Man who trekked from Lagos to Abakaliki to thank Nwifuru gets N10m gift

An Ebonyi man based in Lagos, Comrade Jeremiah Obaji, who trekked for 17 days from Ikorodu, Lagos State, to Abakaliki to thank Governor Francis Nwifuru for restoring peace in Effium community, has received a ₦10 million gift from the governor.

Obaji, who set out on August 21 and arrived in Abakaliki on September 7 after covering over 600 kilometres on foot, said the trek was his “sacrifice of gratitude” for the governor’s role in brokering peace in the troubled Ezza-Effium conflict through the creation of five autonomous communities.

“I didn’t know I was criticising my saviour. I fought him on social media, not knowing he would be the one to bring peace to my community. This trek was my sacrifice of gratitude. Peace is priceless,” Obaji told reporters in Abakaliki.

He recounted ordeals during the journey, including hunger, fatigue, insect bites, blisters that forced him to abandon his jeans, and fears of kidnapping.

“I faced hunger, fatigue, and insect bites, and at some point had to abandon my jeans due to blisters, and at a point I became afraid of being kidnapped,” he said.

The trek, he added, also gave him the opportunity to reconcile with old friends and meet displaced Ebonyi youths working menial jobs outside school.

As news of his journey spread on social media, admirers pledged donations, including a car, landed property, and financial gifts.

Governor Nwifuru, while receiving him, hailed the gesture as proof of the success of his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs policy.

He then announced a ₦10 million gift to Obaji to aid his recovery and encourage his peace advocacy.

Obaji, however, said his ultimate plan is to establish a Peace Foundation to promote non-violence and support children displaced by conflict.

“I am not hungry. God has blessed me in business. What I want now is to become an ambassador of peace,” he said.

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