The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA), Dr. Divine Igwe, has initiated a powerful push for peace, unity, and progress within his hometown, the Umuoghara Autonomous Community.
Dr. Igwe made the passionate call while hosting Umuoghara Stakeholders in his village, Obodo-oma, Okposi Umuoghara in Ezza North LGA. He emphasized that peace and unity are the bedrock of growth and development in any society, stressing the need for a healthy environment and neighborhood to foster impactful coexistence.
“No nation would rise above its environment,” Dr. Igwe stated, as he urged his people to maintain a united front. He stressed that Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration is fully committed to a peace agenda, asserting that the strength of Umuoghara lies only in unity and togetherness. He called on the community to speak in one voice and avoid “bickering, unproductive and provocative alterances” that could cause further division.
The supposed stakeholders meeting quickly turned into a mega rally, attracting a diverse audience including politicians, traditional rulers, academics, and business leaders.
In a series of goodwill messages, community leaders unanimously described Dr. Igwe as a “unifier.” The delegation included the member representing Ezza North East State Constituency, Mr. Kelvin Oke; the Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Comrade Emeka Nwoñu; Prof. Hilary Eze of Ebonyi State University; former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Hygienous Nwokwu; and the traditional ruler of Okposi Umuoghara autonomous Community, Eze Anthony Njoku.
They expressed no surprise at his peace initiative, which they called a “first of its kind in recent times,” and pledged to welcome the message as it aligns directly with Governor Nwifuru’s People’s Charter of Needs Policy.
“Dr. Divine is a well-trained person, disciplined and beneficial to all and sundry, and his appointment reflects the good nature of His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State,” one stakeholder noted. “When an appointee of government is good to the community, that is a reflection of the governor in power.”
Stakeholders further agreed that Dr. Igwe’s positive impact is already changing perceptions, stating that his appointment has “created a different APC in Umuoghara” and is positively impacting the lives of the people.
Dr. Igwe concluded the event by expressing optimism that a new Umuoghara—where division, rivalry, and selfishness are a thing of the past—is emerging. The attendees pledged their full and continuous support to his efforts to unite the community in brotherly affection for collective progress.