Rivers
Ekpeye Kingdom Gets New Monarch
Eze Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, has emerged the winner of the Eze Ekpeye Logbo stool election conducted on Saturday at Ahoada Town, the administrative headquarters of Ekpeye Kingdom in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Anugwo garnered five votes out of a total of 12 delegates to defeat his three other rivals; High Chief Nname Robinson Ewor grabbed four votes, while High Chief Stephen Ezekwem Amenim and High Chief (Prof.) Dulu Appah, scored three and zero votes respectively.
Declaring the result, the Electoral Committee chairman, Hon Stephen Umanta Ihua-Maduenyi, ex-Ahoada East Council boss, advised the contestants to accept the result in good faith, noting that the election was conducted in the glare of the law enforcement agencies, Rivers State Government representatives, press men and other observers. The chairman after announcing the result, issued certificate of return to Anugwo, the winner of the election.
Speaking shortly after the declaration, Anugwo said, “I am overwhelmed. I never knew Ekpeye people like me this way; I dedicate the certificate to God, and my late parents, who never lived to see their son become the third Eze Ekpeye Logbo.” Anugwo thanked all his supporters including the law enforcement agencies and both council chairmen for making the day a huge success.
He reiterated his three points agenda which include security, peace and placing Ekpeye in the scheme of things.
Meanwhile, effort to get comments from the losers failed as they had departed the information centre, the venue of the election, before the result was pronounced.
The Electoral Committee Chairman remarked that election of Eze Ekpeye Logbo was not strange in Ekpeye land. He emphasised that it started when the need for a Chief to represent Ekpeye at the Eastern Region House of Chiefs in Enugu, was established by the colonial government.
Maduenyi noted that the maiden election which saw the Late Upata, Eze Edmund Unoshi Ashirim, as winner was keenly contested by late Chief Tom Imo from Ehuda, Late Chief Fred Ogbonna from Igbuduya, while Late Chiefs Aganuzor and J.D. Okwukwu were Akoh and Ubie. He added that Ashirim who represented the Ekpeye at the House of Chiefs reigned from 1960-1977.
The ex-Ahoada East council boss recalled that the second election was occasioned by the demise of the first occupant of the stool of Eze Ekpeye Logbo in 1978. He said, Late Eze Robinson O. Robinson (Ubie) emerged as the winner, while Chief C.U. Ideozu from Ehuda, Eze O. Owukori of Igbuduya and Chief C.A. Okpara – Upata were among the contestants. He added that Eze Robinson ruled from 1978-2018.
He stated further that the vacancy created by the death of Eze Robinson necessitated the formation of the Committee he chaired to conduct the election.
Recall that the Ekpeye people have been grappling with the election of a new Eze Ekpeye Logo since after the conclusion of the necessary rites associated with proper burial of their late monarch.
The Tide learnt that there were agitations from the various clans especially Ubie and Upata clans laying claims as the heir apparent to the stool. To make matters worse, even the incumbent first class monarchs of the clans were allegedly eyeing the apex seat of Ekpeye.
However, relief came their way as the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, during one of his facility visits to Ekpeye land last December, issued an ultimatum that the Ekpeye should elect another monarch within two months.
Recall also that the people of Ekpeye ethnic nationality had held a special congress last Thursday to address the issue of the lingering Eze Ekpeye Logbo election. While in the convention at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, it was unanimously agreed that the earlier 20 delegates prescribed by the Eleco from each of the six clans of Ekpeye be pruned to two delegates each and a new date fixed for the election.
Also in the said meeting, a 7-man Eleco led by High Chief Godwin Osai was set up to conduct election of Uzugbani Ekpeye Executives (EU) whose tenure expires May 2022.The members of the committee who were drawn from the six clans and one special nominee for EU executive has High Chief Godwin Osai (Upata) and Barr. Hamilton Morrison (Ubie) as Chairman and Secretary. Others include ;Adamu Moses (Ahoada), Barr. Uchechukwu Igbegiri (Igbuduya), Mr Godday Owoh Chizhim (Ugbobi), Mr. Umuna Robinson (Akoh) and Dr. Friday Onyije (EU exco nominee).
Meanwhile, the Eleco after inauguration was given 30days within which to conclude their work.
BY: Agimo, Emenike Benson
Rivers
RSG Gives Illegal Dump Site Operators Quit Notice
The Rivers State Government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to operators and occupants of an illegal dumpsite located in a residential and an industrial area along Danjuma drive, off Peter Odili Road, in Port Harcourt, to vacate or be forced out.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, issued the order during an on-the-spot visit to the area along with the enforcement team of the Ministry.
He condemned the use of the large hectare of private land by scavengers as a dumpsite in an unauthorised area to gather and sort solid waste for recycling.
