Ebonyi State Ministry Of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution.

PRESS RELEASE

EKA-AWOKE COMMUNITY ELECTS A NEW EZEOGO AS COMMISSIONER ILANG ENSURES PEACEFUL ELECTION AND THE CORONATION OF THE EZE ELECT.

BY:
NNEKA LINDA CHIMA-IBURU.
HEAD PUBLIC RELATIONS, MINISTRY OF BORDER, PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

In an attempt to bring the People's Charter of Needs in Peace and Conflict Resolution Management to bear as enshrined in His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru's Charter of Needs, the proactive Commissioner of Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon. Dr. Donatus Ilang, has ensured that a fair and peaceful election as well as, the coronation of the Ezeogo elect was conducted at Eka-Awoke Autonomous Community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State

Earlier in his remarks while addressing the stakeholders and the people of the Community, the Hon Commissioner urged the people to be of good conduct by creating an enabling environment that will bring about a fair and peaceful election and the further coronation of the Ezeogo elect thereafter.

Among the three candidates that indicated interest in the Ezeship election namely, Engr Chukwuma Oke, Chief Jude Nwafor and Chief Oliver Eze all from Ezeke village whose turn it is to produce the Eze, Chief Oliver Eze alone met all the necessary requirements as outlined by the Electoral Committee in line with the constitution of the Community.

Chief Oliver Eze who was unanimously elected via a total of one thousand and fifty five votes was officially presented to the Hon Commissioner of Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution Dr. Donatus Ilang and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Matters Barr Peter Ede by the Coronation Committee led by their Chairman Prof Joseph Afiukwu, the Ezeogo elect Chief Oliver Eze was thereafter crowned by the representatives of all the King Makers from the different villages that made up Eka- Awoke Autonomous Community under the watchful eyes of the exciting people of the Community.

Dr. Ilang further enjoined the crowned Ezeogo Oliver Eze to embark on his obligations without fear, favour, bias and any form of political inclination, and to always seek the wisdom of other knowledgeable Traditional Rulers, as well as, the elders of the Community for a smooth and peaceful reign.

Responding after his coronation, Ezeogo Oliver Eze expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellence Rt Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his Peace Agenda that has led to the election and crowning of kings across all borders of the State via the Ministries of Local Government and Chieftancy Matters and Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution respectively, promising to discharge his duties diligently by not letting his people that sent him on the leadership errand down.

Major Stakeholders who witnessed the election and coronation were, the Member Representing the Ezza South/ Ikwo Federal Constituency, Comrade Chinedu Oga OON, the Coordinator of Ndufu Ikwo Elder Dr Sam Nti, the National President Ikwo Development Union (IDU) among others.

PRESS RELEASE.

LAND DISPUTE: COMMISSIONER FOR BORDER, PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION CALLS FOR CEASE FIRE, ENJOINS PARTIES TO EMBRACE PEACE.

BY: NNEKA LINDA CHIMA-IBURU.
HEAD PUBLIC RELATIONS, MINISTRY OF BORDER, PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

In line with the Peace mandate of the Ministry of Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution to ensure a Peaceful co- existence among Villages and Communities within and across the State, the Hon. Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Donatus Ilang, has called for a cease fire between the people of Umobor Village in Akaeze Community and Ogwor Village in Ishiagu Community both in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Dr. Ilang made this call during a fact finding trip to the disputed zone in order to authenticate the submissions made to the Ministry by both parties as they show their different acclaimed boundaries to enable the Ministry to reconcile every other issue regarding the land in question, as well as, to pick the survey of the land in dispute for easy identification and possible reconciliation.

The Hon Commissioner frowned at the absence of the Umobor Stakeholders who claimed that they were not informed about the fact finding mission despite the invitation passed to them through the Coordinator of Akaeze Development Center, Hon. Barr Jasper Chinasa Okorie and the Committee set up by the two villages to ensure that lasting peace is restored between them.

Dr. Ilang however commended the people of Ogwor village who came out in mass to show their own acclaimed boundaries, emphasizing that the Ministry will as part of the peace process revisit the disputed area after it must have consulted the two parties again in order to ensure that there is sustenance of peace within the two villages.

He further condemned the destruction of lives and properties describing the parties involved as taking laws into their hands which will attract capital punishment upon any culprits found wanting, he urged the Stakeholders of both Villages to enhance the State Government 's efforts in curtailing further crisis, especially the killings and the destruction of properties.

The Hon Commissioner who described the Youths as an important instrument used either for Peace or mass destruction within any given society, called on the Youths of Umobor and Ogwor villages to embrace the peaceful attributes associated with our dear Governor, His Excellency, Rt.Hon. Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru who is a beacon of Peace as he has instituted and reconstituted the culture of Peace in Ebonyi State , knowing too well that there is no benefit whatsoever in any form of crisis, he appealed to them to see reasons why they should embrace peace because without Peace, their land will not be developed and they may not live to tell the story of the crisis they helped to escalate.

