They were also enlightened that as religious leaders, who sermon ideas and philosophy, that they should be aware of their roles and missions.

    According to Jennifer Lee, host of the meeting: “It is very difficult to talk about what they really have in mind while other religious people are all around you.

    “But as they look at their faces and share about their thoughts more and more, they began to understand each other and found out that actually, most conflicts were happened because religious misunderstanding and got confident that it can be solved,” she concluded.

     

     

  • Warring Rivers communities give condition for peace

    Warring Rivers communities give condition for peace

    The people of  Ekporo and Ogu, two neighboring communities in Eleme and Ogu/Bolo local government areas of Rivers State, have for several years been fighting over the ownership of a boundary land.

    However, Niger Delta Report gathers that hope for return of peace to the crisis of ravaged area has brightened, as both communities have resolved to end the killings and self-inflicted devastation to pave the way for peace.

    The Paramount Ruler of Ekporo Community, His Royal Highness, Chief Samuel Obe, like most of his subjects, has great expectation and hope about the deal. He said after several killings, destruction of property and bitterness between the two communities, the Police Committee has succeeded in creating a congenial atmosphere between the two rival communities.

    He said as the traditional ruler of Ekporo, he is representing his people in the peace deal  while  the Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Council of Chiefs, Chief Mark Derefaka is the representatives Ogu.

    The monarch noted that both parties have agreed to meet, on peaceful resolution of the misunderstanding.

    He said: “But the position of both communities will serve as panacea to enduring peace and security in the area. One of the position is that the State Boundary Adjustment Commission should be prevailed upon to critically and expeditiously look into the land dispute in conjunction with the representatives of the two communities and their Local Government Chairmen, with a view to arriving at a consensus and permanently laying this land dispute to rest in the interest of all. All necessary arrangement should be made for the people of Ekporo to return to their community and settle down.

    “The remains of persons who lost their lives in the communities as a result of the crisis that are still in various mortuaries must be urgently buried with security agents to be present to monitor the burial ceremonies on both sides. This will help to calm down frayed nerves. The two Local Government Councils Eleme and Ogu/Bolo should undertake to bear the cost of befitting burials for the dead on each side.”

    The monarch said some of the basic things demanded by Ekporo people include: the end of   series of attacks on them and their lands which have been allegedly grossly trespassed and forcefully taken by the Ogu people.

    “They claim that their sons were murdered in the seventies and nineties and last year, 2013. They stated also that in the course of the crises, their houses, farm lands and crops were destroyed. We want immediate arrest of the persons listed in their several petitions before the Rivers State Police Command and commencement of full scale and thorough investigations of same.  We want immediate stopping and removal of building and other structures on Ekporo land by the Ogu people.  Utter displeasure over use of the name “kporo” while referring to Ekopro (Ancient) community by Ogu people. (4) The establishment of a special security post for the safety and protection of Ekporo people.”

    Conversely, the Ogu people, through Chief Derefaka, demanded that firstly, one Inspector Franklin Nwiba of Ekporo who allegedly  Pastor John Isaac and kidnapped others should be arrested and prosecuted. Secondly, that Ekporo should finance the burial of Pastor John Isaac while the three kidnapped Ogu people should be released to them.

    “Ekporo should stop disturbing Ogu whenever they are carrying out developmental projects and to confine themselves to settlement 99 and not to encroach on settlements 96, 97, 98, 100, 101. (4) That Ekporo should be made part of Ogu/Bolo LGA for permanent peace to reign.  Since settlement 99 is Okirika territory on Ogu land. Ekporo to respect the Federal Supreme Court Judgment of 1958, and finally, that any peace agreement reached in this discussion panel should be signed by both parties for permanent peace to reign in the area.”

    After listening to both parties the committee recommended that all necessary arrangement should be made by government through the assistance of security agencies for the people of Ekporo to return to their community and settle down. They also agreed that the remains of persons who lost their lives in the communities as a result of the crisis, that are still in various mortuaries must be urgently buried with security agents to be present to monitor the burial ceremonies of  both sides.

    It was noted that the two local government councils – Eleme and Ogu/Bolo – should bear the cost of befitting burials for the dead on each side. And that the ongoing inter-community peace discussion process be closely monitored by the Rivers State command Intelligence Bureau and the progress reported to the Commissioner of Police for necessary action.

