Day Royal Fathers Showered Love On Flood Victims

Royal fathers in Rivers State recently visited flood victims’ camps at Ahoada Town, headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area.
The delegation was led by Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja.
Other royal fathers who joined to express their pain and support to the flood victims included, Amanyanabo of Abonnema, Eze Gbaka Gbaka and Amanyanabo of Ogu, among other first class traditional rulers.
As at last week, the flood that affected over four local government areas in the state had begun to recede as experts have warned of impending hardship that may trail the disaster that pulled over 500,000 persons out of their villages, homes and hamlets.
For almost two months the flood ravaged, the victims were accommodated in various camps while the state government donated N1billion to alleviate their plight
Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom and Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King urged the Federal Government to be proactive in its efforts in tackling flooding across the country.
Speaking when he and other members of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers (RSCTRC) visited flood victims’ camps at Ahoada to donate food and medical supplies, King Jaja, said there is need to find a lasting solution to such disasters that dislocate people from their homes and livelihoods.
“I believe if measures were taken, it will prevent the rivers from going over their banks. So there is need to stop this periodic or yearly flooding of our paths and homes,” King Jaja remarked.
He praised the efforts of the state government and other agencies that have since intervened to ameliorate the sufferings of those displaced by the flood.
King Jaja who was visibly moved by the plight of Rivers indigenes who were displaced by the ravaging floods in the past two months said the relief materials were one way they could support and lift their subjects and loved ones out of the hardship that had been inflicted upon them by the disaster.
In his words, “We are here on a mission to see what you have been suffering all this while. We have seen the devastation and we feel we can’t sit idly and watch our people suffer.”
The Rivers State Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council said the pains and shock of the flood were bound to affect food production and health, and expressed fear of the hunger that would trail the situation.
In the light of this, he said the council in addition to food stuffs provided also medical supplies to alleviate the plight of the flood victims.
Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Barrister Ben Eke who spoke on behalf of the three other LGAs’ chairmen thanked King Jaja and the royal fathers for their kind gesture.
He assured them of equitable distribution of the relief materials that included over 100 bags of garri, potatoes, plantain, noodles and medicines.
For his part, Eze Igbu Upata, His Royal Majesty Nye Udu Felix Otuwarikpo, Nye Udu Upata Kingdom, speaking for the traditional rulers in the four Orashi regions, said they were overwhelmed with joy, as the gesture had given them hope.

By: Kevin Nengia