Hon. Bipi said operating such dumpsite in a residential and industrial area portends grave environmental and health risk.
He also condemned the conversion of the area to a slum accommodation with shanties and illegal structures by the scavengers and other individuals.
Bipi wondered why the property owner would allow such illegal activities in his property in an area designated as residential and industrial zone.
He warned that the State Government would commence the clearing of the dumpsite and demolition of all shanties and illegal structures in the area at the expiration of the seven days deadline.
The Commissioner reiterated the unwavering determination of the Ministry under his watch to mitigate the proliferation of illegal structures and slums in Port Harcourt and other parts of the State.
On his part, the Chairman, Special Committee on Development Control of the Ministry, Tpl. David Ogbanga, said the existence of such slum is impeding the efforts of the Ministry in promoting sustainable urban development in line with the United Nations Goals on Sustainable Development.
He said besides its negative impact on urbanization, slums act as a breeding ground for miscreants and promotion of social vices. Ogbanga decried the pollution of the environment as a result of activities of the operators of the illegal dumpsite and the slum dwellers.
He vowed that in the coming days the Enforcement Team will go tough on slum dwellers and operators of such unauthorized dumpsite in Port Harcourt and its environs.
By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Charity Amiso
Rivers
Lawmaker Tasks Govt On Indigenous Cultures, Languages Promotion
The House of Representatives member representing Port Harcourt Constituency 11 in the National Assembly, Hon. (Mrs) Blessing Amadi, has called on government at all levels to give more attention to the promotion of indigenous cultures and languages.
She stated this at the just-concluded Ogbakor Ikwerre OPA Branch Cultural Day at Rumuekini, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The lawmaker, who expressed concern over the danger of extinction being faced by indigenous languages and culture, said the situation needs serious government attention.
She also called on Ikwerre parents to bring their children up in the ways of the culture and traditions of the Ikwerre nation and commended the organisation for its effort in sustaining Ikwerre cultures and traditions.
Also speaking, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Eze Godspower Onuekwa, said Ikwerre as an ethnic nationality has distinct dressing, language and culture
Onuekwa said the organisation is working hard to ensure that the Ikwerre language and culture do not die.
He also tasked parents in Ikwerre land to teach their children the Ikwerre language and culture.
Speaking on the topic, “Dressing As An Expression of Cultural Identity”, Professor Matthew Wegwu explained the need for an ethnic group to strictly ensure its traditional attires are not abused, but worn in a proper manner in order to prevent misidentification.
He said parents must do more by advising their children on proper dressing in order to avoid being abused by following current trends in the society.
The OPA Branch Chairman of the association, Eze Chris Onunwor, and the Programme Planning Committee Chairman, Dr. Ovuchi Agwu, said the programme was organised to celebrate Ikwerre cultural heritage and urged all hands to be on deck to ensure the preservation of Ikwerre culture.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of awards to distinguished and long serving members of the association, drama presentations and wrestling bouts.
By: John Bibor
Rivers
Rivers Seals Firms Over Non-Compliance With Physical Planning Law
The Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has sealed some oil and gas service Companies and training firms at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout of Port Harcourt over non-compliance with the Physical Planning Law and Regulations of the State.
The Commissioner, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, who led the enforcement team on the action, accused the companies of flagrant violation of standards and procedures of the Nigerian building codes and regulations of the Ministry while carrying out development projects in their premises.
He said the companies failed to comply with the requirements on the monitoring, verification and compliance exercise carried out by officials of the Ministry.
The Commissioner also frowned at the companies for also failing to honour invitations extended to them by the Ministry over the issues.
Hon Bipi said the sealing of premises of the defaulting companies was done with human face and within the ambit of the law.
He clarified that it was not meant to disrupt the operations of the companies but a necessary action to compel them to comply with safety, quality and other regulatory standards of the building industry.
The Commissioner assured that the affected companies will be unsealed as soon as they send their representatives to the Ministry to resolve the outstanding issues.
On his part, the Chairman of the Special Committee on Development Control of the Ministry, David Ogbanga, explained that the companies failed to provide relevant documents required of them, which include previous and current plans with elevations and setbacks, previous and current development permits and approval on fencing and renovation as well as Urban Infrastructure Support Plans.
He said others include Demand Notices and evidence of original receipts of payment, Reports of relevant professionals on subject plan, as well as Location Map and Survey Plan.
Ogbanga said the companies were duly served with notices of enforcement, which include that of contravention, stop work and seal-up, in accordance with relevant sections of the Physical Planning and Development Law of the State before the execution of the action.
He said the affected companies will remain sealed until their Managements demonstrate seriousness and willingness to resolve the outstanding issues.
The Chairman of the Special Committee on Development Control further stated that this will serve as a deterrent to non-compliant companies and corporate organisations in the State.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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