    NDR though noted that the stern proviso by both parties, has led to concern that the return of total peace may yet be a long way away. A source close to the both sides revealed that the positions canvassed have been the same over time. But this has failed to dim the hopes of indigenes of both communities, particularly those who have been living in exile and pains since October 2013 when the last crisis broke out in the area.

    The Amanyanabo of Ogu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty N.D. Ibiebele Nimenibo, Loko IX, was also optimistic about the deal as he revealed that his kingdom has continually sought for the peace.

    “Why can’t we  seek for peace,  my  daughter  is married to an Eleme man that means nothing could make me  not to accept peace deal by anybody to return peace in the area.  Each time there was crisis I will always plead with the youths of my kingdom not to return evil for evil even when Ekporo people are the ones causing trouble against my people.  The last attack that took place in the community I went to the media houses to announce that the people of Ekporo should come back to the community.  Ekporo is a neighbouring community before now we lived like brothers.  As the king of my kingdom I can testify anywhere that their fathers before the war and immediately after the war, we were living as one and peaceful neighbours.”

  • Oyo: Between peace and violence

    It is good to appraise the state of peace in Oyo State, as opposed to what it was before now. The world knows that the state was a bedlam before Governor Abiola Ajimobi took over the reins of office on May 29, 2011. Violence of the most horrendous form was in place. The violence that the state witnessed under Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala was worse than that of Hiroshima and Nagazaki. The typecast of the state was that of a state of filth and brigandage.

    True to his promise, the governor hit the ground running by proscribing the reactionary NURTW on June 6, 2011 as an aftermath of the violence that erupted at Iwo Road the previous day in which 20 people died. The governor did not allow any of the factions to operate until the national leadership of the union undertook to whip the warlords into line. To further instill sanity in the system, the governor inaugurated a joint security patrol squad on December 9, 2011, codenamed Operation Burst; whose personnel were deployed to the six geo-political zones of the state. Buoyed by the donation of three Armoured Personnel Carriers, 117 operational vehicles and seven power bikes by the state government, the alignment of forces restored peace and security in the state.  To further boost the morale of the police, the governor refurbished grounded police patrol vans. The governor also established the Oyo State Security Trust Fund to engender public-private partnership on security in the state.

    The concomitant effect of the governor’s efforts became manifest when more than eight industrial giants were attracted to the state. In a bid to further attract local and foreign investors, including in the agriculture sector, the government granted concession of between 70 and 90 per cent on land acquisition. Also, the government granted a substantial tax holiday for up to seven years to eligible industries.

    It is gratifying to know that industries such as Shoprite, Agric Tech, Oriental Foods, Joy Foods, Rahvet International Limited, Sajrom Farm Limited, Palm Royale Farm, Fedkot Nigeria Limited, HaulTrac Nigeria Limited, UPDC, HPC Architecture and Engineering Limited and Kamal Milk have berthed in Ibadan following the congenial environment. None of these giant companies could have come to the state when Ladoja and Akala’s governments, renowned for unbridled violence, were in place. The bespatterd body of a renowned anvil of past governments and their faithful, Eleweomo, whose gory imagery reminds one of allegation of former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin’s complicity is enough for any sane person never to wish for a return to those gory old days.

    According to Ajimobi, the reversal of the old order of violence had generated close to one million direct and indirect employments for citizens of the state. In a similar vein, the National Bureau of Statistics put the capital inflow into the state at approximately $3.49 million in its third quarter report for 2014. This signaled an increase of 697 per cent when compared with the $500,000 recorded between the first and second quarter of the year.

    That only four murder cases were recorded in 2014 as listed in the State Police Command Crime Rates Statistics for the year pales into insignificance when compared with the 121 cases before 2011. Oyo State was also said to have recorded only four armed robbery incidents in the whole of 2014, with none affecting the banks. The only attempt to rob a new generation bank in Bodija was repelled by men of Operation Burst. Three kidnap cases were recorded as against 45 before 2011. The statistics also indicated that no single case of murder, arson or grievous harm and wounding was reported at any police formation in 2014.

    In acknowledgment of Governor Ajimobi’s peace-building efforts, the governor bagged an award as the Best Governor on Conflict Resolution in Nigeria from the Security Watch Africa, on October 19, 2012 in Ghana.

