It was a memorable day for the people of Ikwerre when all sons and daughters of the ethnic nationality and other patriotic Nigerians across the nation gathered in Port Harcourt to celebrate the 8th Late Dr. Obi Wali’s annual memorial lecture.
The ceremony took place at the auditorium hall of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
It would be recalled that Late Senator Dr. Obi Wali, a great son of Ikwerre was murdered in his bedroom some years ago, and since his demise on the planet earth the people of Ikwerre have been organizing a memorial service in his honour.
In his speech, the chairman of the occasion HRH Alfred Diette Spiff the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass and the first military governor of Rivers State congratulated the people of Ikwerre for their sensitiveness in organizing the 8th annual lecture for their great illustrious son who died some yeas ago.
According to him, during my administration as the Military Governor of Rivers State, I had a formidable team and Late Senator Dr. Obi Wali was among the first cabinet in my administration. He was appointed as the commissioner for Rehabilitation and later Commissioner for Education and Information, he was in my inner caucus.
Alfred Diette Spiff further stressed he always had wonderful time with him together describing him as an intelligent, upright man who stood strongly for what is right and never a dull man recalling that he agitated for the creation of Port Harcourt State while alive and called on his children and other Ikwerre sons and daughters to emulate him.
In his speech, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the governor of Rivers State described late Senator Dr. Obi Wali as undoubtedly an intelligent man and a great orator adding that late Wali advocated for Justice, Equity and fairness while alive.
Governor Amaechi who was represented by Barr. Gboms, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Rivers State assured that he will continue to identify with the cultural organization of Ikwerre that will strengthen the legacy of late Senator Dr. Obi Wali.
In his lecture entitled the perspective on minority and the national building in Nigeria, Chief Solomon Lar, the former governor of Plateau State described late Senator Dr. Obi Wali as a distinguished Senator who agitated for the right of the minority while alive.
According to him, during the pre-colonial independent era, the minorities were the most affected as they were merged with the majority ethnic nationalities of Nigeria such as the Ibo, Hausa and Yoruba who oppressed them.
He recalled that when he, Late Dr. Obi wali, Late Senator Melford Okilo, Chief Anthony Enahuro and other minority groups of Nigeria were elected into Senate and Federal House of the Representative, they agitated for the right of the minorities which favoured the minorities.
He recalled how Dr. Yakubu Gowon, the former Military President advocated for one Nigerian and adviced Nigerians to work in line with Dr. Yakubu’s statement and ensure that Nigeria is one.
In his speech Hon Andrew Uchendu, a lawmaker representing Ikwerre/Emohua in the Federal House of Representative who is also an Ikwerre son recalled how he received his political blessing from Late Senator Dr. Obi Wali before his demise describing Late Wali as a great man and advised the people of Ikwerre not to relent in organizing the annual lecture for the late patriot.
In his vote of thanks Chief Sampson O. Agbaru, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre cultural organization worldwide thanked all who graced the occasion as well as those who contributed to the success of the occasion. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowho
