Members of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star in Cross River State came together for their annual unity and peace feast held in Odukpani Local Government Area (LGA), where they prayed for an end to the ongoing communal clashes plaguing parts of the state.
A recent report by the non-governmental organization Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta revealed that, in the past three months, 16 out of the 18 LGAs in Cross River State had experienced deadly communal clashes.
In response to these challenges, the Brotherhood called upon the people of the state to join them in prayers, seeking divine intervention and continued good leadership to foster peace and unity.
Patriarch Christ Shepherd Ogar Osim, delivering a heartfelt homily at the gathering, emphasized the organization’s commitment to promoting and encouraging peace in the region.
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He announced that through the annual peace and unity feast, spiritual resolutions had already been achieved for the long-standing communal conflicts, particularly the disputes between Itu people and neighboring communities in Odukpani.
Amidst their prayers for peace, the faithful also used the occasion to appeal to the federal government to address the deteriorating conditions of the Calabar-Uyo and Calabar-Ikom federal highways.
They emphasized that the roads had become virtually impassable, leading to frequent accidents, vehicle breakdowns, lost productivity, and economic setbacks.
The vicar urged the devoted followers not to waver in their prayers for the well-being of Cross River State, which he referred to as the most blessed state.
He also predicted that the annual peace feast would bring about increased progress and higher appointments for the state’s residents, fostering a brighter future for the region.