    It is equally not by happenstance that the British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Carter, recognized that “Ibadan is rapidly developing. It is very pleasant for me to be in the city that is fast looking into the future.” He was reported to have made the comment during a visit to Governor Ajimobi, as reported in the October 10, 2013 edition of The Nation newspaper. During the parley, the governor was quoted to have told his guest that the New York Times listed Oyo State as one of the preferred destinations for investors in Africa due to the ‘peaceful environment, availability of infrastructure and landmass.’

    Also in the June 19, 2013 edition of The Nation newspaper, one of the widows of the deceased enfant terrible, Bose Adedibu, a staunch PDP member said, “In all honesty, without being biased Governor Ajimobi is doing well. There is peace and security now compared with the violence and thuggery that used to be perpetrated by street urchins. I remember vividly that at that time, the people of Oyo State lived in perpetual fear of insecurity. But now, everywhere is peaceful and people are going about their businesses without fear of molestation.”

    However, security agents should be commended for curtailing the crisis in the Born Foto and Popoyemoja areas of Ibadan in November/December 2014, which was instigated by street urchins to truncate the pervading peace in Oyo State.

    For us in the state, the story of our horrendous past in the hands of past governments of the state is not a fluke, even though it reads like one from Hammer House of Horror. It was a period of our lives that we will not pray to relive. If Nigeria were a country where statistics were held seriously, by now, we would have been overwhelmed by the number of deaths recorded between the two regimes. Hundreds of families who lost their breadwinners in the fracas or the hundred others who were felled by stray bullets are living testimonies of the reign of terror of the past.

    Like Fayose Ayodele did pre-election in Ekiti State, the contenders for Agodi Government House who were principals of the violence, have literally been campaigning that they are now ‘born again’. The tenuousness of such promise can be seen in the state of things in Ekiti now when Fayose beguiled the people to vote for him.

    As the February 28, governorship election beckons, the choice before the electorate is between the peace and industrial development associated with the Ajimobi’s government and the violence and brigandage that reigned supreme when two of his two major contenders ruled the state as governors. Like in the holy writ, the people of Oyo State would on February 28, , choose whom they shall vote for: the spirit of dove or Belzeebub and his violence.

     

    • Inakoju teaches in a secondary school in Ibadan.

     

  • Peace returns to Ipetumodu, Ashipa as warring communities sheath sword

    Peace returns to Ipetumodu, Ashipa as warring communities sheath sword

    After nearly two weeks of hostilities, which left many people injured, the warring communities of Ipetumodi and Ashipa in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun  State have finally embraced peace, following the intervention of the state government. ADESOJI ADENIYI reports.

    Peace has finally returned to the two warring communities of Ipetumodu and Ashipa in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State. The two communities have been at each other’s throats for sometimes now, following a dispute over their boundary. Though there is relative peace after the intervention of the Osun State Government, the residents are yet to recover from the losses they recorded during the clash that started penultimate Wednesday. Shops were still under lock and key and farmers not on their farms. It was gathered that some of those, who fled the sleepy town in the wake of the bloody clash are yet to return home.

    More than 20 people reportedly had various degrees of injuries with some of them suffering severe machete cuts. The warring communities were fighting following the location of a new market in Ipetumodu which the people of Ashipa were allegedly dissatisfied with because they said it was constructed on their land.

    During the fracas, an indigene of Ipetumodu was allegedly shot while one of the hostels built in between the two communities by the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba James Adegoke Adedokun for students of a tertiary institution in the area was allegedly burnt by some angry people from Ashipa.

    Apart from the hostel, many houses were also burnt in the two communities while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. It took the timely deployment of security agents drawn from the Mobile Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to prevent a further degeneration of the situation.

    When The Nation visited the two communities over the weekend, there were still relics of the bloody dispute. In Ipetumodu, an armoured personnel carrier (APC) was stationed in front of the Apetumodu Palace and there was still a heavy presence of mobile policemen to curb any disorder. Burnt shops and houses were in sight, while markets and some residential houses were under lock and keys. Broken bottles used freely during the fracas by the warring parties were still scattered by the road side.

    Ashipa town was deserted except for very few people who gathered in groups to review events of the past week and a half.ý

    Some residents of the two communities who spoke with The Nation were still bitter about what happened even as they traded accusations over who was at fault. For example, a leader in Ashipa town, ýOmotoso Oyewole , and the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Barr. Afolabi Adedeji, expressed regrets over the development but on behalf of their communities blamed the other party.

