Rivers
Group Promises To Champion Unity, Peace, Development Of Okrika
A socio-cultural organisation in Rivers State, “Wakrike National Congress” (WNC), has pledged to champion the unity, peace and development of the Okrika nation.
The congress said this in a pre-inaugural press briefing in Port Harcourt recently.
The text for the briefing, which was read by the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of the Congress, Barrister Tamuno Williams, on behalf of the President, Wakrike, USA, Solomon David, said the body, which took three years to evolve, will also look into some problems affecting the Okrika nation .
He listed some of these problems as environmental pollution, youth unemployment, and the high level of illiteracy among Okrika youths.
The organisation said it will also bring back the lost glory of the Okrika nation.
“Gentlemen of the press, it is pertinent to underscore the vision and mission of this organisation: recognising our heritage as a people, the legacies of our forebears and our unique evolution and history.
“The Wakrike people from time immemorial have been the beacon of progress, development and prosperity among the comity of nations in our dear Rivers State.
“As Wakrike people, we recall with pride and sweet memories the pivotal role played by our forebears in the struggle towards the creation of Rivers State and its nurturing to the attainment of its stardom as the ‘Treasure Base of Nigeria’”.
The group said, despite these achievements, the “walls sustaining our heritage were broken down and everything appeared lost, except our unique will and God-given spirit of never giving up”.
The congress said time has come for the Okrikans, whereever they are, to be united.
“As a people, we must become united, we must fight for the education of our people, we must take steps to protect our environment and ecosystem, we must ensure that our kings and traditional institutions are respected and given a pride of place, our youths and women shall be repositioned to play critical roles God and humanity have bestowed upon them”, they said.
Meanwhile, the inauguration of the congress was held last Friday, with an inaugural lecture titled, “Wakrike Culture, Nationalism and Prosperity: Rebuilding the Broken Walls of Unity for Politico-Economic Renaissance”, delivered by Professor Ibibia Lucky Paul-Worika at Ogu Town in Ogu /Bolo Local Government Area.