By Ugo Willies
Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, southeast Nigeria has called for more unity among his country’s citizens, as he pledged a conducive environment for northerners to invest in the State.
The Governor was speaking through Chief Kalu Kalu Ogbu, the Enachioken (Paramount ruler) of Abiriba Kingdom ruler), Abia State, Monday morning in Gombe, northeast Nigeria, during a peace meeting.
A cattle market was attacked few weeks ago in Omumuazu, Ukwa West Council Area, Abia State, where nine lives were lost, seven of them, Gombe indigenes.
The monarch, who said he was in Gombe, following Governor Ikpezu’s directives, deeply regretted the sad event while condoling the Government and people of Gombe State.
He described the attack as the handwork of misguided and ill advised fellows just as he commended Governor Ikpeazu’s peace initiative and action to deal with perpetrators of the dastardly attack.
He also commended the Government of Gombe State for working round the clock to keep the peace in the State.
According to him, by the action of the Government of Gombe State, there is hope for the survival of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He extolled the virtues of the Emir of Akko, Alhaji Umar Muhammad Atiku, for hosting him for three days.
The Emir of Akko, in turn, commended the approach and the zeal to the peace initiative by the Abia State delegation.
He said peace building was needed in Nigeria for the people to continue to live in unity.
Commenting, the Acting National President of the Amalgamation of Cattle Dealers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Yahuza Yusuf, appreciated the response of the Abia State Government after the attack.
He explained that the Governor had already met some of their needs which include, the compensation of N150,000 for every cow destroyed, relocating their market as well as fencing and providing it with water.
He also commended Governor Ikpeazu for not allowing them carry bodies of their dead brothers back to the north for burial as they were buried in Abia State.
He however stated that the promise made by the Governor to give each affected family the sum of N2million has not reached them yet, but expressed happiness that peace has returned to the area now.
In his remark, the Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr. Manasseh Daniel Jatau, said the essence of the meeting was to sustain a bridge that was about to be damaged, so that it does not collapse.
While assuring that the Gombe State Government would continue to sustain the existing peace in the State, he said the senseless killings experienced in many parts of the country is because “we have abandoned our cultural and religious values. People no more respect the sanctity of life”.
He then commended Governor Ikpeazu for sending the delegation to Gombe and as well, called on the people of Abia to also join their people in Gombe State and invest.