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Resettle Okrikans Before Waterfronts Demolition –Amiesimaka

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A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, has said that government plans to modernise and develop the waterfronts around Port Harcourt metropolis is a step in the right direction but cautioned that the people of Okrika who inhabit some of the waterfronts should be resettled before any such exercise was embarked upon.

Chief Amiesimaka Owolo who spoke to The Tide in an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt on Monday noted that the need to resettle the Okrika people before any modernization of development of the waterfronts where they inhabit became imperative because it was only fair to do so in view of the historical antecedents of the people.

“There are historic imperatives concerning the waterfronts that make it only fair, only fair that before such exercise is undertaken, that is before the waterfronts are developed and modernized, and bearing in mind the consequences of initiating such development and modernization, which any reasonable man should support, for especially the Okrika people that regard that place as home, should be resettled”.

Explaining what he meant by resettling the people of Okrika, who inhabit some of the waterfronts, Chief Amiesimaka emphasised that prior to  any such initiation or modernized plan, the people should be resettled.

“There should be no demolition before resettlement, but rather resettlement before demolition”,  saying that he was confident that the state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was well disposed to giving the suggestion the consideration it deserved.

He observed that government could do this by creating land through reclamation and sandfilling process to resettle the Okrika people that would be affected by the plan to modernize the waterfronts.

According to him, “if the Okrika people are resettled, I do not think they have any issue with our dear governor. The only issue is the issue of resettling them first. It is not just a question of buying their houses, no. If the governor in his magnanimity wants to resettle Okrika people and also pay for their houses, am I the person to say  no”? he queried.

Chief Amiesimaka said that if the governor did that, everybody would be happy and applaud him, but noted that what was important to Okrika people in the issue, was resettlement.

“They want a place they can call home if they must leave the waterfronts. That is the issue”, he averred, adding that he was very  hopeful that it could be  done.

Chief Amiesimaka used the opportunity to appeal to the governor to leave the avenue for dialogue open, that people go to court only as pre-emptive measures for fear of the unknown, adding that going to court was the most civilised thing to do if you think, rightly or wrongly that your right had been infringed upon.

The Okrika chief observed that he held the governor in high esteem and cited the renaming of the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt  after him as a show of regard which the governor has for him.

He also said that the people of Okrika had no problem with the governor, noting that the governor had done Okrika proud by appointing their illustrious sons and daughters including the Health Commissioner, Dr Sampson Parker, The Education Commissioner, Ms Alice Nemi, the Sports and the Information and Communications Commissioners, Mr Boma Iyaye and Mrs Ibim Seminatari, respectively into positions of trust.

Besides, Chief Amiesimaka said that the spread of development projects in all parts of the state including Okrika was a pointer to the fact that the governor has a large heart for the people of Okrika, and called for support.

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Retirement: Ignore PSC’s Directive, Remain In Office, IGP Tells Officers 

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The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed all police officers affected by the recent directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC) to disregard the order.

The PSC had directed officers who have served 35 years or reached 60 years of age to retire immediately.

A wireless message from the office of the Force Secretary, dated February 11, 2025, stated that the IGP “strongly directs all officers affected by the PSC’s directive to stay action, pending further instruction.” Officers were told to comply strictly with this order.

Last week, PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the commission’s order followed a review of its previous stance from the 24th plenary meeting in September 2017, allowing force entrants to use their enlistment date rather than their initial appointment date.

The commission cited inconsistencies with Public Service Rule No. 020908, which mandates retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age.

However, the PSC clarified that it does not have the constitutional authority to determine the appointment or retirement of IGP Egbetokun.

 

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Be Consoled, God Who Gives, Also Takes, Fubara Tells Principal Secretary 

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has extolled the sterling motherly virtues of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta, and urged the children not to deviate from those valuable lessons she had taught them.

 

Late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta (79 years) is the mother of Dr Ayebaesin Jacob Beredugo, the Principal Secretary to Governor Fubara.

