From Wilson Okereke
The Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone, Senator Professor Anthony Okorie Ani, has described the creation of autonomous communities at the war ravaged Effium as the panacea to the protracted conflict in the area.
Recall that a communal crisis bordering on land dispute between the people of Effium and Ezza Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State erupted on 22nd January, 2021 and has received series of government mediations.
He disclosed this to newsmen recently, while stressing that the state governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is gifted with the knowledge of resolving seemingly complicated issues with ease thereby appealed to the warring parties to embrace peace for the sake of their future generations.
Senator Ani added that the demarcation of Effium and Ezza Effium community into Effium and Alioma communities respectively would bring permanent peace between the parties and suggested that a similar approach should be adopted in other conflict laden areas across the state.
“For having passed the Peace Accord Bill into law by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and accented to by the Governor and the restoration of lasting peace and order in the areas are among the major landmark achievements by this administration” he said.
The lawmaker described war as the worst plague to humanity in the sense that both action and reaction are always in equal proportion in both sides thereby advised the people to let go of their losses and embrace peace.
He further maintained that the Governor’s decision is a step in the right direction and urged that the people should not allow themselves to be influenced negatively, mostly as the already signed law is currently binding on everyone.
Senator Ani, who is also the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, commended the courage exhibited by the Governor and advised him to sustain the trajectory.
He also charged the youths to cement the peace initiative by engaging themselves in inter-communal marriages, periodic football matches, and other activities as that would go a long way in bringing absolute forgiveness in the affected communities.