Peace Returns To Rivers Community

In a rare and uncommon display of unity and gratitude, residents of Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, alongside government officials, religious leaders and traditional rulers, among others, recently gathered  at St Simon’s Anglican Church in the community and held  a grand peace restoration thanksgiving ceremony.
The event, as it were, was a celebration of the return of lasting and enduring peace to the community, after a period of conflict and unrest that affected the community.
It actually lived up to its billing as all that graced the colourful ceremony, particularly leaders of the community exchanged banters and pleasantries with one another, in a true spirit of camaraderie,  love and deeper and stronger bonds, to prove  that past injuries had been buried and forgotten.
In his sermon, Venerable Enente Nanna said, “We are here to thank the Almighty God for restoring peace to our land,” pointing out that “the thanksgiving is not only a celebration but  a reminder of our shared responsibility to maintain peace and unity among ourselves.”
The thanksgiving celebration featured prayers, cultural displays, praise and worship sessions and goodwill messages from key stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of Ikuru Conflict Resolution Committee, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofiks(rtd)  expressed appreciation to God and all peace partners, who played pivotal roles in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation.
The Administrator of Andoni  Local Government Council, Surveyor Atajit Francis;
the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, who was represented by ACP Ojiaku Festus; and other stakeholders urged residents of the community to sustain the spirit of unity and remain vigilant, saying, “Peace is the foundation for development. With this new beginning, the government remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote harmony and socio-economic growth.”
On his part, the Paramount Ruler of Ikuru Town, King Aaron Ikuru also shared testimonies of how the return of peace has transformed daily life, restoring access to schools, markets and places of worship that were once abandoned due to insecurity.
The peace restoration thanksgiving ceremony ended with a  communal feast, signifying freedom, hope and a renewed bond of togetherness in the community.
In his vote of thanks, Prof. Lysias   Gilbert, vice chairman of the peace restoration committee, thanked all the parties involved in the conflict for accepting the peace settlement option.
On behalf of the committee, he also expressed sincere gratitude to the Admistrator of Andoni Local Government Council, Surveyor Atajit Francis, and all the security personnel who had made enormous sacrifices towards the resolution of the community conflict.
Prof Gilbert enjoined all to sincerely embrace the peace settlement by forgiving one another, attending meetings summoned by the Okaan-Ama, and living peacefully with one another.