SaharaReporters can authoritatively confirm that the peace process
started on Tuesday, at the Uzere country home of the former Chief of
Defence Staff, Alexander Ogomudia, with the President General of Isoko
Development Union, Iduh Amadhe, the Managing Director of Delta State
Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Askia Ogieh, Sam Ogrih,
and other leaders of the community in attendance.
After weeks of the protracted crisis resulting from the N20-million
oil largesse meant for youths skill acquisition, peace is said to be
gradually returning to the once-troubled Uzere community, Isoko South
local government area of Delta State.
SaharaReporters can authoritatively confirm that the peace process
started on Tuesday, at the Uzere country home of the former Chief of
Defence Staff, Alexander Ogomudia, with the President General of Isoko
Development Union, Iduh Amadhe, the Managing Director of Delta State
Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Askia Ogieh, Sam Ogrih,
and other leaders of the community in attendance.
It was also reliably gathered that the chairman of Isoko South local
government, Itiako Ikpokpo, led some prominent leaders of Isoko South,
including Dennis Etaluku, Archbishop of the Oleh Diocese, Aruakpo,
Odiologbo of Owhe kingdom, the secretary to the council, Dennis
Obrogo, to the meeting which lasted several hours.
An impeccable source in the community, abreast of the matter, told
SaharaReporters: "The meeting discussed the former king, Odogri I, who
is in exile, oil money running into several millions of naira coming
to the community that is always causing crisis, the so-called armed
freedom fighters terrorizing the community and being used by some
powerful personalities in the community.
"Though the peace meeting could not be concluded, it was adjourned
until a later day where they will reconvene. But all the issues were
well deliberated on. I must commend the council boss, Chief Ikpokpo,
Chief Etaluku, Archbishop of the Oleh Diocese, Aruakpo, Odiologbo of
Owhe kingdom and all those working round the clock to bring lasting
peace in our community."
Confirming the parley, an Isoko South leader, Dennis Etaluku, member
of the newly inaugurated Delta State Advisory and Peace-building
Council, who was also part of the meeting, said, "Yes, there was a
peace meeting held at the instance of the former chief of defence
staff, Alexander Ogomudia. What we did was a step-by-step approach.
"We have been able to reconcile all the leaders of the Uzere community
with the former chief of defence staff, Alexander Ogomudia. The Uzere
leaders have now accepted Ogomudia as their father, leader, and boss.
And Ogomudia has forgiven all of them. Though we have first reconciled
the leaders (with one another), our next move is to treat all the
other issues and reconcile the entire community."
Etaluku added, "We have discovered that all the boys branding
themselves 'freedom fighters' in the community had at one time or the
other worked with all the leaders. Today, they are with you; tomorrow
they are with the other person. We have scheduled a meeting with the
boys. We have gone a long way into the issues and we will continue the
peace process."