Umunya community ends rifts, as Obiano calls for peace

By John Ndu
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Anambra State government has advised the people of Umunya community to fashion out measures that would promote unity and peace among them.

The state Gov, Chief Willie Obiano disclosed that during the peace parley, at the Secret land of Umunya, Oyi local government Area.

The momentous peace talk was initiated by the traditional ruler of Umunya, HRM, Igwe Kris Onyekwuluje, to resolve rifts and embrace peace, for the development of the community.

It attracted creme-de-la-creme in the community, as well as government officials, market women, regardless of the fact it was held on their market day.

Our reporter gathered that the secret land of Umunya was not a regular meeting village square, but a holy of holies, meant to deliberate grievous cases.

The Chief Priest of the community who arrived the venue with a Ojii-rattling staff, (symbol of authority of a deity with a mystical power) mandated that all respondents must remove their shoes before giving testimonies, warning that anyone who testified falsely would die after seven days.

It was observed that the petitioners, knowing the implications of the rituals absconded from the meeting.

Opportunities were given for people to express their views. Those who spoke on bare footed exonerated the traditional ruler from the crisis, as some alleged.

Gov Obiano, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Traditional Institution and Community Matters, Mr Benjamin Umerah, noted that the present administration had mapped out avenues, for communities to key in his developmental strides.

Gov Obiano stressed that his administration would continue providing enabling factors that would ensure healthy living and welfare of the people.

He urged them to embrace health insurance scheme, charging wealthy people in the community to sponsor indigent and widows who could not afford to enroll, as such would promote unity and peace.

He said, “Without peace, your community can not attain development. You already have a highly respected king in the person of Igwe Kris Onyekwuluje, and in my estimation he has been doing well, and the governor, Chief Willie Obiano regards him highly.

“It would only be good for you to support your king to continue to discharge his duties creditably instead of distracting him with protests and accusations.” He added.

On his part, Igwe Onyekwuluje recalled that Oji-ana age grade (an association of oldest people in the community) had no constitutional right to litigate on community issues, but due to the honesty of its former leadership, he delegated them with such function.

The previlage was abused when the suspected acting leadership took over and started challenging the authority of the traditional ruler.

It was due to this that some miscreants in the community started alleging the traditional ruler of intimidation, forceful possession of their lands, among others.

This led to protest at the government house and as well counter protest in favour of the traditional ruler.

Some of the Oji -ana members, Mr Geoffrey Abachinam and Mr Reuben Jephat said the said petition from Oji -ana was never written, and was not in agreement with the members of the age grade.

They said the age grade were known for truth and Igwe Kris Onyekwuluje had been on the right track.

Chief Reuben Jephat moved a motion for the community to remain peaceful and to ostracize anyone who would enforce cause trouble in the community. It was seconded by Nze Emma Nweke.

Igwe Onyekwuluje pardoned his distractors and called on the gods of the land to go after whoever that would tarnish his throne, after the day's resolution.

There were cannon shots, jubilation and exchange of pleasantries.

Udo ka anyị chọrọ.

Udo ka mma.

Modern chief priest