    Perhaps, the most painful part of the crisis was the burning of the student’s hostel by irate youths, as they knew nothing about the crisi over the disputed boundary.

    A student, ýAdeyemo Adetoro, who was a victim, lamented the loss of their personal belongings to the ugly incident. According to him “we all had to run for our dear lives, leaving all we had in the hostel. We only came back to see that the hostel had been burnt.” ý

    Mobile policemen are still positioned at every strategic point and everywhere was silent with no sight of residents around the communities, especially in Ashipa.

    Ipetumodu and Ashipa which are about 40 minutes drive from Osogbo, the state capitalý,ý ýbefore the clash had been in peaceful co-existence, intermarrying and engaging in commercial activities despite the existence of the age-long boundary problem.

    Though the police have arrested no fewer than 14 suspects from both sides of the clash, the state government seemed more concerned about settling the land dispute amicably between the two communities.

    Last week, the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola summoned the leaders of the two warring communities to a meeting, where after a long discussion with them, he made them to embrace one another to demonstrate they have agreed to sheath their swords. ýAt the meeting, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba James Adegoke and the representative of the Alashipa of Ashipa, Ojediran Olaleke, other chiefs and leaders of the township associations of both communities made a pledge for a commitment to peace. ý

    Aregbesola charged the two warring communities to ensure promotion of communal peace and progress which is one of the cardinal programmes of his administration or face government sanction.

    The governor also urged the monarchs and leaders of the two communities to warn the youth in their areas not to further engage in acts that could further jeopardise the peace of the communities and the state at large. ýHe told them to always uphold the ethos of ‘Omoluabi’ which the state is known for, saying that development can only thrive in an atmosphere where there is peace and unity.

    However, Aregbesola called on security agencies to comb the nooks and crannies of the communities to recover arms that were not licenced in a house-to-house search to forestall further use of weapons in future. He also pointed out that a committee will be set up look into the remote cause(s) of the crisis and proffer solution to the problems identified by the leaders of the two communities.

    He held that the two communities got it wrong by resorting to violence instead of dialogue, adding that it was regrettable that they were fighting when the state is going through massive development of infrastructure. ýThe governor disclosed that it will be a bad signal for investors who are thronging Osun on a daily basis to be faced with the issue of communal clashes, warning that the state government will not hesitate to come down heavily on erring communities. ý

    According to him, “It is so sad that this is happening at a point that investors are coming in into the state on a daily basis and your communities have decided to solve your differences through fight which we have all seen here as unnecessary. ýWith the on-going clash in your domains commercial activities have been brought to a halt and property destroyed, student who have nothing in your dispute are made to bear the brunt by the burning of their hostel. Why should students be given the opportunity to have a bad impression about your communities? ýI am not happy that this is happening in our land, it doesn’t send a good signal, shooting of gun doesn’t do us any good; we should find a lasting solution to these happenings. ýThings like a market day should not cause problem. ýI want to use this opportunity to beg the two communities to allow peace to reign from now on, we should maintain status quo till the committee we are going to set up comes out with its recommendations. ýHenceforth, any of the two communities found wanting will be seriously dealt with, because we will not allow anything short of peace and security in the state.” Aregbesola said

  • Peace accord and its question marks

    SIR: Since the signing of the peace accord two weeks ago several cases of violent attacks have been recorded across the country in the course of the campaigns for the February elections. Three of such incidents bear mentioning here. The day the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari flagged off his presidential campaign in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at least one person was shot dead while several others sustained injuries when party members and supporters travelling to the venue of the rally where ambushed and attacked by ‘’unknown’’ gunmen. The party’s offices in Rivers State have been similarly attacked, allegedly with bombs. Also, President Jonathan’s convoy was reportedly stoned last week in Kano and Bauchi while on a campaign visits to the states. These are clearly acts of physical violence in obvious contradiction to, and negation of, the spirit and letter of the peace accord signed in Abuja.

    Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State last week committed what would, perhaps, go down in the history of electioneering campaigns in Nigeria as abomination when he caused to be published on the front page of The Punch an advert wishing the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, dead. Such acts, no doubt, do much violence to the sensibilities of all Nigerians who support the Buhari bid for the presidency. Even though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, have since distanced themselves from the advertisement and its author/sponsor, it is an act of violence which puts a big question mark on the commitment of the party and its members to the peace accord it signed to be of good behaviour both in words and actions.

