Gov Fubara Sues For Peace Against Violence
Katherine Abayomi
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi, during the formal Inauguration of Eze Oha Apara, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo, the Paramount Ruler of Ekinigbo and Eze Oha Apara IV, in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, on Thursday.
Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara has said that he is not among politicians who exclude communities or a whole local government area from the dividends of democracy because of sheer political disagreement.
Eze Wodo, chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, also led other prominent Ikwerre traditional rulers to confer on Governor Fubara the traditional title of Enwa Gbaga Nu Ohna (the moon that shines in Ikwerre land).
The Governor stated that his political mindset appreciates that disagreements cannot be avoided, denying any section of the State requisite public amenities or government support cannot be reckoned with him because it is a public fund that will be spent on Rivers people to better their lives.
He was speaking in response to insinuations in some quarters about his generous execution of projects in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, given the fierce political antagonism staged against him by some political leaders.
Governor Fubara said: “Like they said, if it were in other cases, I wouldn’t be interested. No, I don’t play politics that way. He’s our chairman, he’s from Rivers State, and whatever we are doing, it is not my fund; it is the resources of the State. We should apply it for the betterment of our State.
“The only thing I will ask you in return is: continue to support this administration. Be law-abiding. That is the only way to progress and develop in your communities. No matter the level of provocation, try to control your temper. We don’t use fights to resolve fights. You use peace, apply it well using the Artificial Intelligence (AI) method to defeat troublemakers.”
Governor Fubara expressed delight at having accomplished the palace for the good people of Apara Kingdom, which stands as proof of the recognition and respect shown to the traditional institution in the State. He described the palace as a beautiful symbol of the respectable status that kings of the State should have to hold their place of pride among their peers.
He noted, “Like the Senator said, we came here, and we saw that this place was still under construction. We felt that if our chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers should have an event and invite his contemporaries from other states, he doesn’t need to bring them to the Government House; he needs to have a befitting palace.
“We know what happens in other places. When you meet with traditional rulers and go to other states, you see wonderful palaces of the traditional rulers. So, I think it is right for us to start beautifying our traditional rulers so that people will see them and take them seriously. So, we are adding another feather to the Eze Oha Apara, a feather by having a befitting palace.”
Governor Fubara also stated that his administration is constructing an ultra-modern general hospital, the first in the area, for the people of Obio/Akpor; an upgraded Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital that will enable the State to tackle mental health-related challenges; and a palace for the Akpor King and his people, which will be inaugurated soon.
He said, “So, chairman, as we inaugurate this wonderful palace, we are not ending it here. We want to make sure that because of the support that I can feel here, we are going to reconstruct all the bad roads here. So, it is an addition to what we are doing here today. You can feel our love for you in several ways. We are building a general hospital for you, which you don’t have, you know it. We are also upgrading the Psychiatric Hospital to a modern one that can stand the challenges ahead.
“We are not just ending there, you know, we are building a palace. Maybe, by the special grace of God, by February next year, we will inaugurate it for His Royal Majesty of Akpor. It is a show of love and the importance that I attach to the Obio/Akpor people.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration would continue to address their socio-economic needs while they continued to support his administration. He charged the people to protect the palace because it was now a communal legacy that successive royal fathers would use.
Performing the project inauguration, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, the Obong of Calabar, natural ruler, treaty king, and grand patriarch of the Erik Kingdom, said Governor Fubara has distinguished himself with such an identifiable gesture for the traditional institution, stressing, “This is what we expect of successive administrations to realise that they are running a relay race to develop the institution where they find themselves at any given time. Your Excellency, you have done well, and I must say, we are proud of you.
“Today, I am glad to be here to commission this palace, which is a physical manifestation of your goodwill, respect, and good intention for traditional institutions.”
His Eminence urged other governors and political officials to emulate Governor Fubara’s work for the traditional institution and be desirous of providing people-oriented projects to their people.
He said: “I don’t intend to descend into the political arena. However, as a father, I must stand with the truth and show solidarity with you during this turbulent time. There have been a lot of political rumblings in Rivers State. Still, I will stick to and re-emphasize the fact that you are the Executive Governor of Rivers State, a mandate freely, willingly, peacefully, and resoundingly given to you, no other person, but you by the people of Rivers State. Do not let them distract you. Shut out the noise and focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to the generality of the good people of Rivers State, who, combined, are your employers and your boss”.
Chairman of the Building Committee, Senator John Azuta Mbata, said the entire palace complex comprises the main palace with 8 bedrooms and 3 sitting rooms, the people’s hall with a 500-capacity main hall, and 3 meeting rooms. He added that there is a VIP Hall with spaces to attend to the king’s daily activities and a Guest House with two units of one bedroom and four units of suite apartments for VIP visitors.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Amb Chijioke Ihunwo, thanked Governor Fubara for building and furnishing a royal palace for the Apara people and their king, a gesture they did not get from their son as Governor. He noted that it is heart-touching to know that Governor Fubara was also building a befitting palace for the Akpor King.