PRESS RELEASE.

BORDER, PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION BOSS FROWNS AGAINST THE TRESPASS ON HOLY CHILD SECONDARY SCHOOL LAND: WARNS AMELU UGWUEGU VILLAGERS.

BY:
NNEKA LINDA CHIMA-IBURU.
HEAD PUBLIC RELATIONS, MINISTRY OF BORDER, PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

The people of Amelu in Ugwuegu village, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have been warned to desist from further trespass into the land of the Holy Child Secondary School Afikpo.

The Hon Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon. Dr Donatus Ilang melted out this strong warning to the host village while on a fact finding visit to the school to ascertain the on the spot facts as regards the alleged trespass on the school land as against the host community, declaring that the present administration under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Builder Francis Nwifuru has Zero Tolerance to irresponsible attitudes towards Government properties.

Dr. Ilang while addressing some Stakeholders from Amelu, Ugwuegu village, frowned at the negative impression of the villagers who spoke through their former village Head, Mr Christopher Ogbonnaya Azubuike, claiming that they own the land in contention, the Hon Commissioner made it known to them that all land belongs to the Government as provided in the "LAND USE ACT OF 1978", the host Community was however banned from further trespass on the land until investigations and documentations are done.

He further reminded them that it is the official duty of the school authorities to guide the school properties jealously, and as the host Community, they should be responsive enough to do likewise, bearing in mind that the school remains their property and that of their generations unborn.

The Hon Commissioner further directed the Head of Department Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Mr. Martin Igurube to liase with the present Principal and the former Principal of the school, Mrs Beatrice .N. Odi and Mrs Oti Nwakaego Nelly respectively to get the contacts of all the former Principals, so as to enable the Ministry to gather the historical information needed in tracing the genesis of the boundary demarcation and all the necessary documents in that regard.

In their various remarks, the Principal of Holy Child Secondary School, Mrs Beatrice Odi, the Vice Principal Administration, Mr Nnachi Emmanuel Inya, a Teacher from the school Mr. Ajuka Emmanuel and a former Principal Mrs Oti Nwakaego all frowned at the attitudes of the host Community who sees them as enemies while they thanked His Excellency for his intervention through the Ministry of Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, urging the Government to come to their aid in reclaiming the school land by erecting all the necessary demarcation beacons and the fencing of the area in dispute in order to avert further trespass and crisis.

PRESS RELEASE

COMMISSIONER ILANG CHARGES ALL THE KINDREDS IN AKAEZE UKWU COMMUNITY TO MAINTAIN THE TENETS OF PEACE FOR MORE DEMOCRACY DIVIDENDS IN THEIR LAND.

BY:NNEKA LINDA CHIMA-IBURU.
HEAD PUBLIC RELATIONS MINISTRY OF BORDER, PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

The Hon Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution in collaboration with the major stakeholders of Akaeze Development Center has re-emphasised that peace and nothing but peace remains the foundation of this present administration under the leadership navigation of His Excellency, Rt. Hon Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.

Hon. Dr Donatus Ilang re-echoed this during a Fact Finding Peace Dialogue Town Hall Meeting held in Ukwuagba the headquarters of Akaeze Development Center while addressing the people of AMAKPU, OGBURUCHA, ABANWAOLOGU KINDREDS AND THE ENTIRE KINDREDS IN MGBEDE village that made up Akaeze- Ukwu Community in Akaeze Development Center, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Commissioner Ilang who emphasized that there is no gain in crisis urged the people to shield their swords, embrace forgiveness and reconciliation, and to always channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters for amicable settlement rather than taking laws into their hands.

Dr Ilang assured the people of the Governor's readiness to look into the remote and immediate cause of the crisis in order to bring lasting peace, emphasizing that more democracy dividends will be allotted to their various villages, Kindreds and Community if only they will embrace and maintain peaceful co-existence among themselves within their Kindreds, he further called on the Youths to desist from being used as instruments of destruction to lives and properties.

Earlier in his remarks, the Ivo Local Government Area Chairman Hon. Ogbonnaya Aja who was represented by the Vice Chairman Hon. Nelly Ugorji enjoined the people to shield their swords, embrace peace, assuring them that the Government shall restore Peace in the land.

Addresing the people, the Coordinator of Akaeze Development Center, Hon. Barr Jasper Chinasa Okorie who appreciated the people of the various villages and kindreds for trouping out in mass for the Peace Dialogue saying that wherever there is crisis, Peace and Development elopes the land. He further reminded them that Peace is senequeno to Development at any given point in time.

In their various contributions, the President General of Akaeze Development Union, Hon. Joseph Obasi, Barr Ikoto Chukwu Oja and Chief Okigbo Okoro all appreciated His Excellency for his intervention through the Ministry of Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution to ensure that Peace returns in their villages and Kindreds calling on all concerned to unite as brothers for peaceful co-existence.

