The traditional ruler of Lilu community in Anambra State, His Majesty Igwe Godson Onyediri, was overcome with emotion as he detailed the devastating human and material losses his domain has endured from a prolonged insurgency.
A Community Ravaged by Five Years of Violence
Speaking at a weekend summit organized by the community's youths, the monarch recounted the horrors of the past five years. Lilu, situated in Ihiala Local Government Area and bordering the Orlu zone of Imo State, has been a hotspot of violent attacks. Igwe Onyediri revealed that his own palace and personal home were completely razed during the early stages of the carnage that also affected neighbouring communities.
Path to Recovery and Government Assurance
Despite the tears, the royal father expressed profound hope. He gave a strong commendation to the Lilu youths for taking the initiative to organize the summit and pool resources to chart a way forward for their homeland. "Knowing full well that we have no other home but Lilu, you chose to organise yourselves," he told them.
Igwe Onyediri assured everyone that Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has not forgotten Lilu and has concrete plans to uplift the community. He predicted that the extensive brigandage would soon be a thing of the past and that all displaced citizens, including himself, would return home very soon.
A Call for Unity and Collective Peace
The monarch used the occasion to issue a passionate plea for unity. He urged all stakeholders, sons, and daughters of Lilu to abandon divisive tendencies and work collectively for peace, regardless of social status. "We have no other place to call home other than Lilu," he stressed.
He also had strong words for those working against the community's progress, warning that posterity would judge them. Conversely, he stated that history would remember those tirelessly working to restore peace to Lilu.
