Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, has rewarded Jeremiah Obaji with N10 million for trekking 633 km from Lagos to Abakaliki.
The 37-year-old businessman undertook the journey on 22 August, to indicate solidarity with Governor Nwifuru’s peace initiatives within the Effium/Ezza-Effium neighborhood of Ohaukwu Native Authorities Space, which was affected by violent conflicts since January 2021.
Mr Obaji arrived in Abakaliki on Sunday morning, greeted by a whole lot of supporters earlier than assembly the governor.
He trekked for 17 days in the course of the day whereas resting at evening in any close by village. Mr Obaji left Lagos with solely two T-shirts and a pair of footwear.
He was acquired on behalf of the governor by the Chief of Workers Emmanuel Echiegu. Governor Nwifuru counseled Mr Obaji’s braveness and willpower and offered him with the N10 million money reward.
Talking to reporters, Mr Obaji stated his trek was motivated by the governor’s position in ending communal clashes that claimed a whole lot of lives and displaced many households.
“My neighborhood was in a critical disaster. Many lives had been misplaced, and properties had been destroyed. I trekked to Abakaliki to thank Governor Nwifuru for restoring peace,” he stated.
Mr Obaji’s media aide, Knowledge Nwedene, praised the governor for restoring stability.
“The big turnout welcoming Jeremiah Obaji demonstrates how a lot Ebonyians worth peace and the governor’s management,” he stated, thanking supporters who assisted in the course of the trek.
Mr Nwedene additionally thanked supporters who assisted Mr Obaji throughout his trek.
“To all Ebonyians who supported Jeremiah Obaji Nworu, your solidarity and love present the worth of peace in our communities,” Mr Nwedene added.
Background
The Effium/Ezza-Effium disaster began on 22 January 2021 after a conflict between two native political leaders, Clement Odah, then council chairman from Effium, and Chinedu Awo, an Ezza member of the Ebonyi State Home of Meeting, over market and motor-park income management.
What began as a management tussle shortly escalated right into a full-blown communal warfare. The 2 clans, who had lived peacefully for many years, intermarried and shared cultural ties, out of the blue turned towards one another.
The violence spiralled into killings, arson, and mass displacement. By mid-2021, a whole lot had been killed, hundreds displaced, and villages destroyed.
At this time, Effium stays largely abandoned, as many inhabitants fled to different elements of Ebonyi, the South-East, and past. Regardless of authorities and civic interventions, peace efforts have struggled to carry. Analysts notice that what started as a transport union rivalry has since advanced right into a deeper battle over land, politics, and native income.
State authorities’s actions
In Could, Governor Nwifuru signed a peace accord into legislation, commenced land demarcation, and authorised the creation of 5 autonomous communities, three for Effium indigenes and two for his or her Ezza counterparts.
“We’ve been in a position to champion peace with dignity and respect for humanity. Some individuals are benefiting from this disaster, however this authorities won’t enable them to sabotage peace,” the governor stated whereas signing the legislation on the Authorities Home, Abakaliki.
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Nevertheless, the Effium neighborhood has rejected elements of the choice, particularly the ceding of land and creation of autonomous communities. Its leaders have vowed to problem the transfer in court docket, accusing the governor of favouring the Ezza folks.
