THE EAGLES VOICE BLOG

UKELLE PEOPLE HEAVE A SIGH OF RELIEF AS THE SSA NORTH, MR LEO INYAMBE, VISITS CRISES AREAS

By Kadiri Abraham

December 6, 2018

Ukelle nation has been bedeviled with two major crises in recent times. While one of the crises is internal, the other one is external. The internal crises which can be traced to land dispute, is between Wanikade and Wanihem people of North Ukelle, in the north-western part of Yala, Cross River State.

The second one is the lingering war that has torn South Ukelle in Yala, Criver State and Izze people of Ebonyi State, apart. It was also gathered that the major cause of this war was land.

Mr Leo Inyambe, State Security Adviser, North, who has just been appointed by the Digital Governor of Cross River State, embarked on a fact-finding and peace mission, which gave the people of Ukelle a signal that God has started answering their prayers. Ukelle people were particularly marveled at his humble nature and swift response towards the recent occurrence, which took place two days earlier.

It was reported that Nkalike and Nchafor villages in Izzi Local Government of Ebonyi State polluted the river that serves as a source of water for four villages in South Ukelle – Ijama, Ogba, Ipollo and Adum.

The moment Mr. Leo who was alerted, he put a call through and volunteered to visit the affected areas of the pollution with immediate alacrity. This singular act has endeared him so much to Ukelle nation, just in one day. He went in the company of Mr. Asegem Destiny from, Mr. Isaac Okpokpo from Ntrigom and Mackson J., from Yahe.

Addressing Ukelle youth at Ntrigom, South Ukelle, few kilometers away from the four villages, whose river was contaminated, Mr. Leo said, “ I am very glad to that I’ve come to witness this incident myself. I am your own son who have been appointed by His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade. Considering the enormous task that is associated with the office I have just been appointed into, the Governor has, in his wisdom decentralize the roles – one in the south (i.e) Calabar axis, one in the Central and one in the North, where we all belong.”

He added that the situation at hand calls for immediate palliative measures to alleviate the suffering of the affected persons, warning that nobody should, for any reason, fetch water from the contaminated river. He concluded that his coming was to witness the incident and that the next step is to report to the Governor for immediate intervention.

Further, he enjoins members of the affected communities to remain calm as relevant security agencies in Cross River State have been informed , and that steps are been taken to contact the security agencies in Ebonyi State.

Reacting, Mr Isaac Okpokpo, former Secretary of Yala Local Government Area, expressed gratitude over the kind gesture of the SSA and outlined some grey areas that need immediate actions. “We are very glad that we now have our own brother who we can call at any time to take our message to His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade. Thank you for your swift response” he said. He recounted the ordeal faced by the delegates who were sent to Calabar in the hit of the war, yet nobody attended to them.

He further stated, “I am appealing that you tell the Governor to provide our people with food, drill boreholes, help us with hospital bills of people who have been injured, clothing, beddings, accommodation amongst others. Our people are hungry and many have been displaced”

Mr. Leo promised to take the message to the Governor and get back to the communities as soon as possible.

Though his primary aim of visiting Ukelle was to survey Ogba, Ipollo, Ijama and Adum villages whose water bodies were poisoned, yet he used one stone to kill two birds – he extended his visit to Wanikade village where he went to cut the olive branch between Wanikade and Wanihem over their unending acrimony.

At the palace, he dialogued with Ubet Stephen Ogede (Wanikade Clan Head), Ubet Columbus Ikade (Wanibolor Clan Head) and Ukelle Youth delegation, who went to ascertain reasons why the two clan heads had been boycotting Ukelle General Meeting.

The two Clan Heads opened up, stating that the lingering crisis between Wanikade and Wanihem istems from the disunity among Ukelle Clan Heads. To resolve the plight, therefore, there is need to call for a meeting where only clan heads can resolve their differences.

In the light of the above, the SSA touched down in the palace of the Chairman of Ukelle Council of Elders, at Ijiraga in South Ukelle to pass the message to him.

Members of Ukelle Youth Forum were very happy over these achievements so far, as the peace process being pursued, is apparently, becoming a reality.