South East
Rivers, Safe For Investment, Living, Group Declares …As Monarch Roots For Wike’s Re-Election
Natives of Ohafia in Abia State, resident in Rivers State have said that they are investing a N510 million project there because the state is safe for business and living.
The indigenes, who converged under the aegis of Ohafia Improvement Union Incorporated, further said that they believed in national integration because of peaceful coexistence they have enjoyed in Rivers.
Chairman of the Union, Chief Stone Kalu, while addressing newsmen at the weekend, ahead of their cultural festival in state, said Ohafia people residing in Rivers, have thrived outstandingly in their respective field of endeavours.
Stone said the proposed project, when completed, would be an income-generating investment not only for Ohafia people, but, also Rivers, to show that the state is safe for business.
He further said that they want to showcase the cultural potentials of their (Ohafia) people in the state and use it to unite youths, keep them out of crime and encourage them to believe in their natural gifts.
The chairman said “There is need for national integrity. It is a reassurance that we are part of Rivers State. The project is a source of income. It will attract investment in the state showing how secure the state is.
“This custom, which was acceptable, has disappeared with the advent of Christianity and civilization. However, this aspect of our history, in addition to our rich culture, still remains the people’s sense of identity till today. The Ohafia people are kind, hospitable to strangers and very religious.
“Culture is a vital part of Ohafians as a people. Youths are becoming unaware of cultural practices due to lack of cultural activities and the importance attached is also eroding them. Parents who have been away from home of origin.
“We have organized the hosting of Ohafia Udumaeze cultural day in Port Harcourt to remind us of where we come from. We also aim to use this medium to showcase the rich culture of Ohafia to non-Ohafia indigenes residing in the Niger Delta region.
“By engaging the young people in culture, it will help to engage the youths positively. Through lectures, activities and sensitization of youths will be encouraged to embrace culture not cultism. It will rekindle our cultural heritage
“Showcasing Ohafia culture in Rivers State will help to strengthen interstate relationship in the area of culture. Cultural values will be appreciated once again. Culture is a vehicle of National integration and harmony. It is also the vehicle of national basics for peace.
“Rivers State is a conducive place to live and we appreciate the warmness around us. Erecting a befitting edifice called Ohafia Udumaeze Civic Centre here in Rivers State, is our ultimate goal and another way of reassuring ourselves that the days of wars are over and the coexistence of Rivers and people of Ohafia is now paramount”, Stone explained.
Meanwhile, ahead of 2019 governorship election in the State, a prominent traditional Ruler in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, Eze Worlu Wodo,Eze Oha Apara Kingdom has given reasons why Governor Nyesom Wike should deserve a second term in office as governor.
The monarch who is strongly rooting for Wike’s reelection bid, described the governor as a silent achiever to be trusted with the state resources without doubt.
The Ikwerre first class traditional ruler who commended the governor for his visionary role and leadership style said Wike has transformed Rivers State with people- oriented projects capable of transforming lives across the communities in the state.
The Monarch who spoke to The Tide last Saturday at his palace located in Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt, noted that Governor Wike deserves a second term in office as he had placed the state higher before the global community in areas of infrastructural development.
Describing Wike as the people’s Governor, Eze Wodo said Wike within his one hundred days in office completed and commissioned the Iriebe Housing Estate, carried out operation zero portholes and built health centres across the communities in the state.
According to the monarch, Wike’s achievements speak volumes for the people. He added that the governor has massively embarked on internal road construction, improved education in the state and built jetties in some parts of the state to boost water transportation and make lives meaningful.
He also explained that Governor t Wike as a serving Minister, built Amajiri schools in communities in Northern States and renovated federal unity schools in the country.
On security, the royal father also gave the governor thumps up for improving security of lives and property across the state, even as he lauded him for hosting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries in the state and the National Festival of Arts and Culture in the state capital
According to him,” it is childish for anybody to say that Governor Nyesom Wike has not performed in his three years in office as governor, nobody would say Wike does not deserve second term in office come 2019”.
The governor, Eze Wodo said is putting smiles on the faces of market women in the state, even as he is rebuilding the Mile One ultra-modern market complex to a world class and the Fruit Garden Market Complex recently gutted by fire.
The police in Ebonyi State say they have discovered the body of a yet to be identified middle-aged woman in a hotel room in Abakaliki, the state capital. The spokesperson of the police in the state, Loveth Odah, stated this yesterday.
She said the body has deep cuts on the chest and neck and has been deposited in a mortuary. According to the spokesman, it was discovered at Crown Garden Hotel located along the ever-busy Afikpo road in the capital city.
