The Traditional Ruler and Amanyanabo of Ancient Ele Kingdom Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Felix Tamunoseipiriala Okuru has given kudos to the Wakirike Youth Federation (WYF) for their initiative to organize KON Cultural Festival aimed at reviving the rich culture and tradition of the people.
King Okuru made the commendation when the Chairman of WYF Joint Planning Committee, Boma Rowland Kinabere and his team paid him a courtesy visit to solicit for his total support at his Palace in Port Harcourt.
The Ele Monarch disapproved of the fact that most sons and daughters of Wakirike extraction could not speak their mother tongue, swim, operate canoes, fish or even appreciate the rich culture of the people, adding that the occupations of the fore-bearers should not be forgotten as that is what they used to train everybody up to their various heights, and build houses and maintain the family.
According to him, for the organizers to include fishing exhibition as part of the festival was a right step in the right direction as the occupation is fast eroding, stressing that right from when he was a youth at Ele Community till now, he never relented in fishing, and called on all sons and daughters of Wakirike ethnic nationality to take it as a challenge and be proud to be a fisher folk.
The Ele-born Traditional Ruler opined that there should be no dull moment for the people as they could use fishing as a source of livelihood since the white-collar jobs are not forthcoming, and appealed to all to encourage the people to regard fishing as an occupation to cherish.
King Okuru, and Apina VII however expressed dismay over the environmental pollution of the waters which has been a major challenge to fishing occupation, because it has damaged the aqua-system of the people and called on those who indulged in the illegal bunkering activities to desist forthwith, in order to enable the fishermen and women carry out their trade without much stress.
He noted with pride that the Ele people are typical fishermen byoccupation and would endorse without hesitation any programme aimed at promoting the culture of the people especially fishing exhibition
In their separate speeches, the Chairman, Joint Planning Committee who is also the Vice President of WYF, Boma Rowland Kinabere and the Auditor, Amina George thanked King Felix Okuru Apina VII for his interest in the festival and that despite his exalted position, he kaa practically shown that he is a typical fisherman and prayed God to continue to guild and give him wisdom for a remarkable and successful reign so that Ele Kingdom will grow from strength to strength peacefully.
Other dignitaries present during the visit included the Secretary, Ele Divisional Council of Chief. Chief Tamunosiki Tiene, Peritiene, the Palace Secretary, Chief-Elect Philimon Ajumbongodaka Omubo Ibiorika-Kalaopwi and Hon. Fiberesima Minaseichinbo among others.
