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Control Over Chieftaincy Titles Conferment Will Grow Igbo Values -Ohanaeze Ndigbo
Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, National Vice President, Apex Igbo social-cultural group of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, says there is an urgent need to control the manner with which chieftancy titles in Igbo land are conferred.
Okeke-Ogene told The Tide’s source, yesterday, in Awka, that there is need to legally control the spate of awards of traditional institutions in Igbo land.
He said if controlled, the system would ensure that only deserving personalities get rewarded and decorated.
Okeke-Ogene said that such high-profile honours need to be accorded to persons with known and verifiable sources of livelihood and impeccable characters and those who has selflessly served their communities and the state at large.
“Traditional titles are not to be bought with money but earned in every sense of it so as to append true value to the title.
“When titles are conferred meritoriously to people, it preaches message of soundness to the community and promotes cultures of hard work, respect, lessons for younger people to emulate good behaviors.
“If titles are only given to wealthy people, it signals wrong impressions to growing adults that may push them into seeking for wealth by any means just to belong,” he said.
Okeke-Ogene said that restrictions on number of titles to be given and clear cut criteria need to be stated in black and white to guide traditional rulers on what qualifies a recipient.
He called for the training of traditional rulers to get them familiar with current trend of traditional leadership and their roles in nation building as well as to tap quality knowledge from rulers who have spent over 30 years on their thrones.
Okeke-Ogene said Igbo traditional institutions should be cherished and nurtured than been dragged into the mud.
This, he said, will leave a message of discipline, respect to traditional values and good morals to young adults.
He cited “Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, the 20th monarch of Nnewi community who has stayed on his throne for 60 years, saying Orizu had not conferred up to 50 titles which means he takes his time to confer a title so other rulers need to emulate such steps”.
Ogene-Okeke said the suspension of the traditional ruler of Neni Community in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, Igwe Damian Ezeani, is not a political war as is being speculated in media space.
He said that the suspension is in line with the state law because the conferment was done in contradiction with the code of conduct of the traditional institution.
He said the code provides that no traditional ruler should confer a title on anyone outside his community without obtaining permission from the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community.
Okeke-Ogene said a letter signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Collins Nwabunwanne, dated January 8, invoked the state law on Igwe Ezeani.
“I will like to see state laws made effective in all sectors so that the culture of responsibility, good manner and behavior associated with Igbo people will be returned in its fullness,” he said.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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