EnuguCommunitiesCementPeacewithFootballTournament

The Chairman, Nkanu East Local Government Transition Council, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, has commended the Oruku, Aguipka, and Umuode communities in the LGA for finally bringing to an end the age-long hostilities among them. He spoke at the final match of the Orukwu-Aguipka-Umuode Unity Football Competition, which Oruku community won by a lone goal against Umuode community at the end of the yultide.

Hon. Edeh praised the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for initiating the processes that brought the communal hostilities among the Nkanu East communities to a happy end.

The Council Chairman, who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Abel Nwatu, and the Secretary to the Council, Hon. Cajetan Anichukwu, encouraged the youths in particular to continue to embrace football as a uniting force to further cement the peace enthroned in their communities and also pledged the Council’s support to sustain the

“A few years ago, nobody would have believed that a day like this could be possible, a day these communities would be playing together as brothers that they are.

“This is just one of the confirmations that Enugu State is truly in the hands of God under the leadership of a man of peace.

“While I congratulate Oruku on lifting the cup, I believe that the entire communities of Oruku, Aguikpa, and Umuode and indeed Enugu State are all winners.

“I must also commend the numerous community leaders like Prof Bart Nnaji, Justice Onovo (Retd) ), Hon. Ejike Ani, Hon Emmanuel Omaba, Chief Raphael Ani, former Council Chairman – Ikechukwu Ubagu, Prof. Joe Ukaemenam, the traditional rulers of the communities, town union leaderships, security agencies, and a host of others, for ensuring that we witnessed a day like this”, he added.

He called on other communities around the country to always emulate the Oruku, Aguikpa, Umuode example, and Enugu State model, stressing that there could never be any meaningful development without peace.

It is recalled that the Oruku and Umuode communities were until recently locked in protracted communal clashes that spanned decades, thus resulting in loss of numerous lives and properties.