…As Owaza Council Of Chiefs Pays Solidarity Visit to Eze Okere
The traditional Ruler and Ochimba of Chokota Community in Igbo-Etche, Etche local government area of Rivers, Eze Elijah Okere has advocated for stronger ties between the Chokota Community and its neighboring Communities as a way of promoting cohesion unity and inter community development in the areas.
Addressing the media when the Owaza Council of Chiefs in Ukwa East local government area of Abia paid a solidarity visit on him at his palace in Chokota Community, Eze Elijah Okere harped on the need to revive the ancient inter boundary relationship that binds the Chokota Community and it’s nieghbors in Abia and Rivers State.
The monarch who expressed appreciation for the courtesy visit by the Owaza Council of Chiefs to rejoice with him over his elevation as the new Ochimba of Chokota community said the visit will rekindle the age long relationship between his Community and the Owaza people.
According to the Ochimba, inter boundary relationship among nieghboring Communities will promote the needed cohesion, cohabitation, peace and unity which he added is required for cultural and social development in the various communities.
“Even before I became the Ochimba of Chokota community, I was well known beyond the vicinity of my community. That was why when the announcement of my new position as the Ochimba was made, it went viral. That was why the people from Owaza in Abia state decided to pull out their Council of Chiefs to come and rejoice with the Chokota Community. As it is said, when the righteous rules, the people rejoice. Our relationship with Owaza people has existed over the years. Our neighbors had always rejoiced and grieved with us whenever there was joy or grief in our community”, the Eze emphasised.
Eze Okere explained that the visit was not only for him personally but for the entire Chokota community, Igbo AgwuruAsa and the people of Etche local government area, stressing that he will use his new position as the Ochimba of the Chokota Community to interface with all their neighboring Communities of Rumuokwurusi, Chokocho, Eneka and others to promote inter boundary peace and security in the areas.
Leader of delegation and Chairman, Etiti Oha Owaza Council of Chiefs, High Chief Augustine Ihelemaba who spoke to newsmen at the event described the relationship between the two Communities as cordial stressing that the visit was to re-establish working synergy with the Chokota Community with the view to see how Owaza and Chokota communities can pull their wealth of experiences as oil producing Communities to bring development to both areas.
“There has been a lot of crises in the Communities. Owaza is a golden egg in Abia state. We want to harness the opportunities in both Abia and Rivers to better the lots of our people”, he stated.
High Chief Ihelemaba listed the numerous challenges confronting Owaza Community to include the lack of motorable roads, electricity, medical and health facilities and lack of good schools, adding that Chokota and other Communities in Etche local government area of Rivers State suffer from similar social deprivations.
“I believe that if we come together by reviving our interstate boundary relationship, we will be promoting development in our areas”, he said.
He blamed the activities of oil bunkering in Owaza Community to the lack of determined will by the government to tackle the menace adding that it has become a lucrative activities in the entire Niger Delta region.
Chokota Community Development committee (CDC) Chairman, Comrd. Martin Elechi expressed the need for all to work in unity to bring development to the community.
