PEACEFUL COHABITATION : Igbo Elders Deepens Discourse On Ethnic Coexistence In Oriade LCDA

Following the success recorded in their first gathering in May 30th,2026,Igbo Elders resident in Oriade LCDA , Lagos State, who are 60 years and above, last Saturday, June 20, 2026,deepened their discourse and search for enduring brotherly peace and inter- ethnic cohabitation in the area.

Coming under the aegis of “National Alliance For Peace , NAP – Oriade Elders Consultative Forum ” , the expanded gathering of senior citizens, converged at the palace of Eze Ndigbo in Oriade, Eze Chimereze, Emmanuel Chukwuakalika Madu, who is the initiator of the project , where they brainstormed and sincerely deliberated on the urgent need for an all inclusive peace conference on peaceful coexistence amongst all ethnic nationalities in the area before 2027 elections.

In a show of high level patriotism, the over 30 Participants ,were agreed on the need for National peace and peaceful Coexistence of all ethnic Nationality within Oriade, and Lagos State in general.

The participants also made vital suggestions on the approach the forum must tow in other to attract and carry host community and other ethnic Nationalities along .

This they said, is to achieve the Pre – 2023 elections era peaceful co-existence, that hitherto existed amongst all the ethnic Nationalities within the area and to a large extent ,Lagos State in general.

During their interactions and deliberations ,the grey hair elders agreed that the Vision Initiator,Eze Chukwu Akalika Madu and his Care taker committee should continue to control their affairs, thereby jettisoning an earlier suggestion by a Participant ,who suggested conducting election to elect officers to lead the affairs of the group .

Speaking, President General Igbodum Multi Cultural Association, Prince Chuks Celestine Emechebe, maintained that the elders forum should embrace other tribes like the Yoruba and Hausas , if meaningful peace will be achieved.

Earlier, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Leader in Oriade, High Chief Victor Nnotum ,had emphasized on the need for peace in the area, especially he said ,”as the Igbos have over 80 percent of the population in Oriade ,as well as great investments such as buildings ,infrastructures and other multiple millions projects” .

Chief Nnotum,also counselled Igbos in Lagos not to build only where they reside, but to imbibe the “think home philosophy “, otherwise known as “Akuruo – Ulo” ,in all their investments outside Igbo land .

Commenting,a Participant, Mr.Ndubisi Okafor, who thanked Eze Oriade for the initiative,commended the gathering , however he asked for a central direction and change of the group’s name to reflect it’s Igbo Foundation .

Receiving a loud ovation for Sponsorship of the second Elders Forum meeting, the Obi Oriade and Obi Chinyelugo of Abatete in Anambra State, Chief Chuks Obijiaku, enjoined Chief Nnotum to endeavor to bring some Igbo Leaders and groups that he suggested to the Elders Forum earlier.

Chief Obijiaku, who is a Clearing and Forwarding business tycoon and the Chief Executive Officer,CEO, Crossed – Don Global Services Ltd and Graced Obi Nigeria Ltd, noted that there is great need to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood , peace and togetherness for a peaceful co-existence amongst the ethnic Nationalities in the area.

Speaking about his vision, Eze Chimereze said his goal in life,wishes,desire and Prayers,is that “it will be well for all “.

According to Eze Chimereze ,without peace , Justice, equity , love and lack of cheating , the Elders Forum like any other gathering is bound to collapse.

Hence to him,it became imperative that elders in Oriade should start peace consultation in Oriade before the next general election in 2027, to avoid a repeat of the 2023 election crisis .

Emeritus President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Barrister Fabian Onwuhalu, in his counsel, regretted the slow pace of the meetings, he praised and thanked Eze Chimereze for his positive leadership role amongst Ndigbo and advised that the leadership by Eze Ndigbo Oriade, should be allowed to continue piloting the affairs of the Forum for now.

One of the Organizers and Oriade Palace Chief,Chief Chinedu Okafor, suggested a visit to the leadership of Yoruba Community by the Igbo Leader in the Forum,so as to co-opt them into the peace initiative.

Supporting the peace initiative, Eze Elect of a newly created autonomous community in Mbaise, Imo State, High Chief , Sir,Pauly Chikere, insisted that the forum should be expanded to accommodate more credible Igbo Stakeholders, so as to be taken seriously by other ethnic Nationalities.

Explaining further the imperativeness of peace in Oriade, Sir Chikere insisted that all residents and ethnic nationalities, must jaw jaw on peace to avoid the ugly incidents of 2023 election

Calling for Peaceful co- habitation ,Eze Chukwuakalikamadu ,rolled out the groups peace plan, which he said, is billed to hold in phases, the last phase is expected to bring together all ethnic nationalities in the area ,on a peaceful engagement with the host community .

The forum finally agreed amongst other things, that Igbos must be united and speak as one voice .

They also agreed to expand the forum membership strength through creating of awareness within Igbo circles, before reaching out to other ethnic Nationalities.

It was further decided that the forum will continue with the leadership by the Conveners ,as well as to escalate the need to avoid ethnic crisis, by applying wisdom to achieve peaceful co existence , so as to avoid a repeat of the 2023 crisis that engulfed the general elections in Lagos

Hence for them to change the narratives holistically, the Peace Forum ,which has started it’s program first with brotherly interactions amongst elderly Igbo residents, and planning to have an all inclusive inter ethnic Nationalities conference before 2027 elections, appears to be the answer to peaceful Coexistence.

Some of the Elders at the meeting are : Eze Chukwu Akalika Madu; Ugoeze Francisca Akalika; Obi Chuks Obijiaku; High Chief Pauly Chikere; Hon. Osita Asiegbu; Chris Amuzie;Nwankwo Paulinius ; Nze Oscar Uzoekwe ; Mazi Jossy Ohia;Chief Duru; Chief Leo Okeke ; Mr. Nwachukwu Robert; Elder Alphonsus; Chief Chinedu Okafor; Chief Linus Okeke;Okey Nwaolisa ; Ndubisi Okafor; Christopher Ibekwe ; Chief Martins Onyema; Vincent Okonkwo; Chief Charles Umekwe; Chief CY Edimobi;Ifeanyi Odukwe ; DSP Emmanuel Edom; Barrister Fabian Onwuhalu; Prince Chuks Celestine Emechebe; Chief Victor Nnotum; Chief Vitalis Obiozor, Mr. Perfection Emmanuel; Miss Light Emmanuel and Miss Restoration Emmanuel amongst others.