As Rundele Seeks Divine Solution To Chieftaincy Crisis

Not wanting to toe the less popular and destructive paths of
some of its neighbours, especially those of Ogbakiri and Rumuekpe in Emohua
Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Rundele Community may have opted for
a divine solution to the chieftaincy crisis that has been rocking the community
for sometime now.

Following the death
of Eze S.I. Alete, the paramount ruler of Rundele, a number of interest groups
have sprung up in the area, all laying claims to the coveted second class
stool. The situation has not only factionalised the people, but has also
impeded the steady growth and development of Rundele Kingdom.

It was against this development that some prominent
indigenes of the community decided to seek divine intervention in the affairs
of the area.

Recently, a non-governmental organisation, the Lucky Worluh
Foundation, along with some prominent citizens of the area called out the
people of Rundele for a one-week fasting and prayer for peace to reign in
Rundele.

Speaking during the grand finale of the fasting and prayer
at the St. John’s Anglican Church, Ndele last Sunday, the founder of the
organisation, Mr. Lucky Worluh said the situation was to seek for mercy and the
forgiveness of sins with the view to attracting the blessings of God on the
community. Mr. Worluh, a board member of the Rivers State Universal Basic
Education Board  (RSUBEB) whose speech
was titled, “The Vision Behind The Rundele Thanksgiving Day,” said that Rundele
has recognised that, the only way of enthroning peace is by seeking the face of
God.

“As a foundation, we thought it wise to partner with the
clergy in Rundele churches to pray for mercy, forgiveness of sins and
blessings”, he stated.

He said that this was in line with Biblical injunction
recorded in Matthew 6:33 which says, “But seek ye! The Kingdom of God, and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”.

According to him, “in the past, what we heared in Rundele is
(was) “Ndele Kwe Huoma” (Ndele people don’t appreciate good things) and when
you asked, they would explain to you that, white men visited Rundele, our
people drove them away and they have laid (placed) curse on the land”.

Mr. Worluh said that the people must be ready to discard
such belief as well as do away with some traditions which seem to have impeded
progressive ideas in the area.

“The idea behind Rundele Thanksgiving is for Rundele people
to come together to thank God for all he has been doing for us.

“Secondly, it is for us to interact socially, know
ourselves, share ideas, opinions, exchange phone numbers for a better tomorrow.

“It is sincerely for the development and emancipation of
Rundele people and not political. We suggest that, this programme will be an
annual programme for Rundele people”, he said.

The Rivers State Commissioner  for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon.
Charles Okaye cautioned the people against plunging the area into crisis,
warning that all crises prone communities in the State will be denied of
government projects. Hon. Okaye stressed the need for the community to amicably
resolve their crisis as violence never pays.

The Commissioner drew the people’s attention to the
situation of some communities around them, whose people now live in exile,
praying that Rundele must not be reduced to such situation. Government, he
said, was ready to come to the aid of any community whose citizens cooperate
and live in peace.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker who
was one of the guests at the ceremony, described the thanksgiving service as a
step in the right direction. He said that God holds solutions to all human
problems.

Dr. Parker stated that Rundele, by the thanksgiving service,
has invited God to take care of their destiny, noting that by so doing, all
inhibitions to the development of the area have been removed. He suggested that
the service be made an annual event, while reconciliatory programme be
initiated to calm all fray nerves in Rundele.

“I will encourage you to continue with this thanksgiving
service, because God has the solutions to all problems,” he said.

He commended the Lucky Worluh Foundation for the courage to
call on the people for the one week fasting and prayer. He therefore called on
all other communities in the area to emulate it.

The Special Adviser to Rivers State Governor on Information,
Communication and Technology (ICT) Mr. Goodlife Nmekini told newsmen that
Rundele people have decided to come together to move the community forward.

Mr. Nmekini who is an indigene of the area said “the people
of Rundele have taken a decision and the community would move forward. He also
re-echoed the need to make the event an annual one that would move round the
five communities of Ndele which are Omofo, Agbu Ndele, Egumi Ndele, Mgbuola and
Mbeila.

The Chairman, Emohua Local Government Area, Chief Allen Nma
said that the council would not recognise the Ndele chieftaincy until the
community settles its crisis.

Chief Nma said that Ndele was important to the Ikwerre
ethnic nationality as it is the home of the President-General of Ogbakor
Ikwerre, Chief Sampson Agbaru.

The council boss also cautioned youths in the community
against taking laws into their hands and announced the suspension of the Ndele
Youth Council election till further notice.

In his sermon, the Archdeacon in charge of Odegu Acheaconry,
Ikwerre Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Venerable (Dr.) Israel N. Johnson
said that Rundele people have taken a decision which would bring blessings and
prosperity to generations of Ndele people.

Dr. Johnson who took his text from the Bible book of Jonah
3:10 stated that God will always forgive those who seek after him with their
whole hearts.

According to him, God raised up Jonah to preach to the
people of Nineveh to repent their sins, as God has equally raised up somebody
to preach to  the people of Rundele to
repent their sins.

He said that just as the people of Nineveh hearkened to the
voice of Jonah and repented their sins and were blessed, it behoves on the
people of Rundele to hearken to the voice of God and repent.

The clergyman wants the people of Rundele to discard evil
traditions, while supporting their patriotic sons and daughters to bring
development to the kingdom. He used the occasion to praise Hon. Lucky Worluh
for his sense of patriotism which has made him to bankroll the programme.

The event was attended by dignitaries from all walks of  life, including the President-General of Ogbakor
Ikwerre, Chief Sampson Agbaru.

A cross section of people who attended the event described
it as  a new dawn for Rundele community
as it was the first of its kind in the area.