I have no intention of reminding ourselves of the ugly incident of a few years back that saw our Oju main market and the surrounding houses burnt down. Only God knows why the crisis was carried to the market because it was never about the name or the market. I don’t intend to give the market a new name, as the real name is not in contention. But humorously, people feel safe now to call ONYIKE-IHYEJWO; you can ask them why. The crisis made Ukpa and Ibilla clans exhibit a show of force that is better imagined or, pithily put–better a dream that one would wake up and shout ‘God forbid’.
The February 6th 2021, avoidable and unloving destruction of hard-earned properties was termed a JUST-CRISIS by some of the wrongdoers because they claimed it was in defence of the integrity and boundaries of the communities concerned. Remember! Nobody was punished for all that happened, so no one will think is a wrong act, maybe only by the victims. Why will I bother myself with guilt when I am not punished but rather seen as a clannish hero? In polite terms–a show of ignoble force between brothers that destiny has brought to live very close to each other. We could wish away the reality and make a church-like positive declaration of faith- “it shall not happen, or the affliction shall not rise the second time”. That will be churchy enough.
Now, we have two options: to probe if we are really reconciled or is just at best a dramatization of love? To some of us, the distant pubic, there is unity, but could it be real or unity made in hell? I hope the current reality check will reveal love and peace and nullify my obvious concern and fear. The market has worn a new and relatively modern look, but I would personally prefer a new look of brotherliness and genuine love than a new look of buildings. Let me be optimistic, Ukpa and Ibilla are one in thoughts, words and actions. No provocation will be fierce enough to ignite a fire that will burn houses again.
Thank goodness the general census is postponed, but it will surely come one day.
My questions are:
i. What is the current state of the disagreement that led to the crisis?
ii. Has it been adequately sorted out, and will there be tranquillity during the actual census?
iii. Are the real owners determined, and what is the agreed name the contentious area will bear?
iv. Are there hanging litigations anywhere about the issue? Who are those responsible for determining them?
v. I hope the concerned stakeholders and the relevant mediators are not thinking of living by chance rather than reality, or waiting to submit to circumstances instead of managing it.
To whom it may concern– this generation and the ones yet unborn want every part of Igede land to be enumerated, and a glitch for any reason will not be accepted. The last census in 1991 was a full-blown war. Painfully, we know that a society is as strong as its weakest member–but nobody is ready to allow a particular segment of the society to determine the overall progress alone. It is very easy to shoot an arrow when the target is opposite you; we cannot afford this time to pierce ourselves to free ourselves from marginalization.
A stopped clock is right twice a day, but that does not mean it is the best to use–nobody should ask me to explain what I mean by a stopped clock– go to court if you must know.
We should begin to speak peace rather than discord and speak the language of God rather than that of the devil. A stitch in time saves nine. Every part of Igede MUST be counted and we should make sure there is no hindrance anywhere. Igede will survive.
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