PRESS RELEASE.

OHANKWU FEDERATED DEVELOPMENT UNION ELECTION DISRUPTED AND CANCELLED.

BY:
NNEKA LINDA CHIMA-IBURU
HEAD PUBLIC RELATIONS/PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER MINISTRY OF BORDER, PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

The Ministry of Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution's journey to restore Peace in Ohankwu Village in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State through the conduct of a Fair and Peaceful election in the Ohankwu Federated Development Union has been squashed and cancelled.

This cancellation which became imperative as a matter of urgency was made by the Hon Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Donatus Ilang at the Ohankwu Village Square following the failure of the Electoral Body to observe the Election Best Practices in the conduct of the election.

The election which witnessed massive turn out of the people of Ohankwu, ranging from their Elders, Stakeholders, Women and Youths who were eager to cast their votes were however disappointed following the obstruction characterized by the chaotic conduct exhibited by the supporters of the Chairmanship contestants Mr. Elechi Ifeanyi and Mr. Gabriel Nwakiriko respectively.

In the bid to ensure that Peace and normalcy is restored in the village, Dr. Ilang whose office mandate revolves round ensuring that Peace is maintained in all nooks and crannies of the State, while addressing the voters, and the Stakeholders of the Village emphasized that the cancellation of the election has become a necessary solution to guarantee instant Peace in the village pending when a new date will be communicated to them.

The Hon Commissioner further enjoined the people of Ohankwu to always embrace Peace for meaningful development in their land, he directed the Electoral Body to Restratigise their Electoral Process to suit the best Election process Practices as they await a new date.

Among the officers that were present to observe the election were, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Matters, Barr Peter Ede, the Head of Department, Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution Mr. Ifeanyi Martin Igurube among others

PRESS RELEASE.

VILLAGE LEADERSHIP ELECTION: COMMISSIONER FOR BORDER, PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION CHARGES NEWLY ELECTED LEADERS TO OBEY THE CLARION CALL OF SERVICE AS HE INUGURATES THEM.

BY: NNEKA LINDA CHIMA-IBURU.
HEAD PUBLIC RELATIONS/PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER MINISTRY OF BORDER, PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

The Hon Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Donatus Ilang has charged the newly elected leaders of Ndiaguzu Echara Ikwo, in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State to obey the Clarion call of service to their Father's land as they assume office.

Dr. Ilang gave this directive at Ndiaguzu Echara Ikwo Town Hall while addressing the people of Ndiaguzu Echara Ikwo who came out enmass to elect their leaders in a Peaceful and fair election.

The Hon Commissioner reminded them of the Peace Charter of the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru which forms the guiding Principle and Mandate of the Ministry, urging the newly elected leaders to stand upon this Peace Mandate in ensuring that the interest of the whole village is protected by their positive unity of purpose for greater Ndiaguzu Echara Ikwo.

Dr. Donatus further enjoined them to always consult their elders when embarking on important decisions, not to look down on their women and Youths because they are their blessings and strength, emphasizing that they should improve on the deficiencies of the past administrations, shun humiliation and victimization in order to achieve success in their regime.

Addressing his people, the Coordinator of Ikwo South East Development Center, Comrade John Ogodo, expressed his appreciation for the peaceful conduct of the village leadership election, stating that the new regime will be the beginning of Peace, Good Tidings and Progress in Ndiaguzu Echara Ikwo land, he further advised the newly elected officers to work towards maintaining the ovation of the election that brought them to power, emphasizing that United they can stand for positive change.

Among the officers elected are, Mr. Okeye Mboyi Augustine who defeated two other contestants to emerge the Village Chairman, Mr Alike Ifeanyi was elected the Vice Chairman, Mr Uche Ede Agashi the Secretary, Mr. Ewa Uche Jasper the Treasure, others are, the Public Relations Officer Mr. Igboke Kanayo, Mr.Ojon Chinedu the Financial Secretary, the Assistant Secretary Mr Joseph Okoro Nwankwor and the Welfare Officer Mr. Chinedu Nwoghu.

In his vote of thanks on behalf of the elected Officers, the Chairman elect, Mr Okeye Mboyi Augustine, expressed his appreciation to the Hon Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Donatus Ilang and his team for ensuring that the election was fair and peaceful, he further assured his people that the interest of their Community supersedes his personal interest, emphasizing that he would run an open door Government where collective decisions will be implemented and dignity and respect for all will be his watchwords.

Among the stakeholders who witnessed the election are, the Special Adviser to the Governor on internal Security Ikwo Local Government Area, Hon. Desmond Eleke, Professor Joshua Nweke, Elder Dr. Onuora Nweke, Elder Leonard Nwite Onwe, Chief Elder Nweke Onuenyim, the outgoing village Caretaker Chairman Chief Patrick Nwankwo and Mr.Sunday Nwori the National President of Ndiaguzu Urban Forum among others.