    Peace accord notwithstanding, Nigerian politicians will always be abusive while campaigning. Their members are also more often than not fanatical in their support for the candidates. It is, therefore, easy to incite them especially where they feel inadequate or unsure of electoral victory. This can be overcome if political leaders continually remind their members and followers that electioneering need not be violent if the aim is to gain power for the good of the people. Those who seek to serve must ensure that fellow citizens are not dehumanised and traumatised on alter of gaining power. In spite of what has happened already, I look forward to a free, fair and credible election on February 14 only if the electoral umpire, INEC, dots its ‘’I’s and crosses its ‘’t’s very well. It must live up to the true meaning of its name as an independent umpire. It must ensure that those who win do so squarely while those who lose do so fairly. This is the only way winners and losers will embrace themselves as they did at the Abuja peace accord signing.

    • Nasamu Jacobson,

    Benin City, Edo State.  

  • Anambra celebrates community peace

    Anambra celebrates community peace

    It was clear that the relief was felt even beyond the remote community. The Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke was there on behalf of his boss, Chief Willie Obiano. So were various dignitaries including traditional rulers and community leaders.

    It was a special day for Nibo and its people in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. For seven years the community boiled over, kinsmen rising against one another. For that long, the town had no traditional Prime Minister or Onowu, in local parlance.

    Even the traditional ruler, Eze Ugonwanne Ngene, who still managed to retain his throne, could not celebrate it. The Ofala, the grand feast marking such ceremonies, simply could not hold.

    Why? Nibo was in turbulence.

    Thankfully, all that is in the past now. A new Onowu, Prof. Simon Nnama, has been inaugurated. Peace has returned and everyone, including the Obiano administration, was happy.

    At inception, one of the first things the governor did was to mount a campaign for community peace and cohesion. It looks as if his efforts are paying off.

    The internal squabble halted any form of development in the area. This put off some indigenous people who wanted to help those in need especially the physically challenged and widows.

    In those horrible days, things stood still except the Eke Market  which was functional, while the presence of government was equally minimal.

    The Nation gathered that the conflict was essentially about leadership. Some aggrieved members of the community, it was said, were opposed to the monarch and made their opposition known. While that lasted, a few others helped themselves to community’s till.

    The conflict is over. The community is united under its king. The Ofala feast has returned and everyone made merry and did their best to forget the past.

    Ezike Nibo, as the monarch is addressed, also took time to recognise some sons of the land, while the community equally chose and installed its traditional prime minister.

    The wind of change has finally reconciled all and sundry with monarch and some of the community’s sons and daughters promising development.

    Special recognition was given to the community’s new traditional Prime Minister, Prof. Simon Nnama and Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe in an event that took place at Nibo Civic Centre and witnessed by the Aanmbra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke.

    Traditional rulers from the 177 communities in Anambra state were led by the Igwe of Nnewi, Kenneth Orizu and Igwe Peter Anugwu of Mbaukwu.

    For members of the community, the honor given to one of their own Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe by their monarch was a well deserved one.

    He was given the traditional title of Ebubechukwu–Uzo (meaning the one who puts God first).

    The political scientist and business man has been a source of hope and motivation to the less privileged and the needy in the society not only in the community but beyond.

    Okelekwe before his education and rise to stardom was being ridiculed in the area in those days as epitome of poverty which he also attests to.

    The area was jam packed and the event wore a majestic look with decorations and different uniforms by groups that ran riot.

    The mention of Okelekwe’s name by the monarch elicited jubilation. Singers praised the man they described as the messiah of the poor.

    Mr. Chigozie Nwankwo, 67, said: “We are excited because this young man can starve his family to make sure that others do not suffer because he saw and experienced poverty.”

    The traditional ruler of Isuanaoma in Awka North Local Government Area, Igwe Uchenna Okpalaunegbu, who described himself as the recipient’s friend, told The Nation that the title on Okelekwe was a confirmation of his life

    “He is somebody that has touched lives, he believes strongly in living for others and this is the testimony”

    Dr. Harry Obi-Nwosu, a community leader in Umudioka, who came to witness the event, told the Nation that Okelekwe’s recognition by the community was well deserved as a man of integrity and honour.

