Comrade Jeremiah Obaji, an Ebonyi man based in Lagos, has received a ₦10 million cash gift from Governor Francis Nwifuru after completing a 600km trek to express gratitude for the governor’s role in restoring peace to Effium community.
Obaji began his journey on August 21 from Ikorodu, Lagos, and arrived in Abakaliki on September 7, after walking for 17 days. He described the trek as his personal “sacrifice of gratitude” for the governor’s intervention in the long-running Ezza–Effium conflict, which was resolved 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 explained.
The Ebonyi man who trekked 600km recounted his ordeals along the way, including hunger, fatigue, insect bites, and blisters that forced him to abandon his jeans. He admitted that, at some point, he feared being kidnapped.
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As news of his trek spread, admirers offered him gifts, including a car, land, and financial assistance.
Governor Nwifuru, upon receiving him in Abakaliki, praised the gesture as evidence of the impact of his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs policy. He then announced a ₦10 million reward to support Obaji’s recovery and encourage his advocacy for peace.
However, Obaji stressed that his mission went beyond material rewards. “I am not hungry. God has blessed me in business. What I want now is to become an ambassador of peace,” he said, revealing plans to establish a Peace Foundation to promote non-violence and support children displaced by conflict.