By Agnes Okafor-Igwe, The Rake Correspondent, Abakaliki
A non-governmental organization identified as Finger of God Foundation in the Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State has trained community stakeholders on measures to ensure absolute lasting peace and security of lives and properties in the area.
Coordinator of the NGO Pastor Vincent Awoke during the one-day leadership seminar held at Ngbo West development centre headquarters Ijinike for all stakeholders, village heads, vigilante members, town union executives and all leaders of thought in Ngbo and Izhiangbo clans noted that the major objective of the foundation is building Godly leadership and caring for the welfare of the people.
According to Awoke, ” the foundation thought it wise as part of its social responsibility to organize the one-day leadership seminar with the theme: “the role of village heads on community security and development”, realizing that there will be no meaningful development without a peaceful environment.
He expressed optimism that the seminar if taken seriously by the grassroots leaders will complement the efforts of the state government in achieving peace in all nooks and crannies of the LGA and state.
He explained that “The Finger of God Foundation is a non-governmental organization whose motto is “Leadership anchored on God”. The Foundation had earlier on engaged in repositioning the positive thinking psyche of our youths in Ngbo and Izhiangbo clans towards engaging them in meaningful professions, trade academic and other lawful business. These were done through seminars and talks courtesy of our patron Distinguished Senator Anthony Agbo.
“In similar scenarios, like in the heights of IPOB disturbance and pockets of crisis between Ngbo and Agila people, engagement meetings with good resultant effects have been called to quell any possible brake down of law and order all to the credit of the foundation. Members of the foundation are currently numbering about 100 comprising of people of proven integrity as anyone with questionable character can not be admitted into the fold.”
On her part, the State Commissioner of Police Adaku Uche- Anya represented at the program by ACP Osigimo Ikoli expressed joy that Ebonyi is the most peaceful state in South East, called for community proactive policing with the involvement of all stakeholders, village heads and residents of the area.
The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the commitment of the State command to ensure the security of lives and property and encouraged participants of the seminar to avail the police of accurate and timely information to achieve the mandate.
Addressing the people Ohaukwu Council chairman Ikechukwu Odono and the Coordinator of Ngbo West Development Center Samuel Ikor charged the participants to make good use of the training opportunity for the progress of the LGA.
The Member representing Ohaukwu/Ebonyi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Eze Nwachukwu who was not left out in the call for security in the area, also distributed three motorcycles to the community stakeholders as rewards for selfless community services.
The resource persons Rev fr John Odey and Dr Gabriel Udu who acknowledged that insecurity is a monster that has eaten deep into Nigeria, called on the community stakeholders to exhibit qualities of great leaders and imbibe proactive measures to ensure absolute peace in their domains at all times.