    “I have known him as a gentleman that loves to help the poor; if not for the crisis in Nibo community, the people would have recognised him many years ago before other communities could do that.”

    Before now, in 2009, Okelekwe had been recognised as Ezechimelu (God’s anointed king) of Oko kingdom in Orumba North Council Area. In 2011, the monarch of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu gave him the title of Ochendo (the people’s shield).

    Chief Victor Umeh, who is the National Chairman of all Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was equally among the recipients of traditional title from the sleepy community.

    The Deputy Governor, Dr. Okeke, who stood in for Governor Obiano, commended the people for the return of peace in the area and the orderly conduct of the event.

    However, he assured that the state government remained committed in ensuring the security and welfare of its citizens as evidenced in the crime-free Yuletide period.

    Ezike Nibo, Ugonwanne Ngene, before conferring the titles on the recipients, said they were chosen as special people to play special roles in the community because of what he described and their impeccable characters.

    Despite the crisis that nearly brought enmity to the people and their leaders, the monarch described Nibo as a blessed community where all the basic amenities of life were endowed in abundance.

    While he was called up to step forward for his title, tears rolled down his cheeks but he managed to acknowledge the huge chants of his name by the people.

    He told The Nation that he cried because of what the community had gone through in the past and when he remembered his past when poverty reigned supreme in his life.

    “And that is what motivated me to be doing whatever I am doing today in the society and I have been in this charity job for the past 20 years and if I have the means, I will do more”.

    “This is very emotional to me and I cherish it because I never lobbied or made any discreet moves to be recognised by my people, I was only communicated 72 hours to the event and one of the greatest things that can happen to any man is to be recognised by his people.”

    The President General of the town Union, Dr. Innocent Akuvue described the day as a turning point in the lives of the people of the community.

  • APC candidate a man of peace, says Rivers monarchs’ chairman

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has been described as a man of peace by King Godwin N.K. Gininwa, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom and chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.

    King Gininwa, who is also the president of Ogoni Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, made the declaration at his palace in Tai.

    The monarch said Peterside comes from a lineage of peace-loving people.

    He said:  “Our lives were not safe until Amaechi appeared on the scene. Today, the state is peaceful and we are all happy about it even though some people had tried to destroy this peace. I know Peterside is also from the same school of peace, so we will support you.”

    The monarch later handed a copy of the Holy Bible to Peterside, urging him to be guided as always by the scriptures in all his undertakings. He also gave the APC candidate a lantern, which is to remind him on the need to look for a way to improve on the supply of power to his kingdom.

    “One of our challenges here is power. Anybody who has gone outside Nigeria knows that the magic of the white man is electricity. So whatever plan you are making to develop Rivers State, make sure power is a priority. The people of Tai, Ogoni and Rivers need light. I, therefore, present to you this lamp.”

  • Elections and the imperative of peace

    It is heart-warming that the two leading candidates in the February presidential elections, President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari, as well as other candidates, have made public commitment to embracing peace before, during and after the elections. It is particularly noteworthy that the President Jonathan and General Buhari openly embraced and shook hands at the event while also mutually openly denouncing violence in their respective speeches. This commitment to peace was made at a recent workshop on how to ensure violence-free elections held in Abuja. The event, which was chaired by former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, also had in attendance a former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Anan and some representatives of the country’s registered political parties.

    The resolution of political parties and their leaders to toe the line of peace is especially momentous in view of the several acts of violence, arson, thuggery and the ensuing tension that have pervaded the political landscape of recent. Now that the major gladiators in the political process have openly pledged to uphold the peace, it is expected that their teeming supporters across the country would equally see the wisdom in toeing same line. It has been stated, over and over again, that elections should not be a do or die affair. If the overriding interest of all aspiring public office holders, as they often make us to believe, is to better the lives of Nigerians, it would be contradictory for them to turn the political scene into an orgy of violence. Doing this would only compound the woes of the people as violence could further complicate the economic and security troubles of the country.

    Going down memory lanes, our previous attempts at democracy were hampered by acts of violence that engulfed the electoral process. In the First Republic, the ‘wild wild west’ chaos and other such political violence that followed the 1965 general elections heralded the coming of the military. A series of events that followed eventually culminated in the civil war (1967-70), whose wounds are yet to be completely healed. In the Second Republic, yet another attempt at entrenching democracy in the country was bungled, partly as a result of the tension and crisis that followed the 1983 general elections, which were widely believed to be heavily rigged in favour of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria, NPN.

