The Oba (Eze-Ogba) of Ogbaland and former chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence Sir (Dr) Chukumela Nnam Obi II (OON, DSSRS, AP, JP) has broken silence over the recent agitation for the creation of more communities out of Omoku saying that he was not against the demand but those championing it must follow due process in order not to plunge the community into crisis.
According to the Ogba monarch, communities just like wards, Local Government Areas or states are not created in beer palours, motor parks, market squares, youth offices or through the back doors without consultations, consents or approval of the accredited -authorized body. Adding that the process of creating more communities in Omoku by the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs was ongoing but was delayed because of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
Oba Chukumela Nnam ObiIi who spoke while playing host to a delegation of Omoku Peoples Forum, a body made up of Omoku Elites who visited him on Wednesday, 14/10/2020 called on the people of Omoku communities not to allow persons with no credibility, sycophants, enemies or those with selfish interests to divide them through spreading of fake and malicious news but rather they should dose ranks, be united and speak with one voice against the common problems facing them.
He charged Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, Elders, parents and Elites of the area to always educate their subjects, children and wards on the need to remain peaceful and respect constituted authority at all times, as according to him, crisis is an ill wind that blows no good to any person, community, state or country than harm.
Oba Chukumela Nnam Obi II who will clock 80 years and 50 years on the throne on 20th November, 2020 and 19th December, 2020 respectively! thereby becoming the longest monarch on the throne in Nigeria re-stated his earlier resolve as a father not to keep malice or curse any person or group even those tasting aspersion on him! as according to him VENGENCE is for God Almighty, and further told the people to be their brother’s keepers by shunning acts capable of causing confusion in the area and stressed the need for patience! oneness and understanding among the Ogba people in resolving issues that affect the generality of the citizens.
He accused some Rivers State government officials and agencies of igniting disunity in Omoku by extorting money from unsuspected persons and issuing fake documents to communities as registration certificates and therefore called on Governor Ezenwa Nyesom Wike, OON RSSRG POS(Africa) to monitor activities of some ministries and officials in the state.
The Ogba Monarch appealed to the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State especially the youths to learn from what happened in the area few years ago by resisting any attempt to be used as tools by agents of destabilization, desperate and greedy politicians to use them to cause violence again in the area.
The Eze-Ogbawho called on Federal and Rivers State Governments to create job opportunities for the teeming youths to enable them be fully engaged, lamented over the deplorable conditions of roads in Omoku and lts environs, expressed dismay that the roads which are death traps had remained neglected despite all appeals by the people to the Federal, State and Local Government for their rehabilitation including solid drainages noted that the sorry state of the roads are causing untold hardship on the people of Orashi Region.
He used the fora to appeal to the Federal Government, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Rivers State and Local Government Areas as well as philanthropic organizations and individuals to come to the aid of Orashi people by providing them with palliatives as flood has swept away many residents while thousands of others have been rendered. homeless with their houses and farmlands swept away.
The Eze-Ogba thanked his guests for the visit and requested them to use their privileged positions to attract development to the area and as well educate the people on the need for them to always maintain peace by shunning embers of disunity.
Other persons who spoke at the ceremony described Oba Chukumela Nnam Obi as a Godsent ruler, great philosopher, elder statesman, bridge builder, misunderstood Royal father, philanthropist and a man Ogba people are blessed to have and who will continue to be celebrated by his subjects and Nigerians in general, prayed God to continue to protect and guide him and wished him long-1ife and good health.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and former Registrar of Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Dr. A.C. Nwokocha had told the Royal father that their visit was to interact with him on how best to bring lasting peace and unity in Omoku and described those trying 10cause problems in the community as people with no fix address and thereafter presented the committee’s position paper to the Oba for his input.
He thanked the Ogba Monarch for granting their request for the visit as well as the hospitality accorded them and promised that his committee will do their best without fear or favour to ensure the unity and rapid development of Omoku Communities In particular and Ogba Kingdom in general.
The ceremony was graced by accredited Traditional rulers, Chiefs, youths and women leaders including the Immediate past Chairman of PDP Rivers state, Bro. Felix Obuah JP, the Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mr. Ohia Prince Obi, two Port Harcourt based legal practitioners, Sir Emeka Ichoku and Barr. Uche Okirigwe, former chairmen, Omoku C.D.C, Dr. Ndu Amadike among others while the Oba was assisted to receive his guests by the Eze Iyasara and Traditional Prime Minister of Ogbaland, HRH, Eze Louis Ajie, Jp, the Chairman Omoku City Coundl of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, HRH, Eze (Sir) M.O.Olowu, the Eze Obieti III, HRH Eze Ikechukwu Onita and the Secretary Omoku City Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Chief Nwachukwu Martins Olowu, among other Traditional Rulers, Chiefs and Elders.
