An American Baptist pastor, Paul Chappell while reflecting between those who are wont to fan embers of bitterness and hate and those who love peace has these to say… “To replace the old paradigm of war with a new paradigm of waging peace, we must be pioneers who can push the boundaries of human understanding. We must be doctors who can cure the virus of violence. We must be soldiers of peace who can do more than preach to the choir. And we must be artists who will make the world our masterpiece.”
Perhaps, the peace loving Governor of Enugu state may once again have to swallow the bitter pill when he alongside the rest citizens of Enugu state was jolted by another gruesome death of a citizen in Oruku Community recently. This happened in spite of the peace efforts initiated by the state government powered by the peace loving Governor to resolve all lingering crisis in the agrarian community which has lasted for several years now.
The world woke up to a sad reality that another citizen working in concert with others to enthrone peace in Oruku in the Nkanu East local council and the Vice-Chairman Oruku Caretaker Committee, Chief Samuel Ani was murdered by unknown gun men. This was beside the fact that the Commission of Enquiry instituted by Governor Ugwuanyi to look into circumstances leading to another gruesome murder of the late traditional ruler of Oruku, late Igwe Emmanuel Mba in 2020 with a view to making far reaching recommendations on how to stem the tide of violence in the area and by extension other areas of the state who might want to ignite violence in their areas are still sitting and are yet to round off and submit their findings. My concern in all of this as a peace lover myself stems from the fact that injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. Today, it is happening in Oruku, it is important that all men of goodwill should stand up to condemn those perpetrating violence and fatalities anywhere. After all it is often said that evil persists when good men and women decides to do nothing. If we keep quiet because it is not our immediate community, what if it should escalate to ours tomorrow? God forbid!
Therefore it is incumbent on every peace loving citizen of this state to support Dr. Ifeanyi Nw’Ugwuanyi to ensure that peace is established and subsists in every corner of the state for a sustainable development. For where there is peace, there you will find love and progress also.
As Correta Scot King rightly pointed out… “We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community… The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.
It is important to remind the people of Oruku /Umuode and environs in the words of Hafsat Abiola..
“Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are.”
Our dear citizens elsewhere are reminded also in the words of the legendary Martin King junior as follows..
“Violence is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding: it seeks to annihilate rather than convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.”
It is therefore, time to join hands with our white caftan donning governor who embodies peace in all ramifications to create an enduring peace in every corner of our state. Anyone who deviates or seen to be supporting violence to cause chaos anywhere in the land will be branded an enemy of Ugwuanyi in particular and the peace loving people in general.
After all, the Good book admonished us to be peaceful for “Blessed are the Peace Makers, for they shall be called children of God”. Matt, 5:9.
We stand with Gburu-Gburu on peace all the way.
BIBIAN ANEKWE NEWS ADDED” NIGERIA AS A NATION NEEDS HIS EXCELLENCY GOV IFEANYI UGWUANYI COME 2023 AS OUR PRESIDENT, NO BETTER CANDIDATE THAN HIM
Written by
AUSTIN OKECHUKWU
CHIJIOKE
A PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTITIONER AND MEMBER ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
