Rumurukani community, Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State, recently, had their monthly family meeting to deliberate on issues of peace, unity and development of the integrated families.
While interacting with the people in their “Ikwerre language,” the chief of Staff, Rivers State government House, Chief Hon. Tony Okocha among other issues, said that the office of Chief of Staff and his job are enormous that he cannot use it negatively against anybody in the state.
He further reiterated that the elevation of the Akpor traditional stool to a first class stool is a process that started long before the Rivers State House of Assembly fracas and promised not to disappoint his people.
However, the Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State, Hon. Chikodi Dike, who called for the support of Rumurukani family, said he was neither the most nor the least qualified person in Obio/Akpor to be appointed as the chairman of the council, describing the appointment as a divine call to serve his people.
Dike who maintained that his relationship with workers at the council is cordial, added that salaries are being paid to workers despite the fact that the council headquarters is under lock and key. He disclosed that his visits to the 17 wards of the council were to meet with the people, handle some of their needs and to channel those that are beyond the council’s capacity to the state government to address them.
He however, urged the people of Obio/Akpor to feel free to come to the council office at Rumuola, Port Harcourt to make their contributions, ask questions, if any or for business transactions.
Speaking with The Newswriter at the end of the meeting, Elder Azunda Nyege, chairman, Rumurukani community, Ekinigbo clan in Obio/Akpor LGA, described the meeting as their normal monthly family meeting that started from the time of their forefathers.
He explained that there was no ulterior motive behind the meeting, adding that the presence of the state Chief of Staff at the meeting was never a surprise or mystery, disclosing he has been a member of the family prior to his appointment as the Chief of Staff, government House, Rivers State.
While pledging their unfliching support to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, for his appointment of Hon. Tony Okocha as the State Chief of Staff and Hon. Chikodi Dike as the Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor, Elder Azunda said that the duo are sons of Obio/Akpor and the need for them to give maximum support to the man that honoured them, Amaechi.
Nyege assured Hon. Dike of their readiness to welcome him to their family as he goes about visiting the people of his council, while Hon. Lawrence Wali, former councilor representing Ward 12 in OBALGA charged the people to sheathe their sword and embrace peace, which according to him was the out-come of the meeting.
Wali stated that Obio/Akpor is the headquarters of all the political crisis in the state and urged the people not to aggravate the issue, even though people have already taken sides.
He further emphasized that President Goodluck Jonathan is their own, likewise Gov. Amaechi and the need for the people to give their maximum support to the duo to achieve their administrative plans, he added.
It would be recalled that Mr. Chikwe Orlu, personal assistant to the Rivers State Chief of Staff, Hon. Okocha had on a similar event at Rumuigbo community, advised that the youths of the community remain calm, adding that merging politics with community affairs has been the bone of contention in the community.
Orlu who is the PDP youth leader in the community maintained that they will remain resolute as subjects to the executive governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the political leader of the state and the state Chief of Staff, Hon. Tony Okocha, while commending Gov. Amaechi for the maturity that he exhibited in handling the current political situation in the state. ###
