The traditional rulers of Ebonyi State, HRH Eze John Nwenyi of Ndubia Autonomous Community and Chief Clament Eze of Iphu-Igwe Autonomous Community on Saturday attended the funeral service of HRH Chief Stephen Ubiet Odum in Cross River State, despite the aged long land dispute between the people of Izzi in Ebonyi and the Ukelle in Cross River.
HRH Ubiet Stephen Ekwok Odum, born into the Royal Family of Wanebi in Ipollo, Ntrigom Clan, South Ukelle, lived from 1945 to 2025. His glorious transition was graced with the presence of traditional rulers from Ebonyi State, who were once peaceful neighbors.
This move is sponsored by stakeholders who seek for peace to be restored and for the Izzi people to be moved back to Mfuma Community in order to foster unity between the two states and all other crisis ravaged communities across Ebonyi/ Cross River borders.
During the funeral service, the two traditional rulers from Izzi axis, Chief John Nwenyi and Chief Clament Eze presented yams, wrapper, drinks, attached with undisclosed amount of money to the first son of Chief Odum as Izzi tradition and custom demand.
This marked a significant step towards restoring peace between the two communities and all other crisis ravaged communities across Ebonyi/ Cross River borders.
Also, during the burial, the President of Ebonyi /Cross River Peace Movement, Barrister Pascal Nwenyi described the death of Chief Odum as heartbreaking because of the legacy he left behind.
Barrister Nwenyi further said the people of Ukelle in Cross River are now like orphans because many people depended on him for survival.
According to him, “the death of Chief Odum is heartbreaking because he is like a father to us. As the President of Ebonyi /Cross River Peace Movement, we are now like orphans in Cross River State”.
Barrister Nwenyi further donated an undisclosed amount of money to the family and church during the programme.
Although, it was anticipated that both Izzi and Yala local government chairmen will attend the burial to foster some bond of interest and unity but they couldn’t make it to the funeral service.
Other dignitaries who attended the funeral service include, Distinguished Senator Agom Jarigbe, Business Mogul, Azubike Daniel (Zubitech Global), Igwe Zeal Uchenna (Moneybag), and Chief Emmanuel Onele, all of whom advocated for peace to be restored.
The representatives from Ebonyi State as well as the Mfuma stakeholders demonstrated their disinterest in continuing the fight and urged the Izzi people to maintain peace and unity, aiming to restore the relationship between the two neighboring states.
HRH Ubiet Stephen Ekwok Odum (KSM) assumed leadership of the Ipollo Village Area of Cross River on December 26, 2002, and became the clan head of the Ntrigom Clan five years later, after retiring.
