Kenneth Amabipi
The 51st Independence Anniversary of Nigeria was celebrated with march past and fanfare in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Saturday, October 1, 2011. It was the first ever formal gathering organized by the Local Government Area and in his speech, the Chairman, Hon. Tamuno Williams who was grateful to the Chiefs of Okrika and the thousands of pupils and students that graced the occasion for their support and commitment, said indeed, Okrika has bright future and “can attain its height very soon”. He called for unity and urged all, “to become much more Okrika conscious as it has become glaring that Okrika would rise indeed”. “We are called Wakirike, which means we are the same, no difference. Let us discard divisive tendencies, myopic ideas, primordial sentiments and look on to the dreams of our founding fathers who worked and toiled to build a monument for us like the St. Peter’s Anglican Church built in 1923. It showed they had vision and focus,” he stated, and asked, “can we say today that we have vision and focus? I think we can start all over”. Hon. Tamuno Williams began his speech by saying, “It is my profound joy and privilege to welcome all of us to mark this first independence anniversary after our attainment of a golden independence anniversary. “You will recall that 51 years ago, our country, Nigeria, gained independence from Britain after a very long period of colonial rule and colonial administration. Today, after 51 years, Nigeria is proudly celebrating her independence. We therefore thank our fathers who fought gallantly, through their national activities, through various forms of legitimate legislations for the independence of our dear country, Nigeria. “We must therefore look back and assess the gains we have made within this period of 51 years”. The Chairman went on to say, “Nigeria is privileged to remain united, committed to move forward and determined to attain her place in the comity of nation”. He urged all to be realistic “to the fact that our unity is challenged,” and that as a nation, “our goals cannot be achieved unless we become aware of the current challenges of security, poverty and other vices,” which he noted, were not peculiar to the nation. “However, let us become more vigilant and security conscious,” he advised. Several schools and voluntary organizations participated in the match past. Early Child Caring Centre, Ogoloma, emerged overall winner in the nursery category while St. Peter’s Primary School, State School Okari Ama and Emmanuella Primary School, Okrika, won the first, second and third positions respectively, in the primary schools category. In the Junior Secondary School Category, Okrika Grammar School, Community Junior Secondary School, Okujagu and Community Secondary School, Ogan Ama, emerged first, second and third, respectively, while Okrika National Secondary School, Community Secondary School Okochiri and Kings Group of Schools, Okochiri, took first, second and third positions, respectively in the Senior Secondary School Category. However, the glory of the match past went to Miss Love B. O. Nwikonzor, a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC member, serving in the Local Government Area. She single-handed, purchased the band set used for the match past and was one of the drummers. Miss Nwikonzor donated the band set to C.S.S Okochiri and paid for the training of the students to handle the instruments. “I did it for my passion for music,” she said, while the principal of the school, Dede B. Peter, said they were all elated and surprised. “She donated it to the school. She is serving in the council. She bought and trained the band members,” he said.#### Kenneth Amabipi The 51st Independence Anniversary of Nigeria was celebrated with march past and fanfare in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Saturday, October 1, 2011. It was the first ever formal gathering organized by the Local Government Area and in his speech, the Chairman, Hon. Tamuno Williams who was grateful to the Chiefs of Okrika and the thousands of pupils and students that graced the occasion for their support and commitment, said indeed, Okrika has bright future and “can attain its height very soon”. He called for unity and urged all, “to become much more Okrika conscious as it has become glaring that Okrika would rise indeed”. “We are called Wakirike, which means we are the same, no difference. Let us discard divisive tendencies, myopic ideas, primordial sentiments and look on to the dreams of our founding fathers who worked and toiled to build a monument for us like the St. Peter’s Anglican Church built in 1923. It showed they had vision and focus,” he stated, and asked, “can we say today that we have vision and focus? I think we can start all over”. Hon. Tamuno Williams began his speech by saying, “It is my profound joy and privilege to welcome all of us to mark this first independence anniversary after our attainment of a golden independence anniversary. “You will recall that 51 years ago, our country, Nigeria, gained independence from Britain after a very long period of colonial rule and colonial administration. Today, after 51 years, Nigeria is proudly celebrating her independence. We therefore thank our fathers who fought gallantly, through their national activities, through various forms of legitimate legislations for the independence of our dear country, Nigeria. “We must therefore look back and assess the gains we have made within this period of 51 years”. The Chairman went on to say, “Nigeria is privileged to remain united, committed to move forward and determined to attain her place in the comity of nation”. He urged all to be realistic “to the fact that our unity is challenged,” and that as a nation, “our goals cannot be achieved unless we become aware of the current challenges of security, poverty and other vices,” which he noted, were not peculiar to the nation. “However, let us become more vigilant and security conscious,” he advised. Several schools and voluntary organizations participated in the match past. Early Child Caring Centre, Ogoloma, emerged overall winner in the nursery category while St. Peter’s Primary School, State School Okari Ama and Emmanuella Primary School, Okrika, won the first, second and third positions respectively, in the primary schools category. In the Junior Secondary School Category, Okrika Grammar School, Community Junior Secondary School, Okujagu and Community Secondary School, Ogan Ama, emerged first, second and third, respectively, while Okrika National Secondary School, Community Secondary School Okochiri and Kings Group of Schools, Okochiri, took first, second and third positions, respectively in the Senior Secondary School Category. However, the glory of the match past went to Miss Love B. O. Nwikonzor, a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC member, serving in the Local Government Area. She single-handed, purchased the band set used for the match past and was one of the drummers. Miss Nwikonzor donated the band set to C.S.S Okochiri and paid for the training of the students to handle the instruments. “I did it for my passion for music,” she said, while the principal of the school, Dede B. Peter, said they were all elated and surprised. “She donated it to the school. She is serving in the council. She bought and trained the band members,” he said.####
