By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
After 26 years of protracted crisis, the Akwa Ibom chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo have concluded plans to celebrate Igbo Unity Day to mark the end of the crisis and celebrate the reunion of Igbos living in the state.
This is even as the leadership of the apex Igbo cultural organization in the state have estimated the crisis to have cost at least N400 million in litigations with several.lives lost in the process
The event with the theme: Peace and Progress; A Panacea for Progress and Development” according to the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state Kayceey Chidiadi would bring together the 31 Local chapters of the organization to Uyo next week
Chidiadi regretted that some of the prominent persons who engaged in the crisis that rocked the Igbo community in the state have passed away and assured that they would be posthumously honoured during the event as peace and unity have returned and embraced by all factions.
According to the President, “to achieve the peace unity and progress we are celebrating today, my administration upon assumption of duty pioritised reconciliation of all factions, it was a very big task but we withered the storm after several sessions, we were able to bring all warring factions on a round table and signed a lasting peace accord”.
He highlighted that his team through the assistance of the court succeeded in obtaining an out of Court settlement for all the cases instituted as a result of the crisis with warring factions agreeing to shear their sword.
To make the event very memorable, he said that Igbos in the state have been urged to shut down all their business outlets, appealing to the Igbos in the entire 31 local government areas of the state to troop out en masse for the august occasion.
The President who declared end to all factions which hither to existed in Igbo community in the state announced that his administration has extended the chapters of the body in the state from 11 to 27 chapters and would inaugurate the remaining 4 chapters after the coming event to complete the 31 local government areas of the state.
Chidiadi said that Igbos have contributed in no small measure to the socio economic progress of the state and called for support and cooperationfrom indegenes of the area for mutual.benefit.
His administration, the President said has made wide ranging efforts to ensure the growth and progress of the organization while gains have been made in recent times.
“My administration has also ensured we have a befitting Secretariat, a working bank account for the body and also planning to secure our permanent Secretariat for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state.
“Igbos are very progressive and development minded race and usually add value to any community they live, they build homes and take such areas as their home which means they will never engage in any negative activity to undermine their host community.” He said.
Chidiadi described Akwa ibom as a very peaceful state and her people very hospitable adding that the government of Umo Eno has provided serene and secured environment for thwir businesses to thrive.
