The Chairman Rivers State Panel on Review of Chieftaincy Institution, Sir Samuel Egbe said about 665 memoranda submitted by various communities and clans across the state all have been treated.
Sir. Egbe made the disclosure while chatting with journalists at the conclusion of the Panel at Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt last weekend.
Sir. Egbe recalled that the panel kicked off their assignment on 17th April, 2017 aimed at ensuring peace in 23 LGAs of Rivers State as it was stated that a place where there is no peace would be difficult to govern expressing joy that the panel concluded its assignment successfully.
According to him, we are happy and optimistic that the whole 665 memoranda submitted to the panel have been adequately addressed and “I want to inform you that from the experience the six members of the panel gathered Rivers State is a rich reservoir and there were political undertone in some areas, I assure you that we will give the state government a credible report that would be sustainable”.
Commenting if the panel was influenced by anyone, the chairman noted that after being inaugurated and charged by Governor Wike to carry on the assignment without fear or favour.
“I told him that no traditional ruler will influence any of the panel members, we also went on air to announce, so no one influences us till we rounded up the assignment”, Sir Egbe alleged.
According to him, this is a panel of “six wise” men nobody can influence.
In a chat with journalists shortly after presenting his matter with some chiefs, elders and youths of Opobo kingdom, Sir. Dr. Gabriel Toby the former deputy governor of Rivers State said they were at the panel to strengthen the recognition of King Jaja stool.
According to him, the stool has been created and recognized by the Colonial masters since 1880 but our aim of coming to the panel was to ensure that the present government strengthen what the colonial masters have done.
Sir. Toby who noted that the aim of setting the panel was to harmonize the traditional institution and urged traditional rulers to settle their problems.
On his assessment of Rivers State 50 years ago, Sir. Toby noted that the state has developed rapidly.
Meanwhile in a chat with journalists at the panel venue, Warisenibo Benjamin Ogolo who led other traditional rulers and chiefs from Opobo kingdom said their prayer was that Rivers State government should recognize Ogolo stool.
According to him, we have been 2nd in Command since the time of King Jaja of Opobo, adding that the king is always aware of their 2nd position in the kingdom, appealing that the panel should as well upgrade their stool to 2nd Class expressing optimism that the panel will do justice to their matter.
Similarly, Sir Chief Bara Bere, a prominent traditional ruler in Gokana LGA while presenting his matter before the panel appealed that his stool Bere Bara stool should be recognized.
Sir. Chief Bara Bere who noted that the stool which was created since 240 AD which is older than Nigeria lamented that the stool has been abandoned and appealed that it should be recognized and upgraded to 2nd class.
He further appealed that the panel should do justice in handling matters brought before it. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
