It was historic last week Thursday, July 15, 2021 as the elders, chiefs and youths of Elikpokwuodu in Rukpokwu Apara Kingdom and Rumuawhoechor in Rumuekini, Akpor Kingdom all in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State gathered at Ohiamini, the ancestral land of both communities and drew a boundary for peace, unity and progress of their people.
According to Chief Owhonda Mgbakiri , Eze Epara Owhu (V) Elikpokwuodu who spoke to journalists at the event, the discussion on the boundary adjustment was concluded on Tuesday July 13, stressing that their gathering on Thursday, July 15, was to formalize it.
He disclosed that the Ohiamini Igbogo forest land is the boundary between Elikpokwuodu and Rumuawhoechor, and that ordinarily they would not have demarcated it as the two communities have been farming there peacefully for a long time.
“There has never been any dispute as regards boundary. The economic trees in the land are owned by both communities”, stressing that they carried out the boundary demarcation so that their children will not have misunderstanding in the future.
Chief Amadi Christian Achi, one of the elders from Rumuawhoehor concurred with Chief Mgbakiri, and explained that what they had done by demarcating the boundary was for the future of their children.
“We have not had any problems as regards Ohiamini Rumuawhoechor and Elikpokwuodu.
We demarcated the boundary for the sake of the future of our children”, he said.
He further stressed that the two neighbouring communities have been living in peace and warned that any member of the communities that does anything that will cause sorrow to them will answer to the gods.
Chief Amb. Ihunwo Omakwele-Onu Prince of Rumuawhoechor who is also the CDC Chairman/PRO, Rumuekini, said they gathered to witness the grand finale of the boundary demarcation the elders and chiefs carried out for the future of the youths of Rumuawhoechor and Elikpokwuodu.
He said the youths of both communities were there to witness what he called an epic event, stressing that Elikpokwuodu is their neighbouring community, and that prior to the demarcation they had no misunderstanding, emphasizing that what they did was for future purposes.
He advised the youths of both communities not to do anything that will destroy the peace they have cemented.
Prince Sunday Opara, the CDC Chairman of Elikpokwuodu said he was happy with what the elders and chiefs of both communities have done to maintain the existing peace in the area.
He told journalists that he would carry the message home to the youths of Elikpokwuodu, stressing that he would also warn them against the danger of doing anything that will derail the peace.
Nmecha Young Ndidi and Raymond Chinwo, Land Committee Chairmen, Elikpokwuodu and Rumuawhoechor were among those who initiated the peace process.
