From Ikeuwa Omebeh
According to Aristotle, "It is not enough to win a war. It is more important to organize the peace. For nobody is mad enough to choose war while there is peace.
And an African Proverbs says, "when two brothers fight to death, strangers inherit their property.
It is not the battle won but the peace forged that defines leadership.
War brings stagnation of civilization, humiliation and failure of humanity, where both parties are devastated by hunger, poverty and economic backwardness.
Peace begins with a smile. It begins with oneself and radiates outwards.
Peace is not merely a feeling or mood but a position of calm, strength and focus in the midst of life's battles and challenges.
It is a tradition of a people who want a calm, orderly and socially stable society. Peace greases interpersonal relationship and lubricates the heart of the offended or victim. Showing remorse for peace is not a sign of weakness. It is wise choice of the valiant who wants to avert plundering of lives, destruction of properties and social instability.
According to an Indian freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi, "there is no way to peace. Peace is the way.
In Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers. For they shall be called the children of God. The Bible goes further to outline the qualities of peacemakers, as peace-loving, gentle, kind, compassionate, compliant, persevering, tolerance, liberal and forgiving.
Peace brings love, which is the greatest commandment of God. Peacemakers reflect the divine character of God in their actions.
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is a leader of peace, a lover of peace and a restorer of peace. He sees peace as the inheritance of Ebonyi people and peacemaking as their vocation.
He was enthroned by God to restore peace and sense of brotherhood in all parts of the state. To enable him develop the state in line with the People's Charter of Needs Doctrine of his divine-endorsed administration.
On assumption of office as the Chief Security of Ebonyi State, he initiated and restored peace and calm in all parts of the state. Bringing all communal crisis and social instability in the state to a halt. For him, no meaningful development happens in atmosphere of war, instability and rancor.
To achieve peace which was at the forefront of his visionary leadership, he mobilized the State Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution under the then headship of a committed and dedicated stewardship of Dr. Donatus Chukwuma Ilang.
It is a verifiable fact that all the communities and clans which hethito experienced land and boundary disputes embraced peace. Including Ezza - Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Abaomege - Ishinkwo in Onicha Local Government Area, Ohankwu - Amanna in Ezza South and Ikwo Local Government Areas, Akaeze - Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area, Ezza - Ezilo in Ishielu Local Government Area.
To douse the effects of war and erase the outcomes from the minds of the affected communities and clans in the state, he created Anioma and Anioma Ezekuna Autonomous Communities in Ezza/Effium, Amanze/Izzo Autonomous Communities in Ezza/Ezilo including construction of 150 units of 3-bedroom bungalows for Amanze and Izzo Autonomous Communities respectively.
All the affected communities and clans embraced peace in appreciation of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru-led administration's commitment to peace and stability in the state.
Ebonyi State Government under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is up to its primary duty of security and protection of lives and properties of Ebonyi citizens and residents. Therefore, no individual, group of individuals or clan will be allowed to truncate the existing peace, harmony and calm in the state. By provoking violence, crisis, instability or killing of innocent Ebonyians.
Oral and written histories of Ebonyi State clarify that all clans and communities in the state are related to one another. Either by origin, blood, migration, settlement and marriage. Any communal crisis in any part of the state results in the killing of in-laws, parents and grandchildren of the communities involved. Leaving the daughters intermarried to the affected communities as widows and their grandchildren from the inter-communities as orphans.
Therefore, any Ebonyi citizen, group, community or clan in the state that feels offended are advised to complain to, or seek and get swift justice at Ebonyi State Multi-Door Court, Citizens'Mediation Centre, Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice. Rather engaging in jungle justice, attack or repisal which causes unrest in the state.
Ebonyi state government respects the sanctity and sacredness of life.
On this day, in the history of our dear state, we observe a moment of silence in honour of four innocent Ebonyians who lost their lives to the senseless attack on Okporojo Community in Edda. We pray God grant them eternal rest, comfort their families and give them the fortitude to cope with the irreparable loss.
Together we shall build Ebonyi State where peace of God reigns supreme.
God bless Ebonyi State and all its citizens!
Barr. Chief Ikeuwa Omebeh is the Honourable Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ebonyi State.
