A new Chief of Staff has emerged in the cabinet of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi. This followed the swearing-in of Hon. Tony Okocha, who now took over from Barr. Nyesom Wike, the present Minister of Education for State. The duo
are from Obio/Akpor, the largest Local Government Area in Rivers State.
Speaking with newsmen at his residence in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor L.G.A, Hon. Tony Okocha, who was a Special Assistant (SA) to former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, urged the people of the state to believe in God and in what the Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s led administration is doing in the state.
The former Obio/Akpor Chairman emphasized further that Governor Amaechi is the driver on the seat, adding that theirs is to support him. Hon. Okocha hinged his utmost challenge on how best he will contribute his quota, to the development of the state. As the general secretary of IYM, Hon. Tony used the occasion of the Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) congress held at Akpor Grammar School, to replace some of the association’s Unit Coordinators, whom Okocha said were no longer active in their services, hence the swearing-in of those appointed coordinators by the IYM President General.
However, Hon. Chimelem Nnanta Wali, PDP party secretary in Obio/Akpor L.G.A and Chairman, Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) in Obio/Akpor, described Hon. Tony’s inauguration as the day that the Lord has made, while thanking Governor Amaechi for what he has done for the people of Obio/Akpor, especially the appointment of Barr. Nyesom Wike as the Minister of Education for State, and that of Hon. Tony as the new Chief of Staff.
Hon. Chimelem who described Hon. Tony Okocha as a humble and intelligent young man, urged him to ensure that every one is being carried along in his new assignment.
Meanwhile, Hon. Chief Samuel Ubaka, JP, said it was a thing of joy that Tony has been remembered in the scheme of things in Rivers State. He noted that the crowd at Tony’s residence was a replica of the love that the people have for him, while Hon. Dr. Ndubuisi Adikema, a forner Local Government boss and ex-commissioner in Rivers State believed that Hon. Okocha will do well as the Chief of Staff, having prepared himself before now through serving at different levels in government.
Dr. Adikema enjoined Tony Okocha to put-in his best, irrespective of what people may say, to be loyal to his master and to learn from other political office holders. Both Hon. Chimelem Wali, Hon. Samuel Ubaka, JP, and Hon. Dr. Ndubuisi Adikema, commended Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi , the Governor of the State, for the infrastructural and other developmental projects in the state, particularly in the health and educational sectors, while Princess Ure Ejims, PDP Women Leader in Obio/Akpor L.G.A and women leader, Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) in Obio/Akpor, said the appointment of Hon. Tony Okocha was one of the best decisions that the Governor had ever made, admitting that the Governor has really touched lives in Obio/Akpor, through the appointment of Hon. Tony, as the new Chief of Staff in his Cabinet.
By Blaise Elumezie
