The people of Obudi -Agwa in Oguta LGA of Imo state, on Friday, 27th of December, 2024, convened a General Assembly meeting at the instance of the elder statesmen led by the Bishop (Dr.) Gideon Nwaeze, the Apex Leader of APC Oguta LGA, the Regent, Prince Uzoma Asor, Obudi Development Union, under Chief Vitalis Ekeh as the President-General, and the Councillor representing Obudi/Aro Ward in Oguta LGA Legislative Council.
The meeting, which was presided over by the President-General and held at Uzii Playground with the agenda of restoring total peace in the community, started with a prayer said by Dr. Bishop Divineking Akalador, the founder of Mercy Assembly International, who prayed for peace, love, and prosperity.
Bishop Divineking also prayed God to forgive the people of Obudi and heal their land.
This was followed by the blessing of kola nuts by the Land Priest of Obudi, Agwa (Ala Umuahii), Chief Oliver Elu, who called on the goddess of Obudi and Agwa clan at large to bring and actualise the peace the people are yearning for.
He however, made a stern pronouncement against anyone that will be causing further troubles that are capable of bringing Obudi into crisis to be smithed by the gods.
After this,the President-General read out the agenda of the meeting to the mammoth crowd, which includes the youths and the aged.
Reacting to the agenda, Hon. Justin Eze Asor, a former IMC member representing Obudi/Aro in Oguta LGA, Imo State, and also SA on strategic planning to the Federal Commissioner on NDDC representing Imo State in the Board, appealed to the people of Obudi to embrace total peace in order to attract development, such as road construction, particularly the Ubah-Agwa- Ejemekwuru road, which the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has given the go-ahead order to construct, and has been backed by the Executive Chairman of Oguta LGA, Hon. Ifeanyi Nnani, starting from January,2025.
Hon. Asor also reminded the Obudi People about the “Light Up Niger Delta” Programme of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Niger Delta.
In his words, “I want to use the opportunity to bring you a message from my principal, Hon. Kyrian Uchegbu, the NDDC Commissioner, about his plans to bring the ship of Light Up Niger Delta region with solar light.
Unfortunately, according to him, the programme is being hindered due to security challenges in Obudi and Agwa at large and, by extension, preventing contractors from coming into Agwa to work,while he beckoned the people to give peace a chance, so as unite and foster posterity.
Asor further stated while taking his turn to address the people of his ward, that Hon. Christian Okoro used the opportunity to thank Ndi Obudi for electing him as councillor of the Obudi/Aro Ward in the August,21,2024 Imo State Local Government and Councilorship Elections.
He,especially commended the efforts of Bishop (Dr.) G. U. Nwaeze for his efforts in bringing peace to Obudi and Agwa nation as a whole.
Okoro noted that as Bishop of a church and the Apex Leader of APC Oguta LGA, the task of making sure that Obudi returns to peaceful ways has been a top priority for Nwaeze, which he has followed up with his time and resources.
Fine Boy, as he was fondly called, also appreciated the efforts of other stakeholders of Obudi, both at home and in the diaspora, for their dogged commitment that the post-crisis peace restoration is sustainable, as well as all who are there at present to talk about peace.
“As a son of the soil, I grew up to see a united and peaceful Obudi, which was seen or is regarded as the Pride of Agwa, but unfortunately, the enemy came and brought crisis, which festered into the whole clan”.
He also used the occasion in reminding them that Obudi used to celebrate Obudi Day on every 26th day of December and General Assembly on the 27th of December.
He informed that such were avenues where the people charted the course of unity, progress, and development that became the envy of all.
Today, those historic moments are all gone to history owing to factionalism and the crisis,as he therefore appeal to them to forgive one another and give peace a chance.
According to him,as councillor, his tenure will not be successful if Obudi wallows in divisive tongues, adding that they need a united front to make progress, as peace is urgently needed to bring desirable development, because no community development attracts tangible government presence in the face of crisis.
Briefing the people on the programmes of the Executive Chairman of Oguta LGA, the majority leader of the Oguta Legislative Council said that the Ubah-Ejemekwuru- Agwa road has been awarded, and work will commence by January, which is enough reason for total peace restoration in order to increase the confidence of contractors to begin work on the road.
He equally stated that while the Light Up Niger Delta Programme of the NDDC Commissioner is to commence was because of the state of insecurity in Agwa, assuring the people that as soon as total peace is restored, the solar light installation in Agwa will commence.
He noted that the forming of the About 15 Solar Light Base and installation of 7 out of 15 were made by the courageous efforts of Hon. Justin Eze Asor and himself to ensure that the Agwa Police Divisional Headquarters was well-lit.
“On my honour as your counsellor, I want to promise us that as soon as total peace is restored, come next year, I will sponsor the Christmas Football Competition Cup. My good people of Obudi, we can only make progress when we are in unity.”
He urged the people to speak in the language of love and unity to restore the lost glory of their dear community.
In a related development, Mr. Pascal Uzomezie also talked about the need to restore the “Obudi of Old,” which is known for its unity and respect, even as Uzomezie narrated how Obudi used to relate internally and externally with honour and dignity. especially the cord of unity and strength that pervades the entire village.
He recalled how peaceful, fun, and celebratory the Christmas period used to be without any threat to the collective personal peace.
He, therefore, called on all and sundry to close ranks to pursue total peace in Obudi for greater development of the community and Agwa at large.
Also speaking, Chief Orikaeze,maintained that there is an honest reason to end the lingering crisis and all insignias in Obudi and Agwa, because of its destructive effects on the people in human and material losses.
He carefully noted with great displeasure how ungoverned the youths of Obudi has been in recent times, which has further contributed to the lingering of the crisis.
“I want to see Obudi youth come under one umbrella to have a voice, because, when the youths cannot be identified into a united group, it leads to further degeneration and crisis, as there will be more voices who are neither here nor there”.
“At this juncture of achieving this total peace, I think our collective efforts would pay off easily if we have an organised and functional youth body that will be responsible to the youth and report back to the central leadership of the community rather than when we allow them without a recognised leadership”,he retorted.
This according to him ,is because the majority of the actors during the crisis were the youth,as he suggest the leadership of the initiators of the peace talk should go back to brainstorm all that have been said there and reschedule for another day.
The people need peace in Obudi and Agwa for development, he said.
The meeting had others who spoke in favour of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation, which included the oldest man in Obudi, among othersers.
It ended peacefully with light refreshment.Some of the personalities who attended the meeting were Hon. William Chinedu Okenesi, Secretary, Apex Oguta and the Supervisory Councillor representing Obudi/Aro Ward; Mr. Fidelis Eberendu, former Traditional Prime Minister of Obudi; Hon. Hillary Eberendu, former IMC Chairman, Oguta LGA; Hon. John Mbonu Uchenwoke-Ekperechi, former House of Assembly aspirant; Chief Maurice Orusakwe; Mr. Ndubuzor Ibeawuchi, ODU Chairman, Owerri Branch, and members of the ODU, home branch, among others.
