South East breaking News
By Steve Unegbu
The Abia state Commissioner for lands and Survey,Hon.Dr Chidi Onwuçhuruba has been presented with an award of recognition by the International Peace Academy and Crisis Management Abia state chapter
Presenting the award to the Commissioner at his office in government Secretariat Ogurube layout Umuahia, the State Coordinator of International Peace Academy and Crisis Management and immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia state on Equity and Good governance Mayor Prince Kalu Idika Kalu said the award is in recognition and appreciation of his Contribution towards restoring peace in Abia state and Nigeria in general.
According to him , ” We are here to honour the able Abia state Commissioner in charge of ministry of lands and Survey,Dr Chidi Onwuçhuruba to appreciate his Contribution in conflict management and peace resolution at both the state and federal government levels
” So we presented an award and other things to him in recognition of his efforts.
” This is an award of recognition from us , even the position he is occupying is where different people and communities with different conflicts come for resolution .
” He was supposed to receive the award at Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia few weeks ago during our event ,but he missed the award because he was outside the state on an official duty .
” International Peace Academy and Crisis Management is playing complementary role in restoring peace in communities, states and federal government levels .
” We believe that security is every body’s business and we have taken the message to different places , working hard to curtail insecurity “
In his response,the Commissioner for lands and Survey,Hon.Dr Chidi Onwuçhuruba expressed gratitude to the Management of International Peace Academy for finding him worthy for the award.
He revealed that he has been in conflict management and resolution for a long time now both at the state and federal government level.
He however said that he was not expecting this award from the International Peace Academy and that they took him by surprise.
His words, ” I have been in conflict management and resolution ,I do not know how they discovered and I asked them how they manage to know that because I had not seen them before.
” For instance ,I was among those who were commissioned at the national level during the militants era at Aso Rock ,Abuja during the tenure of the former president Goodluck Jonathan .
” We had to go to these Niger Delta area , especially in the Creek .I nearly died in the Creek but by the grace of God,we were able to bring out the militants, discussed with them and then took them to Abuja.
” In Abuja too ,I reconciled many communities that were quarreling ,then in my community I mediate to resolve conflicts .
” Then finally as a Commissioner for lands and Survey,since I came here it has been different communities coming for land dispute issues and how their lands have been taken over from them and we have been reconciling them .
” This is the position God has placed us .We have to do it and then do it to the best of our knowledge and then blessings and recognitions like this one will come.
” I did not know they were coming ,I think that is the best way and I thank you people so much .
” We will be in the vanguard of trying to restore peace.
“In the State our Governor is really trying,our state is one of the most peaceful state in Nigeria and if you travel outside to other states,you will appreciate what our Governor is doing to ensure peace and safety of Ndi Abia “