Awka, Nigeria — Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, has urged communities involved in land disputes to adopt peaceful settlement methods, stressing that no life is worth losing over land issues. Dr. Ibezim, who serves as Chairman of the Anambra State Boundary Committee, made this appeal while addressing leaders from Awa and Ufuma communities in Orumba North Local Government Area over their ongoing boundary dispute.
The Deputy Governor advised the communities to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and instead pursue peace for a lasting resolution. “Let us always pursue peace as a means to achieving peaceful resolution,” he said, emphasizing the importance of dialogue over violence.
During the meeting, the traditional rulers of both communities, HRH Igwe I.O. Ezue of Awa and HRH Igwe S.C. Uchime of Ufuma, called on the state boundary committee to provide a clear demarcation of the boundary. They noted that despite court rulings, unresolved issues remained, prolonging tensions between the communities.
Chief Ernest Okafor, a representative from one of the communities, expressed gratitude to the government for its intervention and appealed for further efforts to bring lasting peace to the region.
Also present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Florence Idigo-Ibenta, the Executive Secretary of the State Boundary Committee, Dr. Oliseloka Mba, and the SSA to the Governor on Boundary Matters, Hon. Ekenechukwu Okoye, among other officials.
