Catholic And Anglican Bishops Restored Peace In Osumenyi 9 Years After

                                          

 President-General of Osumenyi Development Union (ODU),Mr Celestine Obi-Oguatu, has appealed to Osumenyi indigenes to abide by the peace solutions proffered by the Anglican and Catholic bishops.

It would be recalled that Osumenyi community had been engulfed in an age-long leadership crisis, which had led to the killing of some of its indigenes since 2006.

Most Rev. Hilary Okeke, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Nnewi and Rt. Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor, Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Amichi, had waded into the dispute in a joint committee by inviting written submissions; listening to oral submissions of various people and meeting with interest groups.

Obi-Oguatu told newsmen on Wednesday in Osumenyi near Nnewi in Anambra that if indigenes of the community abide by the 11-point peace recommendation made by the revered clerics, the crisis would be a thing of the past.

He noted that giving peace a chance would bring unprecedented development, progress and rekindle the brotherhood and love that previously existed in the community.

  

``The advice or appeal I am making to Osumenyians is that let everybody follow the way of peace that is already initiated by our bishops, both Anglican and Catholic bishops of our community.

``The paramount of the whole thing that I desire is peace; not position.

``I already told you, that the bishops made recommendation that the two groups (Osumenyi Development Union and Osemenyi Town Assembly) would stay aside, and we now set-up an interim government.

``An interim government is it not somebody that would lead it?

``Purposely for that, it seems I have already conceded my position and whatever you, to allow peace to reign.

``I believe in one thing, we all are brothers and sisters, so if it warrants that my position will go. What is position? Than, for me to have peace in my community.

``In as much as a true peace, genuine peace, which I saw that these two bishops are coming to give us a true and genuine peace,’’ he said.

  

Obi-Oguatu, however, urged all to focus on forgiveness of wrongs done to them as the bishops had continually appealed throughout their mediation.

However, the bishops instructed that all court suits concerning the crisis should be withdrawn; adding: ``We (bishops) have resolved to approach this matter on the principle of No Victor, No Vanquished’’.

The title of the bishops’ 7-page document is: ``Our Findings, Conclusion, Resolution and Recommendations on Osumenyi Town Crisis’’, which was jointly signed by the two bishops.