-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Michael EKOKORUWE:
The youth wing of the apex social cultural body of Isoko Nation, Isoko Development Union (IDU) led by its interim president, Comrade Ede Ewariezi Hyacinth, has condemned the renewed hostility between Igbide and Emede communities in Isoko South local government area as scores of persons are feared dead and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
Comrade Ede Hyacinth, while speaking to newsmen at the national secretariat of Isoko Development Union in Oleh, appealed to Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State to urgently send security agents to restore peace in the warring communities of Igbide and Emede.
He stated that the invasion of Igbide and Emede by unidentified armed youths is condemnable, unacceptable and must be stopped forthwith.
He said, “We were created together by the Almighty God for the purpose of peaceful coexistence and to complement each other in the ways we can”. Ede Hyacinth maintained that the act of butchering citizens over pieces of land is worthless, and called on the youths in both communities to henceforth desist from being used as soldiers and tools of war in their own land.
While commending the efforts of Isoko Development Union and other stake holders towards lasting peace in both communities, Ede Hyacinth said, “Isoko is a land of peace and we must continue to remain a shining example to other ethnic nationalities”.
He further appealed to the state government to set up committee of inquiry to look into the causes of the recent crisis and find lasting solution to the impasse.
Ede Hyacinth said, ‘enough is enough’ and called on both communities to embrace peace and live in harmony, emphasizing that the crisis is disgusting in this New Year 2021.
The IDU interim youth president noted that the youth wing of Isoko Development Union is for the progress of Isoko land just as various committees were set to monitor projects and work in collaboration with the security agents. He charged members of various committees to strictly adhere to changing the narratives of Isoko nation.
He appealed to Governor Okowa to urgently send security agents to clear road blocks mounted by the warring communities along major roads, noting that people passing through the roads face constant harassment every day and night.
Ede Hyacinth commended the President General of Isoko Development Union, Dr. Chris Akpotu for setting up the youth wing body and urged the various committees to be strong, noting that the selection and subsequent inauguration is for effective representation of each community of Isoko Nation.
Earlier, Dr. Chris Akpotu urged the youth wing of Isoko Development Union to remain committed towards the development of Isoko ethnic nationality.
He noted that the youths have been reformed and should have positive attitudinal change in all activities of the body and urged them to be entrepreneurs, trusted, peaceful and rebranded youth wing of IDU.
