The Rivers State House of Assembly has elected the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Edison Ehie, as the Leader of the 10th Assembly.
Also elected along with him are Linda Somiari Stewart of Okrika Constituency (Deputy Leader), while Major Jack of Akuku-Toru Constituency 1 (Chief Whip), and Ofiks Kagbang Christopher of Andoni Constituency, who is the new Deputy Whip.
The election of principal officers of the House followed a call for nomination by the Speaker, Rt.Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Wednesday, on the floor of the House.
Ehie was nominated by the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, Lolo Isaiah, and was seconded by Hon. Azeru Opara of PHALGA Constituency 3, while Edison Ehie of Ahoada East Constituency 2 nominated Linda Somiari Stewart to serve as Deputy Leader, and was seconded by Dunebari Lolo of Khana Constituency 1.
For the position of the Chief Whip, Enemi Alabo George of Asari-Toru Constituency 1 made the nomination and was seconded by Linda Stewart, while Ofiks Kagbang Christopher was nominated by Azeru Opara and Lolo Isaiah.
Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, at the end of the election congratulated the elected members while urging them to work in harmony for a proper representation of the people.
The leader of the House, Hon. Ehie moved the motion for the adoption of the standing order of the 9th Assembly. The motion was seconded by the Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Stewart, and the House subsequently adopted the standing order for the 10th Assembly.
Earlier, the Speaker had informed the legislators that the Head of Estate and Works will allocate offices and Houses to members.
He urged the legislators to cooperate with one another for peaceful deliberation in the House, before the House adjoured its sitting to 19th of June.
Meanwhile, the new Speaker has assured that the welfare of staff would be paramount during his tenure as Speaker.
He gave the assurance when he met with staff of the Assembly.
Amaewhule also assured of his determination and commitment to make things better, move the Assembly to an enviable height, while soliciting for the support of the staff.
He assured regularly meeting with the union leaders with a view to being abreast of their challenges, but cautioned against truancy and urged them to sit up.
On her part, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Staff association of Nigeria in Rivers State, Comfort Otuene, assured of the support of the staff to the tenure of the Speaker and wished him well.

By: Ike Wigodo

Former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Enenimibo-Ofori Dateme, has been crowned as the new Onu Onyan Ekein/Amanyanabo of Obonoma Community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
By the ceremony, King Dateme is now Obonogina ix of Obonoma Kingdom.
While placing the crown on the head of King Dateme at the Obonoma Community Square, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta, Rt Rev Emmanuel Okwuchi Oko-Jaja pronounced blessings on the new monarch.
“We annoint your head. We annoint your chest. The service and dedication of this crown to God, that as Solomon was annointed, may you be annointed”, he said.
The Bishop, who was represented by the Vicar of St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Obonoma, Venerable Isobeye Amabibi, also called on the new monarch to rule with the fear of God.
He urged him to embark on a unification campaign in the community.
In an interview with newsmen, Amabibi called on the new King to promote love and bring everybody together in unity and oneness.
Meanwhile, the Obonogina ix, King Enenimibo-Ofori Dateme, has unveiled his vision for the kingdom.
Speaking shortly after his coronation, he said he would work towards the development of the Obonoma mainland and its satellite communities.
According to the King, the Kingdom, which has vast land, has great potentials for development.
He said the community has dedicated itself to God, adding that by this feat, the ancient rituals of libations is gone for good.
He also announced that a day will be set aside annually for the rememberance of the founding fathers of the Kingdom.
Deteme warned mischief makers to keep off, adding that no one will be allowed to destroy the Kingdom because of selfish interest.
He commended former Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for not only recognizing the Obonoma chieftaincy stool, but classified it as second class and presented a staff of office to him.
Meanwhile, some traditional rulers in Kalabari Kingdom have hailed the choice of King Enenimibo-ofori Dateme as the king of Obonoma.
Speaking with newsmen, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema Kingdom, His Majesty King Disrael Gbobo Bobmanuel, said the community has made the right choice by coronating King Dateme as the Amanyanabo of the community.
He also advised him to promote peace and love among his people.
Also speaking the Amanyanabo of Minama and Chairman, Asari Toru council of governments recognize traditional rulers, HRH King Iboroma Talbot Pokubo, said Dateme was the right person to lead the community at this point in time.
King Pokubo also called on the new monarch to unite the people, while also calling on the people to rally round their king to enable him succeed.
The ceremony was attended by monarchs from the various Kalabari Kingdoms and Communities as well as Government officials.
It would be recalled that king Dateme was selected by the Queen Bo Royal family of Obonoma to ascend the throne of Obonoma Community in June 2020.
The ascension followed a long period of interregnum occasioned by the death of the Obonogina Viii in 1987.
He was a Second Class traditional ruler and member of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council.

By: John Bibor

As reactions continue to trial the recent key appointments so far made by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, a Royal Father in the state, Eze Silvanus Ogbueri, has applauded the choice of Dr George Nwaeke as the Head of Service.
Ogbueri, the Onwanagbara Oha 1 of Etche Ethnic Nationality, who spoke on the sideline of the swearing-in ceremony of the new members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, in Port Harcourt, noted that the appointment of Nwaeke would invigorate the state Civil Service for a more effective service delivery.
He explained that as one who passed through the various strata in the service, Nwaeke would bring his wealth of experience to bear to spur a more productive workforce.
“Dr Nwaeke passed through the rudiments, having worked in several levels and handled critical state assignments excellently, he understands better the functions of a head of service.
“Those who have worked closely with him know for one thing, he is a man who has the milk of kindness flowing in him. So, I am confident that he would lead a more effective, more productive and peaceful workforce”, he said.
He enjoined the state civil servants to always put in their best and cooperate with the government in the interest of the state, stressing that it is when workers understand their critical position in the working of government and the government understands the feelings, especially the welfare of workers, that the state enjoys more productive and peaceful service delivery.
Commenting on quality of representation that the people of Omuma expect from those elected to represent the area at the legislative arm of government, Eze Ogbueri expressed confidence in the elected representative of Etche/Omuma.
Federal Constituency, Hon Kelechi Nwogu, and Hon Sylvanus Nwankwo in the Rivers State House of Assembly to live up to expectations.
According to him, “Hon Kelechi Nwogu, having represented Omuma people creditably well, for the number of years he had been at the State House of Assembly, obviously he won’t find the floor of the Green Chambers as a strange place.
“Sylvanus Nwankwo, being a successful lawyer and a two-time Commissioner in the state, obviously would give Omuma people quality representation.
“So, based on their experience, I have explicit confidence in these stars to give Omuma people the expected quality representation”, he stated.

By: Anekwe Chimamaka