Stakeholder Lauds Wike Over N1bn Donation For Flood Victims

The Director-General of the All Rivers Stars for SIM and a music icon, High Chief Gift Iyumame Eke, popularly called ‘Muma Gee’, has lauded the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, over the N1billion donation to flood victims, even as she shunned the planned trip to Ethiopia.
Eke, who made this known to newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, recently, said the donation would go a long way in assisting flood victims across the state, especially those from the Orashi region.
Describing Wike’s intervention as timely, the music maker also called on international organisations, oil and gas companies and public-spirited individuals to rally round and assist the flood victims in order to restore their hope.
On her planned foreign trip, Eke said she couldnot go and make people laugh and smile at a concert in a foreign land while her people were lavishing in pains at home due to the devastating effects of the flood.
“Gentlemen of the press, I am highly pained and devastated as I grant you this press interview. You are probably aware of the flood that has taken over the entire Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, which as I speak with you now, the incident has become a national issue, if not an international issue due to the level of damage caused by the flood”, she said.
According to her, many families had been rendered homeless in the area, including her own community.
The artist also revealed that thousands of houses had been submerged, properties worth millions of Naira destroyed, thousands rendered homeless and starved of essential foods, some ill already of water-borne diseases while many had died as a result.
“In short, the displaced victims have been moved to various camps provided by the council chairmen of Ahoada East and Ahoada West local government areas. Indeed, gentlemen, I am emotionally touched by the incident because right now, those at the various IDP camps and open fields are going through hell: no food, no medication, no water, and life has been so deplorable for them”, she said.
“Therefore, let me use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government, international community, the multinationals in Rivers State and the Diaspora, as well as local and international business gurus to come to the aid of the people of Ahoada East Local Government Area by donating funds and or provide relief materials for the people. I join my kinsmen to sympathise with those who have lost their children and loved ones”, she said.
It was learnt that the song maker was working out modalities to send some relief materials to the flood victims across the state.

By: King Onunwor