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By Tunde Uchegbuo
Indigenes of Obelle community in Emohua local council in Rivers State may return to their homes sooner than anticipated following the intervention of the president of the Ijaw Youth Council worldwide (IYC), Comrade Peter Igbifa, in the crisis that left the community desolate for over six months.
In a meeting with a delegation from the community on Thursday, September 8 in Port Harcourt, the IYC president urged all the parties in the crisis to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
Igbifa, who expressed sadness over the loss of lives and property and the dehumanizing conditions the people have been subjected to in the different places they are taking refuge, reminded the warring groups that development cannot thrive in the community if peace does not return to the place.
The IYC helmsman while commending the leaders of the groups involved in the crisis for their genuine remorse and earnest commitment toward lasting peace in the area, enjoined them to ensure that the process is not scuttled, promising that efforts would be made at helping them to start a new life.
He cautioned that those who renege from the collective efforts to return sustainable peace to Obelle community should be prepared to contend with the powers of the state.
The Andoni-born IYC helmsman, who hinted that his presidency is not for the Ijaw nation alone, disclosed that he would employ all proactive means to usher a new dawn in Obelle and other troubled areas in the entire Niger Delta.
Responding, the chairman, Obelle council of chiefs, Chief Christopher Ohaka, the public relations officer, Dr. Dominic Azuokwu, the councillor representing the community at Emohua legislative assembly, Hon. Henry Eferegbo, the supervisory councillor for works, Hon. Solomon Ikpo, Barrister Justice Amadi, former chairman of the CDC, and Mrs. Emilia Eze applauded the IYC president for taking interest in restoring peace and security to the community.
Commending him for the move, even when the community is not part of the Ijaw nation, they described his action as selfless and worthy of emulation, and appealed that the reconciliation should be all-embracing, while assuring to offer whatever support that could fast-track the restoration of peace and the tarnished image of the town and the dignity of its indigenes.
Meanwhile, Mr. Vincent Reuben, also called Cairo, who is the leader of one of the warring groups, and the commander of EMOVIS in Obelle, Mr. Boniface Ofor, reaffirmed the determination of the different groups they represent to end the bloodbath in the land.