By Ebi Ajali
In an atmosphere charged with emotion but guided by hope, the Amasiri and Edda communities took deliberate steps toward reconciliation by paying separate peace visits to the Minister of Works, Senator Engineer David Nweze Umahi, yesterday.
The Amasiri delegation, led by the suspended Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Amadi Omaka, SAN, met with the Minister at his Abakaliki residence in the morning hours, while the Edda delegation, led by the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Chima Ekumankama visited him later at his Uburu residence. Though separate in schedule, both visits were united in purpose: to restore brotherhood and end the painful crisis that has strained the longstanding relationship between the two communities.
Receiving the delegations, Senator Umahi spoke not just as a political leader, but as a father deeply troubled by the loss of lives and destruction that have occurred. He described the visits as courageous and commendable, noting that peace begins when leaders are willing to sit, listen, and reflect.
With visible concern, he condemned in the strongest terms the violence and bloodshed, reminding both communities that Amasiri and Edda share more than borders — they share history, culture, political alignment, and generations of intertwined relationships. He expressed disbelief at the magnitude of the destruction, emphasizing that no grievance should ever justify the taking of human life.
In a solemn tone, he stressed that while governments and individuals may forgive in pursuit of peace, accountability before God remains supreme. Acts of violence, he warned, carry consequences that extend beyond the immediate moment, affecting families and generations. His message was clear: peace is not weakness; it is responsibility.
The Minister urged both communities to view the decisions and interventions of the state government led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, not through the lens of suspicion, but as sacrifices consciously made to give peace a genuine opportunity. According to him, leadership sometimes requires difficult decisions, but such decisions must always aim at preserving lives and protecting the future.
He also cautioned against individuals who inflame tensions through misinformation and emotional manipulation, noting that crises should never be exploited for personal attention or social media relevance. Such actions, he observed, only deepen wounds and delay healing.
As a practical step forward, Senator Umahi encouraged both communities to issue a clear communiqué denouncing violence and rejecting any sponsorship of unrest. He emphasized that sustainable peace requires collective responsibility and a public commitment to non-violence.
In their responses, leaders of both delegations expressed deep appreciation for the Minister’s fatherly counsel and steady leadership. They reaffirmed their confidence in him and in the government of Ebonyi State, pledging to work tirelessly toward reconciliation and the restoration of the brotherhood that once defined their relationship.
The visits marked not just meetings, but meaningful steps toward healing, a reminder that even in moments of deep pain, dialogue remains the strongest bridge to peace.
