The People of Emohua have called on the Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to upgrade their third class stool to a first class status.
This was contained in an address presented by Chief Hon. Andrew Uchendu, lawmaker representing Ikwerre/Emohua constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, on behalf of the eight communities of Emohua, comprising, Rumuche, Oduoha, Elibrada, Isiodu, Rumuakunde, Rumuohia and Mgbuitanwo, during the coronation of Eze Vincent Chituru Benson, Okor the 12th, as the Nnenwe-Eli Emohua (Paramount Ruler of Emohua), at state School1 Ahia Ezi, Emohua Local Government Area, on Saturday May 12, 2012.
The people of Emohua who expressed their profound gratitude to God for the emergence of their new king, noted that the chieftaincy stool, deserved a first class status, stressing that its absence has destroyed their heritage, honour, pride and discounted most painfully, the many contributions of the sons and daughters of Emohua both living and dead to the growth and development of the state. They believed that governor Amaechi who is their son and a people-oriented governor would do them right by upgrading the stool to a first class level.
According to him, “outside the traditional justifications for the request, in the great years of yore, Emohua had always played key roles in the affairs of Nigeria, the state and Ikwerre land. It should not be forgotten, the role played by a son of Emohua, late Chief E.J.A Oriji during the Nigeria civil war to keep Nigeria one, his role in the creation of Rivers State, his role in the formation of Ogbakor Ikwerre, later becoming its first chairman. Politically Emohua sons have never played second fiddle from the days of NCNC of the first republic through the NPN days, till today.” They pointed out that governor Amaechi, an Ikwerre son, is now in power and that it was right and proper for him to consider the request of Emohua people to elevate their stool to a first class status, as it was often said, “you reap what you sow.”
Chief Uchendu commended Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization, world-wide, under the leadership of chief Sampson Agbaru, for mediating peace in the area, especially at the time the king was to be chosen, assuring that Emohua would not witness blood shed again.
He lauded governor Amaechi for his developmental strides in Rivers State, the many model schools, road network, hospitals, Greater Port Harcourt project, among others, and praised him for positively affecting the political careers of some eminent sons of Emohua and for remembering them in all the projects embarked upon in the state. He appealed to him to carry their professionals along by appointing them into positions of trust and responsibility, assuring that the people would give him good service.
Chief Uchendu appealed to Amaechi to prevail on the police authorities to put the police station building that Engr. Emeka Woke, the former chairman of Emohua LGA built, which has not been occupied into use. He further appealed to Amaechi to complete the Emohua model primary school situated along the Emohua-Kalabari Highway, stressing that Emohua proposed to build a befitting palace for Nnenwe-Eli Emohua.
In his response, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while commending those who supported the coronation of the new King, said his administration has been magnanimous to the people of Emohua in the area of project executions and appointment of sons of Emohua into positions of trust in the state.
Governor Amaechi frowned at the destruction of existing peace in the area by the youths of Isiodu, Rumuakunde, Odoha, all in Emohua LGA and urged the people of the LGA to restrain the youths from such acts or face the wrath of the law.
The chief executive officer of the state who was represented by Chief Hon. Barr. Chidi Lloyd, lawmaker representing Emohua constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly and the leader of the House, noted that the stool of Emohua was as old stool as that of Kalabari kingdom, adding that the call for a first class stool by the people of the area was a serious issue and assured that it would be taken care of.
He congratulated the newly installed Nnenwe-Eli Emohua and promised to give him all the assistance he deserved to enable him succeed.
Chief Alabo Graham Douglas, former minister of Culture and Tourism and one time commissioner in Rivers state who chaired the occasion, in his speech, expressed delight for being called upon to chair the occasion, recalling the cordial relationship existing between Emohua and Kalabari.
Chief Douglas noted that many inter-tribal wars have been fought in the state, but Emohua and Kalabari remained united.
He recalled how the late E.J.A Oriji approached him while he was a minister for the creation of Emohua LGA which he assisted.
The great son of Kalabari who noted that Emohua deserved a first class stool, urged Rt. Hon. Amaechi to elevate the stool and advised the new king to take advices from the elders and the youths to enable him succeed as well as ensure employment opportunities for the unemployed youths.
Chief Sergent Chidi Awuse, the former governorship candidate of DPP in Rivers state and the ‘bulldozer’ of Rivers politics described the coronation as the best coronation the state has ever had.
Speaking with newsmen, Engineer Deacon Nnamdi Chukwu the Director of Works, UST, Hon. Allen Nma, chairman of Emohua LGA and Hon. Vincent Erinwo, described HRH Eze Chituru Benson Akor as a humble, honest man who has impacted knowledge to others through his teaching profession, noting that his coronation as the Nnenwe-Eli Emohua was a well-deserved honour, expressing hope that he will perform excellently in his new assignment.
In his response, HRH Eze Benson Akor expressed his gratitude to God and thanked the people of Emohua for the honour done him.
He commended governor Amaechi for all his good works across the state and to the people of Emohua and commended all who graced the occasion. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