Mrs Odah, who said that the victim was found in the pool of her own blood, said the suspect had been identified as one Uchenna Awoke.
She said the hotel manager, Emmanuel Eze, the supervisor, and other workers had been taken to the police station for questioning and accused the hotel management of negligence.
“The manager of the hotel, the supervisor and other staff of the hotel were taken to the station for questioning and I must confess to you that the whole thing is negligence on the part of the hotel management. How can a guest be murdered in a hotel room and days after, the management is not aware of the incident.”
“We will investigate the matter properly and I assure you, the perpetrator of the act must be arrested and prosecuted. All we are asking is for the members of the public to avail the police of useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect.”
The Senate yesterday passed the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2018.
The proposed commission aims at enhancing the infrastructural development of the South East zone, which is grappling with huge ecological challenges.
It also seeks to act as a catalyst for the development of the commercial potential of the zone.
The proposed legislation requires the concurrence of the House of Representatives to become a bill of the National Assembly, and the President’s assent to become a law.
Senators Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra) and Samuel Anyanwu (PDP-Imo) jointly sponsored the bill read in the Senate on June 22, 2016.
Its passage in the Red Chamber followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service by its former Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP-Bayelsa), on the floor of the Senate.
The bill, after Paulker’s presentation, was considered clause by clause by the committee of the whole, and amendments made by the lawmakers were read for the third time and eventually passed.
In his remarks, presiding Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, commended his colleagues for a job well done.
In his words, “Every morning we pray that God should give us the grace to do only those things that will promote the peace and unity of this country.
“I believe that we have shown today that we are committed to the unity of this country, and it is this unity that will give us faith in this country.
“This faith will in turn help us to pursue peace and progress,” he said.
Briefing newsmen after plenary, members the South East caucus of the Senate, led by Sen. Enhinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia), thanked their colleagues and members of the committee for their efforts.
Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of the caucus, urged the President to sign the bill into law “as soon as we tidy it up and bring to him, in the interest of the unity and progress of Nigeria”.
“This will put to rest the long-drawn agitation in the South East, and the difficulties in the rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts that started at the end of the civil war.
“All things we see always will end up at the negotiating table, which is what we have done,” he said.
The lawmaker said he hoped the House of Representatives would give concurrence to the bill as it went in the Senate.
When established, the South East Development Commission would be the third zonal interventionist body in the country.
Bishop David Oyedepo, the Founder and Presideng Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, on Saturday predicted that nothing would disturb the peace of Nigeria and its story would change for the better in the year 2019.
Oyedepo made the declaration at the just concluded annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family, christened the “Dominion”, in a satellite telecast of the church.
In the telecast monitored in Abuja, the cleric also declared that 2019 would be a year of “I have Dominion”.
“Nothing will tamper with the peace of Nigeria; the story will change for the better in the name of Jesus.
“Nigeria shall not see bloodshed, the Prince of Peace will continue to dominate in Nigeria, in Africa and Nigeria is declared blessed.
“Anywhere you step, accident is forbidden; death will not come near you and our nation.
“Anything that is of grace in my life, I freely release upon you today.
“God has opened the year 2019 to us, celebrate Him because its our year of “I have Dominion,” he said.
The Bishop added that the year 2019 would be a year of humbling testimonies for Nigeria and pace-setting testimonies.
He further declared that 2019 would be a colourful year for the nation.
According to the cleric, as long as Jesus has the final say on the issues of Nigeria, it will experience greatness.
Oyedepo said that there would be no more cause of alarm in any area of the nation and its citizens.
He advised Christians in Nigeria to delight themselves in the spirit of servant-hood, adding that the spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood.
“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood. As you keep rising on the ladder of leadership, you must retain our spirit of servant-hood, constantly working to add value to others and be kingdom minded,” he said.
According to him, dedication is at the root of dominion, saying: “Sow yourself as a seed by being totally dedicated to God and His Kingdom’’.
He told his congregation that sacrificial giving guarantees the meeting of all their needs.
“When you engage in taking care of the well-being of others, God is also committed to your well-being,” he explained. The cleric admonished Christians would engage in meeting the needs of the needy, every barrier on their path of destiny would be crushed.
“Nobody tampers with your life, your career, your family and goes away with it because you are promoted to God’s kingdom.
“God will stand for your defence in the day of trouble. Every sacrificial giver has a defence around him in the day of trouble always have that in mind,” he said.
He reminded his congregation that the Church is not a building; the Church is a people and the Redeemed of the Lord.