Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Chairman, Anambra State Truth, Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, has called on stakeholders in the South-East to fashion out finer ways of achieving better security as peace and stability are paramount to the zone’s indigenisation agenda.
Odinkalu made the call in Awka, the Anambra State capital, during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Justice Commission.
The Commission was established by the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, in the wake of the insecurity crisis in the State in particular and in the South-East region and was mandated to uncover the truth, provide justice, and promote peace and security.
The stakeholders’ engagement was organised to foster dialogue that will address the remote and immediate causes of the agitations, restiveness, violence, and armed struggle in the South-East.
Speaking during the meeting, Odinkalu, emphasised the importance of collective participation in achieving security.
He highlighted that the Commission seeks to create a platform for open dialogue on ways to restore normalcy and consistency in the region, acknowledging that peace and stability in the region is very paramount to promoting indigenisation.
Odinkalu said the security of lives and properties should be placed on the front burner at all times, adding that everyone must be actively involved in the quest for adequate security in the region.
“We have serious problems to deal with. The commission will be looking at attacks on public facilities. There is a need to restore peace and normalcy back to the South-East, due to different agitations, human blood is no longer sacred in the South-East as killings have become very rampant and hundreds of people have died in the region.
“That is why this stakeholder engagement is very important and we cannot take it for granted. But particularly, we are looking at certain communities that have been ravaged by insecurity and these include Ukpor, Ihiala, Okija, Orsumoghu, Lilu, Obosi, Umunze, among others,” he said.
In her remark, the Secretary of the Commission, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, expressed optimism to the outcomes of the stakeholders’ engagement.
She noted that the Commission is dedicated to transparency and impartiality, assuring participants that their inputs and suggestions would be duly considered in the development of future policies and programmes.
On his part, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, commended the commission for its commitment to ensuring the restoration of security in Anambra.
He, however, urged the people to always stand for the truth and work closely with the security agencies to achieve a high level of security in the state.
Other speakers including the Majority Leader, Anambra State House of Assembly, Honourable Ikenna Ofodeme and the National Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, praised the Commission for its inclusiveness and commitment to ensuring a peaceful and stable environment.
