Community news
Effium communal crisis: Ezza people reject Umahi’s ‘blackmail,’ demand apology
The people of Ezza in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi state under the platform of Ezza Unity Forum (EUF) has condemned and rejected what they described as provocative statement and ethnic profiling of their people by governor Dave Umahi.
The Ezza Unity Forum was reacting to a statement allegedly credited to the Ebonyi state governor where he described Ezza people as “troublesome fighters or war mongers” as down rightly provocative.
In a statement released Tuesday and signed by the Umuezeoka, Ezza North LGA Chairman, Chief Williams Nweke, Ezza-Effium, Ohaukwu LGA), Secretary Mr. Cosmos Onele Nwagu, Oriuzor, Ezza North LGA, Financial Secretary, Mr. Uchenna Nwite, Ezzaegu, Ishielu LGA, Publicity Secretar, Elder Francis Alegu, Barr. Friday Nwigboji, Ezza South LGA, Legal Adviser, demanded an apology from the governor.
“That we view with utmost disappointment and disdain, the comments and allusions allegedly emanating from the Governor and Chief Security Officer of the Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi against prominent Ezza sons concerning the protracted communal crises in Effium, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the State which has claimed thousands of lives, (particularly of our Ezza indigenes) and caused several property worth huge millions to be severely damaged.
“The remarks allegedly credited to the number one citizen of Ebonyi State that Ezzas are troublesome fighters or war mongers is to say the least benumbing and downrightly provocative. Such ethnic profiling of our people stands rejected and highly condemned!
“It is a verifiable fact that great sons and daughters of Ezza Ezekuna wherever they may be found have been known for peace among their neighbours despite our ancestors being great warriors that fought and reclaimed ordinarily lost territories in ancient pasts. Our ancestors, being very peaceful have often established a covenant and an oath of peace and brotherhood that has always guided their relationship and co-existence with their neighbours even in the case of the troubled Effium.
“Our judgment and understanding of the implications, actions and even inactions of Governor Umahi as exhibited either directly by him or through his surrogates since the war broke out in January 2021 manifestly indicate the desperation of the government to continue to give tacit backing to the oppressors and killers of our people- the Uffiomites so as to use the crisis to launch attacks against anyone who they feel has any interest against that of the State Government be there economic, political or even religious and otherwise.
“This is proven right by the latest disclosure that an Ezza-born business mogul, Chief Chibuike Orogwu, popularly known as Baby Oku is the latest to be roped in as one of “the sponsors of Effium communal war” by Umahi. This is coming days after another Ezza son, writer and critic of the Umahi-led government, Mr. Monday Eze was declared “wanted” by the Governor for an unbiased and truthful expose on the incarceration of yet another Ezza-born Catholic priest, Reverend Father Timothy Ngwuta on trumped up allegations of sponsorship of the carnage in Effium. This is despite the fact that every material evidence points to the fact that the said priest merely embarked on a Corporal work of mercy as empowered by his religious role as a Priest.
“That with the preponderance of arrests, torture, intimidations, hounding and imprisonment of Ezza fathers, sons, mothers and daughters of Ezza indigenes even without concrete evidences against them by the Umahi administration since the communal unrest began over a year ago, the government has obviously declared an unholy and unprovoked “war of attrition” on the entire Ezza Ezekuna clan. Trying to shut down everything and every of our people by roping them into the Effium killings we believe is strongly being backed by the government and it’s agents is totally condemnable and unacceptable and we shall be left with no option than to deploy every lawful, legal and just means to defend and protect our people, their families and businesses from the many onslaughts of Umahi and his agents.”
While declaring that Ezza nation are peace-loving people, the statement said that despite media reports, security intelligence and investigations linking particular local government chairman to the crisis nothing was done to either thoroughly bring him or his group to book.
“The government was used to officially release from prison, 31 Uffiom youths who were dangerously armed and were about to attack an Ezza village in Effium. The government claimed without due investigations and proper cause of actions in line with known and established criminal laws in our land that they, being youngsters, were ‘deceived into carrying arms’ and then unilaterally and unconstitutionally granted them a State pardon through an official Executive Council Memo. What a biased, hateful and hurtful disposition by a government against a people whose only crime is that they are dexterous and survivalists anywhere they find themselves!
“Finally, we wish to call on the Governor to within 48 hours first and foremost apologize to the entire Ezza nation, our dearly beloved brother, Chief Orogwu over the very incendiary remarks and unfounded allegations he levelled against him as one of the “sponsors of Effium killings”, recant his declaration of Mr. Monday Eze as a “wanted person” and order the immediate and unconditional release of arrested Rev. Fr. Timothy Ngwuta from the prison.
“Governor Umahi should know that we are a very peace-loving people. But he must never take our meekness for a weakness!”
