LG Boss Tasks Umuechem Indigenes On Peace

The Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Hon. Ephraim Nwuzi has advised the people of Umuechem community to stop formenting crisis and embrace peace.

The chairman gave the advice during the swearing-in of the six-man committee to oversee the activities of the community, last Thursday in the area.

Umuechem was engulfed by internal crisis months ago which led to the burning of houses and death of no fewer than five persons of the area.

Hon. Nwuzi expressed sadness over the crisis, which he said he tried his best to avert, but to no avail. He was, however, optimistic that peace has come to stay in the community since it was initiated by an indigene, Rev. Fr. Cyril Onwuli.

The council boss, who commended Rev.Fr. Onwuli for the initiative, also enjoined members of the committee to be courageous in the discharge of their assignment, warning that names of indigenes who would forment crisis in the area should be forwarded to his office for appropriate disciplinary measure.

In his own speech, Rev. Fr. Onwuli appealed to the indigenes of Umuechem to put the crisis behind them and see themselves as brothers and sisters for the community to move forward.

The cleric, who canvassed support for the committee also stressed the need for the committee members to be selfless and always do their work with the fear of God.

Also speaking, an educationist from the area, Mrs. Benedicta Eze- Nwala, who read copiously from the Bible expressed optimism that God would not depart from the community.

Another Catholic priest resident in the community, Akpan corroborated the speeches of Rev. Fr. Onwuli and Mrs. Eze-Nwala.

In an interview shortly after the ceremony, one of the committee members, Apostle Cyril Onyesoh, assured that the committee will not fail in its assignment while a youth, Mr. Emmanuel Nwachukwu was happy over the return of peace and appealed to the chairman of the local government not to withdraw the security personnel from the area, yet.

The committee members are Messrs Joseph Nwugu, Cyril Onyesoh, Anyanwu Samuel, Apostle Ndubueze Loveday Onu, Elders Simeon Amadi and Jonathan Nwugu.  

Umunna Okere