The Rivers State governor, Nyeson Ezenwo Wike has been commended for having the courage to present certificates of recognition and staff of office to classified traditional rulers in the state, an exercise which was performed last over 40years ago.
One of the beneficiaries of the presentation, HRH Eze Ken Nwala (JP), Ugo I of Etche land, Onyeishi Agwuru III of Ulakwo/Umuselem Kingdom stated this in a chat with newsmen during the presentation ceremony in Port Harcourt.
He stated that the achievements of the governor in this his second tenure 100 days in office has surpassed that of same period in his first tenure.
“The governor has more monumental programmes this time around than in the first tenure, especially the presentation of Certificates of Staff of Office which I am a beneficiary.
The second class traditional ruler used the opportunity to appeal to His Excellency to accompany this kind gesture with the fulfillment of his promise to give out vehicles to the recognized monarchs to ease their mobility in the discharge of their duties.
Eze Nwala also appealed to the governor to consider granting them the opportunity of controlling the security votes of their respective LGs to enable the traditional rulers take effective control of their domain, in the maintenance of peace and security adding that the development equally makes for proper accountability than with the politicians.
He equally urged the governor to consider the traditional rulers to take charge of the customary courts as according to him, the monarchs are in a better position to interprete the customary laws as the custodians of culture and traditions.
Eze Nwala explained that if this is done, the challenges of insecurity in the grassroot will be minimized.
He also advised that governor Wike should give the issue of youth unemployment priority attention in order to reduce youth restiveness in the state as according to him, “idle minds are the devil workshop”.
The monarch equally advised that mechanized Agriculture should be introduced not only for food security but would also engage the youths and remove their minds on social vices.
While appreciating the governor for coming to the rescue of Etche people on their road rehabilitations, Eze Nwala further appealed to the governor to remember most of the deplorable roads in Etche which he had promised to fix including Odufo/Akpogu/Umueye road and Chokoko/Okechi road. He disclosed that the Imo State governor has done his own part of the road leaving the part of Rivers State, adding that the Etche people has indeed been cut off from the rest of the country.
Eze Nwala noted that he believes that Gov Wike, the action governor who always comes to the aid of his people will not abandon them, adding that the all important road will not only open business relationship between the two neighbouring states but will further promote inter-relationship.
He made it known that Wike has indeed tried for Etche people but would remain eternally indebted to the governor, should he eventually fix those roads that has become nightmare for them.
