Monday December 22, 2025
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Patrick UMOSANG
After decades of recurring hostilities that claimed lives and destroyed properties, the people of Ibeno in Ibeno Local Government Area and Esit Urua community in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have formally agreed to co-exist peacefully.
The historic resolution followed a series of peace talks initiated by leaders and stakeholders of Esit Urua community, beginning on November 22, 2025, and consolidated on December 6, 2025, in line with the peace initiative earlier championed by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to restore lasting peace between Eket and Ibeno LGAs.
The peace meetings were held at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Owong Professor E. B. Achianga, JP, who presided over the dialogue and subsequently inaugurated a joint peace committee.
Paramount Ruler of Ibeno
At the initial meeting of November 22nd, 2025, 26 stakeholders and leaders from Esit Urua, representing the three Esit Urua communities, met with chiefs and elites from Ibeno.
The follow-up meeting on December 6th recorded an expanded participation of about 50 Esit Urua stakeholders, including family heads, clergy, youths and women leaders, who unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to permanent peace.
The resolutions reached were contained in a joint communique signed by representatives of both communities, formally rejecting any further disturbances or hostilities between Eket and Ibeno LGAs
To consolidate the peace process, a 15-man Joint Peace Committee was constituted by the paramount ruler.
Members from Ibeno included; Apostle (Barr.) Isong Ikot, Barrister Diamond Akpanika, Engineer Inyang B. Okon-Itrechio, Chief Okon Udofia, Helen Okokon Nathaniel, Chief Esenem Ukochio and His Lordship, Justice Bennett Ilaumo.
The Esit Urua delegation comprises; Barrister Victor Ekpo, Anietie Uko Robert, Chief Aniefiok I. Brown, Evangelist Kennedy Edoho, Umoetuk Isukette, Sister Charity Joe Etuk, Pastor Itoro B. Adiakot and Bishop John Okpot Joseph.
According to the communique signed at the end of the meetings, the committee is mandated to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to clearly define peace modalities between the two communities, ensure wide publicity of the peace accord, and formally communicate the outcome to relevant authorities, including the chairmen of Eket and Ibeno LGAs, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Governor Umo Eno.
Speaking on behalf of Esit Urua stakeholders, Bishop John Okpot Joseph described the agreement as a collective resolve to end all forms of conflict and protect lives and properties, stressing that Esit Urua would no longer serve as a battleground for selfish interests by aggrieved persons in Eket.
Meanwhile, youths and leaders of Esit Urua have used the occasion to raise concerns over what they described as prolonged marginalization and neglect by Eket Local Government leadership.
A peace advocate from Idung Adiakod in Esit Urua, Pastor Itoro Adiakod, appealed directly to Governor Umo Eno to “come and rescue Esit Urua community,” citing lack of basic infrastructure despite the community’s status as an oil- and gas-producing host area.
According to him, “Esit Urua has suffered decades of underdevelopment, with no tarred roads, functional health centres, visible local government presence, or meaningful projects”.
He also alleged exclusion from benefits under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), including absence of representation on host community boards and lack of contracts awarded to indigenous contractors since the Act’s establishment in 2021.
“This systemic exclusion has rendered our people voiceless in decisions that affect our land, resources and future,” Adiakod said, adding that Esit Urua remains peace-loving, united and deserving of dignity, fairness and equity.
Despite these grievances, community leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace with their Ibeno neighbors emphasizing that the newly signed accord marks a turning point in the relationship between the neighbouring communities.
This commendable peace initiative between these two erstwhile warring communities echoes the recent reported cessation of hostilities between Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi communities. This is another testament to the actualization of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno’s earnest drive to harness the great potentials of Akwa Ibom State to its fullest and this can only be best realized where peace is embraced by all.