…signs Peace deal

BENIN CITY – OBAGIE-NEVBUOSA (IKPOBA-OKHA) – The crisis in Obagie-Nevbuosa Commmunity in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas of Edo State which factionalised the community was finally resolved at the weekend.

One of the highpoints of the resolution was at an elarged of the community held at the Oguedion when Enogie of Obagie-Nevbuosa, His Royal Highness, Usiomwanta Stephen Imadonmwinyi endorsed Mr Festus Edegbe to continue as Okaighele of the community.

The Enogie also prayed for Edegbe and wished him well in the position.

He said his decision was arrived at in the presence of another contender for the position, Mr. Ben Imafidon what had prior to the weekend meeting agreed to work with the leadership of Edegbe as Okaighele in the interest of peace, progress and development of Obagie-Nevbuosa commmunity.

The Enogie also used the occasion to urge Mr Imafidon to support Edegbe to succeed in the position of Okaighele.

The meeting had in attendance, the Odionwere of the community, Pa Omozuhiomwen Aiguobatile Okungbowa, members of the two factions which emerged during the crisis, members of the Peace
Committee set up by the AIG Zone 5, with Hon Osamede Edorodion as Chairman, as well as other commmunity elders, men and women.

On his part, the Odionwere of the community tasked everyone to support Edegbe to bring about lasting peace, progress and development in the community.

Responding, the Okaighele appreciated the people for the confidence reposed in him and promised to be above board at all times.

He said his endorsement is a further call to duty for which, he said he would perform with all due diligence.

Members of the community in separate interviews were unanimous in their quest for lasting peace in the community, while appreciating God and other stakeholders whom God Almighty used to bring the factionalisation of the community to an end.

Members of the various factions later signed a peace deal to seal the truce entered into.

With the signing of the peace deal, land is therefore communally owned and shall be administered for the overall good of the community.

The Enogie does not have the uniteral authority to sell land in the community, while Festus Edegbe shall be the Okaighele of the community.

No member of the community shall sell land without the consent of the relevant and assigned authority.

Every land previously sold in the community shall be subject to verification and where necessary, might be revoked.

A Plot Allotment Committee, which membership shall not exceed six persons and a bush inspector as well as pointer committee shall be set up.

Arrangements shall be made to compensate victims of the clashes occasioned by the crisis in the community, while all pending cases in the law court be withdrawn.

Any party in breach of the contents of the peace deal shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable.

What ever decision arrived at does not preclude members of the community from farming in the community land.