Leaders and people of Elelenwo community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Saturday, conferred on Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the title: “Eze Omekweli Kimbom of Elelenwo”.
Roughly translated, the prestigious title means: “A King that develops the land of Elelenwo”.
Speaking during the reception for the governor, Nyeweli of Elelenwo, Eze Sunny Weli Chukwu declared September 14 as Elelenwo Day when the development agenda of Governor Wike for the area would be remembered by the people.
Chukwu said: “Henceforth, September 14 will be celebrated as Elelenwo Day. Each time we celebrate this day, we shall remember Governor Wike for turning around the fortunes of this community”.
Spokesman of Elelenwo community, Chief Collins Amadi, said that the people of Elelenwo community resolved to honour Governor Wike because of commitment to the development of the area.
He said the Rumuokwurusi-Elelenwo-Akpajo Road was a nightmare, which destroyed the economy of the community and led to the closure of businesses.
The monarch explained that by developing a dual carriageway, Wike has revived the Elelenwo community and empowered the people.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike expressed happiness that the people of Elelenwo community have always supported him all through his political career.
“Elelenwo people have always supported my political growth. They have always taken steps to ensure that we make the desired progress. Elelenwo community has great children who are good and committed people”, he said.
He explained that he agreed to accept the chieftaincy as a mark of respect to leaders and people of the area, who stand firm to defend his political progress.
Wike said: “I don’t usually accept chieftaincy titles, but I had to accept that of Elelenwo because of their consistent support”.
In recognition of the support of the Elelenwo community, Wike upgraded the stool of Nyeweli Elelenwo to a second class status.
Wike also granted the request of the community for the construction of a major police station inside the RSTV compound.
The governor reiterated that he would continue to work for the rapid growth of Rivers State.
He said his commitment to the development of Rivers State was his only reward to the people for the continued support.
However, residents of Rumukwurusi, Elelenwo and Akpajo communities in Obio/Akpor and Eleme local government areas, last Saturday, trooped out to celebrate Governor Nyesom Wike for the dualisation of the magnificent 5.6-kilometre Rumukwurusi-Elelenwo–Akpajo Road.
School children, mothers, traders and religious groups lined up the road, singing the praise of Wike, who intervened when the area was cut off from the rest of Rivers State.
Commissioning the road, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said many residents of the area would have forgotten the deplorable nature of the road linking the two local government areas.
He said the immediate past administration refused to construct the road because of some prominent Indigenes of the area.
The governor said: “People will easily forget the very deplorable condition of this road before we intervened. Today, Julius Berger through consistent funding by the state government has delivered one of the best qualities of roads.
“The previous administration refused to construct the road because some prominent Elelenwo indigenes lived around here. Specifically, the former Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iche Ndu and House of Representatives member, Kingsley Chinda”.
He expressed surprise that after the construction of the road, a traditional ruler from the area who thought he would not get re-elected, joined the opposition to play negative politics.
The Rivers State governor formally renamed the Rumukwurusi-Elelenwo–Akpajo Road as Justice Iche Ndu Road in honour of the former chief judge of Rivers State.
In a project description, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr Walter Ndu, said the 5.6-kilometre road has five roundabouts and ducts for telecommunication companies to set up their facilities.
In his remarks, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon Solomon Eke, said that the people of the two local government areas were happy with the Rivers State Government for delivering on the project.
Eke said that Eleme and Obio/Akpor local government councils would not allow anyone to throw refuse on the median of the road.
Traditional dance troupes from Eleme and Obio/Akpor LGAs entertained guests at the commissioning programme.