Anambra monarch returns in tears 5 years after insurgency sacked community

 

By Chuks Collins

The traditional ruler of the Lilu community in Ihiala Council of Anambra State, His Majesty Igwe Barrister Godson Onyediri broke down in tears yesterday while recounting human and material losses he and his community have suffered in past five years due to insurgency.

He however gave the youths a pat on the back and encouraged them that Lilu is already on path of recovery.

Onyediri whose palace and home were completely razed down in the early stage of the carnage visited on Lilu and other neighbouring communities bordering Anambra State in the Southern Senatorial zone with the Orlu zone of Imo State.

Despite the widespread damage in virtually every part of the community, the monarch gave youths of his community a warm pat on the back.

According to him, ''the youths knowing full well that we have no other home other than Lilu, chose to organize themselves, pull human and material resources together to chart a way forward. I commend you all.

"I want to assure you and all citizens of Lilu that all shall be well that again. It won't be long.

"Within the next 90 days Lilu ga adikwa nma ozo". This literally means that within the next three months, his community, their community would be alright again..."

Onyediri admitted that the extensive wanton brigandage, all would become a thing of the past soon.

The monarch expressed deep faith, love and efforts to lift Lilu community once again by Gov Soludo.

According to him, Gov Soludo has not forgotten Lilu. Infact he has done so much more than 90% of other communities in the state.

The Igwe therefore noted that as all that's currently in the pipeline now, everyone including himself who are currently on the run would be back home within the next ninety days.

The ugly situation, Igwe Onyediri noted that it's taking a lot of resources off them. That it's only those involved can attest to the huge human and material resources being lost.

He's happy it's producing positive results. He therefore called on more citizens to get involved; "for we have no other place to call home other than Lilu. He urged all stakeholders, sons and daughters to jettison every form of devisive tendencies, irrespective of ones social status in the community but to pursue collective peace for all.

The traditional ruler frowned at those he accused of praying and working against peace, progress and working against the collective good of all.

He wants them to have a rethink because the community's forebears who he represents would not be silent for too long again.

He said that posterity will not forget all those who are currently working tirelessly to see that peace return to the community.

Igwe Godson Onyediri commended the Youths of Lilu for taking up the personal initiative to organize the national conference.