Two Anambra communities settle 50-year-old land dispute

• Commends Gov. Obiano, Okeke, stakeholders for bringing peace
Stakeholders in Umudunu Agbaja Abate and Umuezeobodo Ajilija Ogidi in Anambra state have commended the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, his Deputy/Chairman, Anambra state Boundary Committee, Dr Nkem Okeke and Chief Sam O, Anyanwutaku(Obataobie N’ Ogidi), for resolving the 50-year-old land dispute between the two communities.

In his address presented at the official commissioning of newly emplaced monuments at Umudunu Agbaja Abate/ Umuezeobodo Ajilija Ogidi boundary corridor, yesterday, the secretary, conciliation and peace Committee, Prof Obiora Ikpeze, commended their presence among others to the event, regretting that peace and harmony had eluded people in this area for so long.

“There has been no development in the area, roads were abandoned, the primary health centre also remained unused because of conflicts”, he noted.

Going down memory lane on the efforts to make peace, he said, “We recall that for more than 50 years, these two communities were not privileged to sit together to discuss as neighbours, but by divine intervention and through the instrumentality of Chief Sam Obi Anyanwataku, a peace movement was initiated to resolve the then lingering land dispute.

“After seven sittings between January and April 2021, the boundary Delineation dub sub-committee achieved her mandate and was re-designated as conciliation and peace committee of Umudunu Agbaja Abate and Umuezeobodo Ajilija Ogidi.

“On 16, April 2021, members of Umudunu Agbaja Abatete and Umuezeobodo Ajilija Ogidi happily wrote to inform Your Excellency that peace and settlement have been achieved finally on the dispute and requested that Anambra state Boundary Committee can now commence with their work without fear or disturbances…., Today we are all witnesses to the outcome of the positive interaction”.

Ikpeze urged the two communities to respect the accord and live in peace, just as he informed that the communities have appealed to Your Excellency that this boundary road be named “Obataobie road” after the convener of this conciliation and peace committee.

In a remark, Chief Sam Anyanwataku commended the two communities for welcoming and endorsing the peace agreement, saying it is for their generations, adding, “It is not by my power, but God’s work.

“This agreement will usher in peace in Abatete and Ogidi. There’s no gain in fighting”, as he condemned those who arm the youths and give them dangerous drugs which they use to cause confusion in their communities.
In his speech, Dr Nkem Okeke, commended the two communities for endorsing the agreement and stakeholders who made peace possible, stressing that the demarcation is for administrative purposes and not a tool for division.

He expressed joy that the matter which has lasted for 50 years was resolved during his term in office, reminding that the two communities are brothers, and should live peacefully.

Okeke who earlier cut the tape to mark official commissioning of newly emplaced monuments of the boundary corridor between the two communities blamed the youths for allowing themselves be used to cause trouble in their towns/villages.

He said, “The youths are the problem, they criticize the elders, accusing them of selling or willing out their ancestral lands, and are armed to kill each other. … Don’t allow yourselves be used.

“I am happy to be here, to witness the settlement. I am ending my tenure on a positive note. It takes sincerely in your heart to have peace. Our effort is to encourage peace in Anambra communities”.