 

The Rivers State Governor, who described Dr Beredugo as a brother,  trusted ally and key stakeholder of his administration, urged him to be consoled in God and bear the loss with fortitude.

 

Governor Fubara gave the advise at the funeral service in honour of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta at the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Anglican Communion in Nembe City, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State yesterday.

 

The Rivers State Governor said: “We are here as a government to show that in this difficult time, we stand with him. We know that there is no consolation here that can fill the gap of this loss, more especially the loss of a mother.

 

“But, we want to draw his mind to the good Book: that it is the Lord that giveth, and it is also the Lord that taketh. And he takes for a reason.

 

“We live in a corrupt world, and when you are a saint in the world, when it pleases the Almighty and He believes that He doesn’t want you to be corrupted, He takes away the soul to a better place where death is no more, where you don’t have to look for food again, where you have peace.”

 

Governor Fubara expressed strong belief that given the way Mama had lived and the good virtues that had been read out and said about her, there is no doubt that she will be in a good side in heaven.

 

The Governor decried the current condition of the cathedral where the funeral service held and committed the support of the Rivers State Government to ensure the completion of the building in memory of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta

 

“We have been made to understand that the Cathedral needs strong support. We are willing to support the completion of the Cathedral. We will support the building in memory of Mama with the sum of N50million”

 

Delivering the sermon on the topic; “Hope in the face of death”, Bishop of the Diocese of Western Izon, Rt. Rev. Victor Okporu, said those who are confidently expecting positive future must also believe in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and be prepared to spend eternity with Him.

 

Reading the biography of the late Madam Ayebadieye Edward-Igbeta, brother of the decreased, Mr Godwin Ekine, said his late sister was an embodiment of love, care, peaceful and kind-hearted, and touched lives through her generosity and compassion.

 

Friends and well-wishers from Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states, some of whom shared fun memories of the late matriarch, were later hosted to a funeral reception at King Koko’s Square in Nembe Town.

 

Also at the burial were the State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu; Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo; member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Boniface Emerengwa; and Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie.

 

Others are Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, Dr Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja; Chief Hanny Woko; Amaopusenibo Fubara Hart; Chief Theodore Georgewill; members of the State Executive Council; Special Advisers; top politicians, leaders and stakeholders in the State; among others.

 

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Old Boys Plan Rehabilitation Of GSS, Okehi

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The Chairman of the Old Boys Association of Government Secondary School (GSS), Okehi Etche, Rivers State, Prof. Sir, Umunna Offor, has stated that the association would soon visit their alma-mater and rehabilitate decayed infrastructure and facilities in the compound.
The chairman made this assertion while speaking with some newsmen after an extensive meeting of the Old Boys in Port Harcourt, recently.
Sir Offor stated that since they left the secondary school, some years ago, most of the facilities and infrastructure built by then Rivers State Government had decayed and worn out.
“ However, being responsible ambassadors and Old Boys of the college, we would not fold our arms and expect government to rebuild everything in the school compound, hence, we have decided to come together and graciously assist our alma mater’, he said.
“The meeting was basically for like-minds to gather to find a way to help the school, it is a thing of joy to see and receive old school friends and comrades who have gone far in life and have excelled in their respective chosen fields”.
Speaking in the same vein, Engr, Lasbrey Amadi; (FNSE), who is also an old boy and former member of the House of Representatives, said the association would be working in synergy with the administrators of the school to ensure that in no distant time; there would be a massive face-lift in the physical infrastructure in the school compound.
Veering into politics in Nigeria of today, Engr, Amadi, said that god-fatherism in politics had seriously killed the gains and beauty of democracy in Nigeria and quickly urged politicians to always play-down the issue of god-fatherism in politics and ensure good governance in the country.
In his comment, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Association, Mr Goodluck Nwaobilor, said the door of the association is still wide open for new members who finished from the school to join and work towards taking the association to higher level.

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