Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Barrister George Ariolu, has urged traditional rulers to spearhead the campaign for peaceful and harmonious co-existence among communities in the area.
He said traditional rulers should continue to be rallying points for the promotion of peace, unity and development in their various communities.
Ariolu gave this charge while declaring open the second quarterly meeting of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Recognised Traditional Rulers in Rumuodomaya.
He said, “Let me thank you for the peaceful disposition in your various communities. You are aware that peace is paramount; peace is the key to development. Where there is no peace, we won’t have the means to grow. It’s impossible to come into communities with crisis to develop and for me it’s a thing of joy that since I came into office we’ve not recorded any internal community issues. As custodians of our culture in the various communities, I thank you for the peace.”
Ariolu, who called on traditional rulers to deliberate on the need to promote peace and unity, maintained that his administration would continue to harness its relationship with security agencies in the area for the advancement of peace and progress.
He further counselled the monarchs on the need to shun segregation, stressing that issues and concerns raised by subordinates should be addressed, while also encouraging them to carry their people along in activities affecting the various communities to enhance peace, unity and development in the area.
“My fathers, there is the need in our various domains to carry our people along, let us do away with this issue of divide and rule. You cannot be the head of various domains and instead of you to bring people together you separate them. You are the traditional head, bring people together, work with them, we have intelligent people in our local government area. Even those who do not agree with you, at every given point in time, reach out to them because in some areas the reports we are having is not very encouraging.”
Similarly, Ariolu reminded the monarchs of the law establishing its council which mandates them to promote peaceful coexistence in their various communities.
According to him, recent studies have shown that the fundamental causes of conflict in communities can be traced to relegation of certain members.
Ariolu remarked that the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has imprinted the name of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality and entire Rivers State in the political history of Nigeria which cannot be erased.
He said it was only when monarchs promote peace in their domains that the governor’s efforts can be consolidated.
The chairman, who led the monarchs on an inspection to some ongoing projects in the council headquarters, commended the royal fathers for their encomium, stressing that human capacity development remained a watchword for his administration.
Accordingly, he revealed that the next phase of Post Graduate and Masters grants would commence in September, 2022.
He added that there was nothing wrong in building structures but assured the royal fathers that the investment in human persons would last the test of time and have greater multiplier effect.
On his part, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council of Government Recognised Traditional Rulers and Supreme Council of Government Recognised Ikwerre Traditional Rulers, and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, Eze C.A.A. Worlu Wodo, commended Ariolu for his giant strides, particularly in human capacity development.
He expressed the royal fathers’ delight following the eye-catching and youth friendly projects embarked upon by the chairman, while expressing optimism that Ariolu would leave a good legacy for his successor.

By: Nelson Chukwudi