Ekpeye land stands at a critical moment—one that demands reflection, restraint, and a recommitment to the values that have sustained our people long before modern politics, religion, or partisan affiliations took root. History reminds us that the true strength of Ekpeye has never been anchored in uniform opinions or political alignment, but in shared ancestry, collective memory, and a cultural bond that predates contemporary divisions.
As former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, aptly observed, “We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.” This universal truth resonates deeply within Ekpeye society, where unity, oneness, and genuine forgiveness are not abstract ideals but essential tools for survival and progress.
From politics to religion, commerce to community life, the Ekpeye experience thrives when brother helps brother. Unfortunately, when political competition degenerates into hostility, when religious differences become instruments of division, or when personal ambition overshadows communal interest, the social fabric weakens. Politics should remain a contest of ideas, not a theatre of hatred.
Religion should serve as a source of healing, not fragmentation. Social interaction should uplift dignity, not diminish it.
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The cost of unforgiveness is steep. Nelson Mandela warned that “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” Across societies, bitterness has delayed development, fractured families, and stalled collective advancement. For the Ekpeye land, forgiveness is not a sign of weakness; it is an expression of wisdom. It liberates the mind, rebuilds trust, and creates the atmosphere necessary for cooperation—even in disagreement.
Unity, it must be stressed, does not imply the absence of differences. Rather, it requires the presence of mutual respect. Martin Luther King Jr. captured this reality when he declared that “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” The future of the Ekpeye people depends on how effectively differences are managed while preserving a shared identity. Political fairness, social justice, and emotional support for one another are hallmarks of a mature and forward-looking society.
Psychologically, unity instils confidence among the people. Emotionally, it fosters belonging. Intellectually, it opens space for dialogue, innovation, and growth. When Ekpeye sons and daughters see one another first as family rather than faction, suspicion gives way to collaboration, and stagnation yields to progress.
The message, therefore, is clear and non-negotiable: beyond politics, there is Ekpeye; before politics, there is Ekpeye. Political parties will come and go, power will change hands, and ideologies will evolve—but Ekpeye remains. Identity must precede affiliation; heritage must outweigh ambition.
As Frantz Fanon reminded the world, “If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values that all reality hinges on moral foundations.” For the Ekpeye land, rediscovering those values—unity, forgiveness, brotherhood, and mutual support—is not optional. It is imperative.
