By Patrick Ochei
THt Holy Bible says that blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. This means that those who work to resolve conflict and promote harmony are fortunate and will be called children of God. At the conference room of the Executive Chamber of the Oshimili South Local Government Council on Friday 10th October, 2025, one young and Godly man, who is disposed to peace saw God came down as a father to intervene in a knotty matter he has tried to settle for years. He saw God in a way that he couldn’t imagine possible; but that was as a result of his inclination to peace, which became a reality between the kingdoms of Asaba and Oko – one as a seat of power and the other, its closest neighbour within Oshimili South local government area.
That young man that saw God in a special way is Hon. Chief Ezenyili Kelvin Obi Ph.D, the Executive Chairman of Oshimili South local government council. When God showed up to him, he couldn’t hold his emotions from expressing how eternally grateful he was and how he would continue to be.
The kingdoms of Asaba and Oko had been at loggerheads over the stipends that come from the Federation account, statutorily for the traditional rulers in the local government area. In this instance, the stipends only belong to the Asagba of Asaba and the Akor of Oko who are the known traditional rulers in Oshimili South and should both share the 5% allocation as consolidated to them.
It could be recalled that dispute had arisen between the then 13th Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien and the Akor of Oko, HRM Engr. (Dr.) Eze Osita 1, JP, who was crowned and presented staff of office in 2010.
When the current Chairman ascended the Council’s leadership in 2021, he tried profusely to mediate and find lasting peace, but his efforts proved abortive. The crisis then lingered with court cases until the ascension of the current Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge SAN.
Again, not resting on his oars, the innate urge for peace resonated once again in the young man known as EKO, to seek another chance for peace between the two brother communities under his administration as Chairman. He then approached the current Asagba and the Akor who by divine orchestration, agreed to peace deal.
The young EKO then opened up channels of mediation and reconciliation through Alternative Dispute Resolution. But as a smart peacemaker again, he got the endorsement of the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori, and then a Committee was set up with the mandate to bring the two communities to amicable resolution of all differences leading to the suspension of payment of the statutory 5% stipends to the two kings.
It may interest you to know that God showed up in a matter that has lasted up to a decade by intervening through the conscious efforts of Hon. Ezenyili Kelvin Obi. The final seal on peace was what the whole world witnessed on October 10, at the Oshimili South Council Secretariat, between the Asagba of Asaba and Akor of Oko.
One significant thing that the Council Chairman did was his political will to save up over half a billion naira of the contentious money in a designated account from 2022 to 2025. He laid the facts about the savings bare and promised to immediately transfer to both parties in a matter of just a letter with account details from the both palaces.
However, the greatest milestone achieved was the acceptance of the two kings to put the past behind and embrace a future of peace, harmony and synergy for development.
The Asagba who is an internationally acclaimed legal luminary said, there was never a dispute but just some sort of differences over stipends, indicating that it was never enough to generate into a long-standing disagreement. He however, said the two communities opted for dispute resolution as the best choice to show regard to the Council Chairman who has exhibited enormous integrity, diligence and transparency in dealing with the matter; and so, they had to come to a yes point that has now signalled the conclusion of the matter.
He added that history would always remember Hon. Ezenyili Kelvin Obi whenever this issue that has been amicably resolved is mentioned.
On the part of the Akor of Oko Kingdom, he simply concurred to the submissions of Asagba of Asaba, that the past should remain in the past in the interest of peace and the gains that lie ahead of the two communities. He therefore, endorsed the peace deal and the speech of the Asagba in totality.
The both kings shook hands and hugged themselves to the admiration of all witnesses, thereby bringing to an end every trace of disagreement in the dispute.
The elated Chairman couldn’t hold back his joy as he allowed the two kings to occupy his office for as long as they wished for the day, in order to allow them privacy to talk as brothers.
He said, “Today, I feel over joyed by this show of love extended to me by both the Asagba and the Akor. I will eternally remain grateful to the land of Asaba and Oko. I am just a young person who came into politics and leadership with the best intentions to serve. I couldn’t have done any better when my two fathers remain at logger heads – who then will advise me properly or correct me when I am sliding off the track.
“I make bold to say that you have taught us how to behave, love and lead by your exemplary demonstration to peace in this circumstance. Today marks an epoch turning event in Oshimili South Local Government Area with the amicable reconciliation of both Royal Majesties of Asaba and Oko Kingdoms. Without an iota of doubt, I certainly believe I am the happiest person amongst us all in this room.
“However, considering the bigger picture, I implore every civic community to embrace the approach of conflict mediation and resolution as this promotes economic development, increase inter-personal relationships, and exchange of ideas rather than conflicts. It is always best to open channels for honest conversations where grievances can be aired and solutions found together.
“Above all, I wish to appreciate the Almighty God for using me as a viable tool in brokering peace in Oshimili South Local Government Area. My prayer is that this peace will be enduring in Jesus Name. Amen.
“And, I can’t also thank the Governor enough, for his undiluted love for Oshimili South and his support to this peace process. God bless him and everyone that contributed one way or the other”, Ezenyili prayed.