    It took us another 15 years, from 1984 to1999 to be precise, before we could have another go at democracy. Presently, we have had an unprecedented 14 years of un-interrupted civil rule. This should be enough motivation for principal actors in the political process and all stakeholders to play according to the rules. Doing anything to the contrary would only make a mess of whatever gains we have made in the past years, in our bid to build a virile democratic culture. This is why it is vital that political parties and, indeed, all concerned Nigerians, must maintain decorum in all they do, with regards to the coming elections, so that the future of the nation’s democracy will not be jeopardised.

    The elections, therefore, offer us another huge platform to get things right. We should no longer hide under the usual pretext of a ‘nascent democracy’ to do things crudely. This is the time to get it right. The only interest that should be paramount in the ensuing political contest should be that of the country. It is not in anyone’s interest for the country to be engulfed in crisis because of election; something that is a mere routine in other climes. We have had enough of bloodshed in the country. In the past four years, we have lost too many innocent souls to the criminal activities of insurgents. It is, therefore, irrational to adjoin political turmoil to the growing lists of our national troubles. In the 21st century, killing or maiming people in the name of an election portends backwardness and barbarism. If relatively smaller and less endowed neighbouring countries could conduct peaceful and credible elections, it behoves on the most populous Black Country in the world to demonstrate the needed political leadership, worthy of emulation across the continent.

    However, it is often said, there can be no peace when justice is compromised. It is, thus, very crucial for INEC and the various security agencies to be fair to all in the coming elections. From past experiences, the inability of past electoral umpires to conduct fair and credible elections had been largely responsible for the resultant chaos that trails the outcome of previous elections. Hence, INEC’s officials, at all levels, must not compromise the electoral process. The vote of every Nigerian must be made to count. Same goes for the security agencies. It is unethical for security agencies to display partisan tendencies while overseeing the conduct of a national election. The police, in particular, should be civil and impartial in their conduct before, during and after the coming elections. Their allegiance should be solely to the country, and not any parochial political interest.

    Universally, peace is a vital precondition for development. Without peace, no meaningful development could take place in a chaotic atmosphere. According to Martin Luther King, “peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” It is, therefore, essential that the media, political parties, civil society organisations, the academia, faith based organisations, electoral monitoring groups, NGOs and other related bodies come up with well streamlined political education and enlightenment campaigns that would centre on the need to embrace peace in the political process. As it has been rightly highlighted, irrespective of our varying political leanings, we remain brothers and sisters living in the same house. It, hence, behoves on us to ensure that the house does not collapse. It will be foolhardy to do otherwise. Long live Nigeria.

     

    • Ogunbiyi is of Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • Monarch urges peace

    Monarch urges peace

    One of the oldest monarchs in Ngwa area of Abia State, HRM Isaac Ikonne has called on politicians in the state and across the country to embrace peace during and after the electioneering process.

    The traditional ruler of Eziama said that the need for peace cannot be overemphasised.

    The revered traditional ruler was speaking when the All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and his entourage visited him on the party’s campaign tour of the state.

    The revered king said the unity of the country should be paramount to every politician and all Nigerians.

    “As you politicians criss-cross the country to canvass for votes you should allow peace be your watchword and this will in turn guarantee the unity of the country which I believe is paramount and sacrosanct.”

    Eze Ikonne drew the attention of the former military Head of State to the deplorable condition of federal roads in Aba which he said needed urgent attention of the federal government to put in place to help commuters and motorists reduce their sufferings and save importers the cost of conveying their goods to the commercial heartbeat of the state.

    The monarch also drew his august visitor’s attention to lack of water and ineffective power supply, urging him to address these issues if God granted him victory at the polls.

    Highpoint of the event was the conferment and decoration of Ogbuagu 1 of Aba chieftaincy title on General Buhari by Eze Ikonne while 24 other traditional rulers assisted.

    Responding, General Buhari promised to tackle the numerous problems facing Aba in particular and the Southeast in general. He aslo urged the people to vote, adding that the conferment of the title has opened another chapter of a relationship between him and Abia people.

    Some APC stalwarts who witnessed the event were Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, ex-Governor Segun Oni, senators Osita Izunaso and Chris Nwabueze Ngige, among other members of the party.