By: Adeosun Ewatomi
ADAKOLE INTERFACES WITH OLOGBA, EGBA COMMUNITIES
---- Call for Peace as Farming Season Commences
In a bid to foster peace and unity among communities, Chief Adakole Sale James, Executive Director of Adakole Initiatives for Peace in Agatu, paid a courtesy visit to the Ologba and Egba communities during the Easter celebration.
The purpose of this visit was to discuss peace, strengthen security, and promote unity between the two neighbouring communities.
Adakole's visit aimed to address the eighteen years of crisis between Ologba and Egba, which has resulted in the loss of lives and property.
He emphasized the importance of rejecting violence and adopting dialogue as the best means of resolving conflicts as the farming season begins.
He stated, “There is a need to maintain peace in our land," urging both parties to avoid invading or intruding on farmland that does not belong to them.
The Executive Director also expressed his gratitude to the Ologba-Egba community for the recent efforts towards peace over the past months.
He encouraged community members to report any unusual activities to him or the appropriate authorities, assuring them that his door was always open to restore peace in the area.
In response, Mr. Oche Unah from ologba community expressed appreciation to Chief Adakole Sale James for his visit. He commended the peace initiatives aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis and assured Adakole of Ologba’s readiness to negotiate and work toward peace.
Mr. Welle voiced his concerns about the destruction caused by the crisis, urging for a prompt end to the hostilities. He encouraged the peace ambassador to convey the message to the Egba community, stating that Ologba is ready to forgive.
Continuing his efforts, the peace ambassador visited the Egba community, where he held a town meeting that brought together various interest groups, including women and youth.
Adakole expressed his appreciation for the Egba kingdom and reiterated that the purpose of his visit was to promote peace and enhance security as the farming season commences.
He commended the youth for their involvement in the ceasefire and urged them to forgive and reconcile for a brighter future for both communities.
On his part, Hon. Aliyu Ademu, the former security adviser to the Agatu Local Government, thanked the Egba community for their warm reception during the impromptu visit.
He called for continued calmness and encouraged them to support Adakole's peace initiatives to bring about meaningful change.
At the meeting, Mr. Egwa Joseph from Ologba thanked the Egba community for their hospitality towards him and the peace ambassador’s entourage.
He spoke passionately about the necessity of peace, urging, "Egba, it is time we come together as one people to support one another as minorities."
In response, community members, including Mr Ochefije Usman, Edwin Agbeche, Suleiman Hassan, and others, praised Adakole's initiatives for convening this strategic town meeting aimed at addressing the eighteen years of disputes and assured him of their unwavering support.
Earlier, the CEO of Adakole Initiatives for Peace had a closed-door meeting with all heads of security personnel in Obagaji, the headquarters of the Agatu Local Government Area.