The Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, chief (Hon) Anthony Chidugam Okocha (JP) has made it known that he has no enemies to fight but intends to use his new appointment as COS to work for Rivers people.
He made this declaration over the weekend at Ogbogoro and also at Eliozu communities of Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State as he went round the Ikwerre speaking LGAs, sensitizing the people and inaugurating some chapters of the Ikwerre Youth Movement, IYM.
The COS expressed disappointment that some members would be callous enough to push away the ladder with which they climbed into stardom, in tacit reference to the factional members of the IYM, the camp of Barr. Nyesom Wike.
He explained that IYM is a socio-political structure of the Ikwerre speaking areas of the state with Governor Chibuike Amaechi as the grand patron and is meant as a vehicle to realize the group interest of the people.
Chief Tony Okocha appealed for support from his people as a natural reciprocation, since according to him, “ I have been campaigning for the support of others all along. if I ask for your support, will I be asking for too much?” And the answer was an overwhelming “No!”.
All the stakeholders who spoke promised their unalloyed support both for the youth movement and the COS.
Hon. Chibuchi Chukwu, a.k.a. Bulldozer, said the appointment of Okocha was a recognition of hardwork and promised to mobilize support for him.
Mr. John Owhonda, Organizing Secretary, Obio/Akpor IYM, Ogbogoro, Mr. Amadi Nkasiobi aka Kasman, unit coordinator IYM, all expressed happiness on the choice of Okocha and pledged to work with him.
Engr. Richard Alete, President General, Rivers Youth Movement, RYM, used the opportunity to congratulate the COS and asked him to concentrate attention on the empowerment of the Rivers youths with his appointment.
The former vice chairman of the council, Dr. Lawrence Chuku on his part expressed disappointment that some people in the LGA would choose to distract or frustrate a fellow IYM member when all they should be doing was to be grateful to Governor Amaechi and God Almighty for his mercies and as well rally support for Okocha’s success.
Perhaps what was most outstanding in the gathering was the storming of the venue by the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, supporters led by their youth leader in the council who is also the Ikwerre Youth Congress, IYC chairman, Comrade Oru Nwobueze and Mr. Aleruchi Tasie, declaring their support for their sister group and as well congratulating Hon. Okocha on his appointment which they said was timely as according to them, “it will take care of the marginalized and intimidated youths of the council”. They also urged the COS to look into the area of youth empowerment.
At Eliozu, the group had a successful inauguration of the chapters’ Exco as well as that of Rumewhara units, despite threat messages of war received should the function holds there.
The threat was serious however, which made the organizers went extra miles in their preparation. The first elevens of the area were appointed in the Excos while the audience was also of the high caliber VIPs. Persons like the president General of the IYM, Hon. Chibuike Wanjoku, Hon Ike Chinwo, the former House of Rep Member, were present.
The stakeholders expressed dismay that persons like Hon. Martins Amawhule representing Obio/Akpor Constituency 1 in RSHA who has benefited immensely from IYM was not only absent from its gathering but is working against the system that made him.
The movement however promised to forge ahead in the interest of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality despite the distraction.
The IYM president assured all the members to be united and steadfast with the union and wait for their own turn. He recalled that even Tony Okocha they are celebrating was recognized as the Secretary General of the movement. ###
Joe Kalu
