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Rivers

Apara Kingdom Gets New Monarch

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Following the demise of the eze
Oha Apara III of Ekinigbo Clan/Apara Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Kesiorlu Royal House, has coronated a new Paramount Ruler, Chief Gift Eziwhuo Johnson to replace the late Sir Eze S.N. Wali.
The coronation ceremony which took place at the Palace of Late Eze S.N. Wali in Rumuigbo Community last Tuesday attracted several chiefs, Owhor holders, youths, women and top government functionaries including the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Sir Tony Okocha and a Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor, Mr. Alex Wele among others.
The Chairman of the Kesirlu Royal House, Prince Kenneth Wali in an address presented at the occasion on behalf of the royal family said it was the prerogative of the royal house to coronate a new King whenever the stool was vacant in order not to create a vaccum, stressing that the Eze Oha traditional stool was hereditary.
He also went down memory lane to buttress his point, stressing that the historical background of the stool spanned several years, beginning from 1925.
Prince Wali further explained that the rightful person to occupy the stool must come from  Obogha’s linage, as the first son of Kesiorlu, and expressed delight that the new Monarch, Chief Gift Johnson had come of age to occupy the stool of Eze Oha Apara IV.
He said it was wrong to play politics with the tradition of the people. The address was also signed by Ojiowhor Chinda Wali, Mr. Chidi Wakpa and Elder Godpower N. Worlu Wobo.
All those who spoke at the event lauded the emergence of Chief Johnson as the new Paramount Ruler and pledged their loyalty to his administration.
In his response, Chief Johnson thanked the Chiefs, Owhor holders and all those who made his coronation a success, saying, it was by the grace of God that he was chosen as the new King.
Speaking with newsmen in his Palace, Chief Johnson said the process that brought him to the throne was based on the truth as his people told the world the truth to pave the way for his coronation.
According to him, his coronation was a new dawn from the Ekinigbo Clan and the Apara Kingdom at large.
He said since it was the truth that brought him to the throne, he would always abide by the truth and ensure that the truth always prevailed, assuring that he would never disrespect or disobey the throne.

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Rivers

RSG Gives Illegal Dump Site Operators Quit Notice

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The Rivers State Government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to operators and occupants of an illegal dumpsite located in a residential and an industrial area along Danjuma drive, off Peter Odili Road, in Port Harcourt, to vacate or be forced out.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, issued the order during an on-the-spot visit to the area along with the enforcement team of the Ministry.
He condemned the use of the large hectare of private land by scavengers as a dumpsite in an unauthorised area to gather and sort solid waste for recycling.
Hon. Bipi said operating such dumpsite in a residential and industrial area portends grave environmental and health risk.
He also condemned the conversion of the area to a slum accommodation with shanties and illegal structures by the scavengers and other individuals.
Bipi wondered why the property owner would allow such illegal activities in his property in an area designated as residential and industrial zone.
He warned that the State Government would commence the clearing of the dumpsite and demolition of all shanties and illegal structures in the area at the expiration of the seven days deadline.
The Commissioner reiterated the unwavering determination of the Ministry under his watch to mitigate the proliferation of illegal structures and slums in Port Harcourt and other parts of the State.
On his part, the Chairman, Special Committee on Development Control of the Ministry, Tpl. David Ogbanga, said the existence of such slum is impeding the efforts of the Ministry in promoting sustainable urban development in line with the United Nations Goals on Sustainable Development.
He said besides its negative impact on urbanization, slums act as a breeding ground for miscreants and promotion of social vices.    Ogbanga decried the pollution of the environment as a result of activities of the operators of the illegal dumpsite and the slum dwellers.
He vowed that in the coming days the Enforcement Team will go tough on slum dwellers and operators of such unauthorized dumpsite in Port Harcourt and its environs.

By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Charity Amiso

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Rivers

Lawmaker Tasks Govt On Indigenous Cultures, Languages Promotion 

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The House of Representatives member representing Port Harcourt Constituency  11 in the National Assembly, Hon. (Mrs) Blessing Amadi, has called on government at all levels to give more attention to the promotion of indigenous cultures and languages.
She stated this at the just-concluded Ogbakor Ikwerre OPA Branch Cultural Day at Rumuekini, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The lawmaker, who expressed concern over the danger of extinction being faced by indigenous languages and culture, said the situation needs serious government attention.
She also called on Ikwerre parents to bring their children up in the ways of the culture and traditions of the Ikwerre nation and commended the organisation for its effort in sustaining Ikwerre cultures and traditions.
Also speaking, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Eze Godspower Onuekwa, said Ikwerre as an ethnic nationality has distinct dressing, language and culture
Onuekwa said the organisation is working hard to ensure that the Ikwerre language and culture do not die.
He also tasked parents in Ikwerre land to teach their children the Ikwerre language and culture.
Speaking on the topic, “Dressing As An Expression of Cultural Identity”, Professor  Matthew Wegwu explained the need for an ethnic group to strictly ensure its traditional attires are not abused, but worn in a proper manner in order to prevent misidentification.
He said parents must do more by advising their children on proper dressing in order to avoid being abused by following current trends in the society.
The OPA Branch Chairman of the association, Eze Chris Onunwor, and the Programme Planning Committee Chairman, Dr. Ovuchi Agwu, said  the programme was organised to celebrate Ikwerre cultural heritage and urged all hands to be on deck to ensure the preservation of Ikwerre culture.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of awards to distinguished and long serving members of the association, drama presentations and wrestling bouts.

By: John Bibor

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Rivers

Rivers Seals Firms Over Non-Compliance With Physical Planning Law

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The Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has sealed some oil and gas service Companies and training firms at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout of Port Harcourt over non-compliance with the Physical Planning Law and Regulations of the State.
The Commissioner, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, who led the enforcement team on the action, accused the companies of flagrant violation of standards and procedures of the Nigerian building codes and regulations of the Ministry while carrying out development projects in their premises.
He said the companies failed to comply with the requirements on the monitoring, verification and compliance exercise carried out by officials of the Ministry.
The Commissioner also frowned at the companies for also failing to honour invitations extended to them by the Ministry over the issues.
Hon Bipi said the sealing of premises of the defaulting companies was done with human face and within the ambit of the law.
He clarified that it was not meant to disrupt the operations of the companies but a necessary action to compel them to comply with safety, quality and other regulatory standards of the building industry.
The Commissioner assured that the affected companies will be unsealed as soon as they send their representatives to the Ministry to resolve the outstanding issues.
On his part, the Chairman of the Special Committee on Development Control of the Ministry, David Ogbanga, explained that the companies failed to provide relevant documents required of them, which include previous and current plans with elevations and setbacks, previous and current development permits and approval on fencing and renovation as well as Urban Infrastructure Support Plans.
He said others include Demand Notices and evidence of original receipts of payment, Reports of relevant professionals on subject plan, as well as Location Map and Survey Plan.
Ogbanga said the companies were duly served with notices of enforcement, which include that of contravention, stop work and seal-up, in accordance with relevant sections of the Physical Planning and Development Law of the State before the execution of the action.
He said the affected companies will remain sealed until their Managements demonstrate seriousness and willingness to resolve the outstanding issues.
The Chairman of the Special Committee on Development Control further stated that this will serve as a deterrent to non-compliant companies and corporate organisations in the State.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

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