BY WILLIAM ATTAH, GOMBE – Governor Victor Okezie Ekpeazu of Abi State on Monday assured Northerners of a conducive environment for investment in the State.
Ekpeazu, who gave the assurance through His Royal Majesty, Chief Kalu Kalu Ogbu, the Enachioken of Abiriba Kingdom, Abia State in Gombe during a peace meeting, called for better unity among Nigerians.
A cattle market was attacked few weeks ago in Omumuazu, Ukwa West Council Area, Abia State where some lives were lost including Gombe indigenes.
The monarch, who said he was in Gombe on the directives Governor Ikpezu, expressed regret over the sad incident and condoled the government and people of Gombe State.
Ikpeazu described the attack as the handwork of misguided and ill-advised fellows, adding that he has commenced peace initiative and action to deal with the perpetrators of the dastardly attack.
He particularly commended the government of Gombe State for working round the clock to keep the peace in the State.
Ikpeazu noted that by the action of the Government of Gombe State, there is hope for the survival of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He also extolled the virtues of the Emir of Akko, Alhaji Umar Muhammad Atiku, for hosting him for three days.
In his own remarks, the Emir of Akko commended the approach and the zeal to the peace initiative by the Abia State government, adding that peace building is what is highly needed in Nigeria for the people to continue to live in unity.
In his comment, the Acting National President of the Amalgamation of Cattle Dealers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Yahuza Yusuf, appreciated the response of the Abia State Government after the attack.
Yusuf explained that the Governor had already met some of their needs which include, compensation of N150,000 for every cow destroyed, relocating their market as well as fencing and providing it with water.
He commended Governor Ekpeazu for not allowing them carry bodies of their dead brothers back to the north for burial as they were buried in Abia State, adding however that the promise made by the Governor to give each affected family the sum of N2milliin has not reached them.
He expressed happiness that peace has returned to the area now.
Also speaking, the Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr. Manasseh Daniel Jatau, said the essence of the meeting was to sustain a bridge that was about to be damaged so that it does not collapse.
While assuring that the Gombe State Government would continue to sustain the existing peace of the State, he noted that the senseless killings experienced in many parts of the country is because the abandoned their cultural and religious values, adding that people no more respect the sanctity of life.