The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) have extend their warmest congratulations to their National Patron, Sir Peter Omoh Dunia, popularly known as Peter Black, as he celebrates another year of life.
A statement signed by the National President of HOSTCOM, His Highness Dr Benjamin Style Tamaranebi lauded
Sir Peter who is recognized as the “Moses of our time,” for his outstanding philanthropy and selfless contributions to HOSTCOM.
“His support has been instrumental, providing the organization with an office space in Abuja, furnishing it, and covering staff salaries, establishing him as a beacon of hope in HOSTCOM and the Niger Delta.
In their message, HOSTCOM expressed immense pride in Sir Peter’s efforts, emphasizing that more individuals like him could elevate the community to even greater heights.
They prayed for God’s continued blessings upon him and his family, celebrating his unwavering dedication to the organization.
The Statement reads,
“The leadership of Host communities of Nigeria producing oil and gas (HOSTCOM) felicitate with our National PATRON , Moses of our time, a dangerous giver, philanthropic who gave HOSTCOM House, paid staff’s salaries and furnished the office.
“HOSTCOM indeed is very proud of you if we have another one or two of you we would exceeded this level.
Today we have a co- operate office here in Abuja all for your magnanimous provisions indeed you a pilla of Hope in HOSTCOM and Niger Delta at large.
“We pray that God Almighty reward you provide for you and your family as you keep celebrating the glory of Godswill in your life in Jesus name Amen.”
The attention of the deplorable state of the Kishi Community in Irepo Local Government in Oyo State, South West of Nigeria was made public recently when Pharm. (Chief) Rahman Bioku, the Bobajiro of Kishiland and newly elected President of Kishi Progressive Union (KPU)-a social-cultural organization visited his representative, Hon. (Dr) Prince Olaide Lateef Mohammed (POLAM) at the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The visit was to acquaint the House of Representative member some of the challenges the community of his representation are facing and proffer solutions as to how to overcome them.
The KPU President who had in his entourage some members of the National Executives, the Ag. Secretary Ibraheem Bioku, the National Auditor Alhaji Rafiu Benya, the Legal Adviser Barr. Abdulwahab Jimoh, others are Engr. Tajudeen Azeez, Mr. Sanusi Hakeem Olalomi and Comrade (Mrs.) Abiodun Bonuola- Ozurumba, presented a document that captured all the issues concerning the Kishi community and its environs.
Meanwhile, the President of KPU, Rahman Bioku highlighted some of the immediate pressing issues to include job opportunities for the teeming youths, urgent purchase of tractors to assist farmers in food production since Kishi is known as the food basket of Oyo State, near zero power supply, water reservoir and its reticulation within the metropolis, and the completely dilapidated Igboho-Kishi road.
In his response, Hon. (Dr) Prince Olaide Lateef Mohammed (POLAM), representing the Irepo/Orelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency of Oyo State, South West, Nigeria commended the efforts of the KPU President and all members present and promised to do all within his capabilities to measure up to the confidence bestowed on him by his people.
He noted that “The interest of Kishi is 100% my interest”. “A people’s representative must know the problem of his community” he asserted.
POLAM further stated that “Politics is over, it is now time for good governance and I am ready to develop the Kishi community as well as encourage anyone that is ready to join me”.
He sighted the relationship at the House of Representatives as very cordial with no party affiliations when matters that concerns the wellbeing of the Nigeria people are discussed. He expressed the need for all elected politicians and well-meaning sons and daughters of the Kishi community to work together for the good of the community.
The Honourable who promised to look at the document, officially welcomed the KPU team to the National Assembly.
The KPU President again used the opportunity of the visit to thank him and all those working with him. Pharm. Rahman Bioku re-emphasized on the need for good work in good time and of course more regular visits to all elected/political appointees of the Kishi community to constantly remind them of their responsibilities to the people.
The senator representing Kogi East Senatorial district in the Red Chamber, Jibrin Isah (Echocho), has given out high-powered solar panel lights to some communities in his senatorial district.
The state of the art solar lights packaged with fluorescent bulbs illuminating that have long lasting life span is targeted at providing high level of visibility for security agents and local vigilantes to counter criminal activities carried out by men of the underworld especially at night.
One of the recipients of the solar lights in Abejukolo-Ife, Omala Local Government Area of Kogi state, Comrade Jerry Ochada, said the intervention by Senator Echocho is a welcome development.
Ochada further thanked the ranking Senator for his intervention while hinting that “in the coming days, the solar lights will be installed along Omala local government area (Secretariat Road) and some streets in Sabongari Area of Abejukolo”.
The Senator also gifted 36 solar powered lights each to the Okenyi community in Ankpa local government area, Dekina township; Etutuekpe community in Dekina local government and Ugwolawo township in Ofu local government area.
Senator Echocho promised to donate more lights to other Local Government Areas before the end of 2023.
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