Egbeagu-Umuoji Fish Pond Crisis: Emeneka Calls for Sustainability of Peace-Accord

By  Ukpa Ewa

The immediate past member that represented Anambra East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Pharmacist Obinna Emeneka has appealed to parties involved in the recent fish-pond  ownership crisis between Egbeagu Village, Eziagulu Otu Aguleri and Umuoji Village, Umuoba Anam, both in Anambra East Local Goverment Area, to work towards sustainable peace.

Hon Emeneka gave the advice while speaking when the traditional rulers of Umuoba Anam, Igwe George Obalum-Ekwealor and his Eziagulu Otu Aguleri counterpart, Igwe Lawrence Nwofia visited him.

AnambraDaily gathered that the process of amicable resolution of the crisis reached a new milestone on Monday, February 17 following the successful rite of Iko Nmee by both parties at the Anambra East Local Government Headquarters, Otuocha.

The blood-letting atonement ritual, according to sources, brings to an end to hostilities, killing and attacks on both sides.

“Once this Iko-mee ritual is performed, any person or group of persons who attack or kill anyone in respect of that mather will bear personal consequences for that as the two communities are no longer in confrontatonal dispute as far as this fish Pond matter is concerned”, a member of the committee working on the dispute told AnambraDaily in confidence.

Even as Emeneka commended the monarchs for quickly rally their people behind the peace deal.

The former lawmaker stressed that only an atmosphere of peace and conviviality can bring socioeconomic development to any society.

Emeneka who’s fondly called Ijele Omambala by his political associates and admirers, described Umuoba Anam as his second home while Igwe Nwofia of Eziagulu Otu Aguleri and the entire Ndi Aguleri are his friends, having effectively represented the Communities before.

He further extolled and commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, an All Progressives Grand Alliance stakeholder in Anambra North Senatorial District, Chief Primus Odili (Okosisi Aguleri), the Mayor of Anambra East Local Goverment Area, Hon Ifeanyi Chinweze among  numerous other stakeholders for their interventions to ensure that peace returns to the area,

The Nando pharmacist maintained that in line with Governor Soludo’s quest and drive to entrench a peaceful, secure, liveable and prosperous homeland, every community must endeavour to maintain peace within itself and with their neighbours in order to benefit maximally in the dividends of democracy being spread by the Soludo’s administration in the State.

He also called on the youths of the two communities to eschew violence and rancour and embrace peace, key into the state government’s policies and programmes especially the innovative one youth two skills empowerment initiative that has made Anambra youths to be viable, financially independent and equally employers of labour.