GOV. FUBARA APPOINTS EZE WODO TO REPLACE OHNA AWUSE

 GOV. FUBARA APPOINTS EZE WODO TO REPLACE OHNA AWUSE 

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has appointed His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo as the new Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.

Eze Wodo is the Eze Oha Apara, Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

His appointment followed the obvious inactivity and the absence of effective leadership of the Council suffered under His Royal Majesty, Ohna Sergeant Awuse.

Governor Fubara made the appointment at a special meeting with members of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The Governor said: "Since I assumed the position of the Governor of your dear State, apart from the session that I attended in your council, I have not had any meeting of this kind with the Royal Fathers.

"And I thought it wise that at this very time, especially because of all the wonderful things that God has been doing for us, that it is proper for me to have an interface with you.

"Our meeting is very simple. I want the council to live up to its responsibility. From my observation, the council is moribund. So, I can feel that the council, for a while now has been very inactive.

"Inactive because, maybe, the Chairman has decided not to be responsible as a Chairman. I think that is the best way to describe it.

"I am not talking about other things that has been happening. But I feel there are responsibilities of the Chairman and so far, I have not felt it and you can also attest to that, that you are not seeing that leadership that you expect.

"I would like to draw your attention to a special insult that was meted to this government. The council produced a calendar for the year of our Lord 2024 and the Governor's picture, the Deputy Governor's picture were not in the calendar.

"I want to ask you, does it show any sign that, that leadership is working with this government? I hope you have a copy of it. Does it show that this your Chairman is working with this government?

"So, I have decided today, we have to move forward. By the special grace of God, the administrative life span of the Chairman is one year which is renewable. But, at this particular time, I have to say that, with the power vested on me, the tenure of Chief Sergeant Awuse has been terminated. 

"So, going forward, there is need to have a leadership that will accommodate everybody and move this council forward. 

"I know a lot of you are very special and dear to me, but at this particular moment there are also some decisions that we need to take to reflect what we want everybody to be part of that we are doing.

"So, let me, before saying other things announce here that the new Chairman from this particular moment will be Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Oha Apara, Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom. 

"He will be the Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and I believe strongly that he is going to do better and accommodate everyone.

"Traditional Rulers are the closest to our locals. If you want peace in the community, we must work with the traditional rulers. 

"And our government is a government that pays serious priority to peace. So, I want everyone of you to ensure that we maintain peace in our localities.

"I won't be surprised if I leave here and I hear that they have taken you to court, or they are going to seal the council. 

"But whatever is what, we must take the decision to show that we are the ones in charge. So, let me first congratulate the new Chairman.

"Let me request from our new Chairman that please, as we leave here, there is every need for you to call for a meeting immediately and commence the process of uniting the council.

"I am not bothered or interested in your political affiliation. But when it comes to issues of the council that will bring you together, your decision should and must flow in the direction of government. 

"If you are doing anything outside, that is your own, but you cannot, I repeat, that when it comes to the issues of the council that government has given you recognition to belong, you go against the government, it's very wrong. 

"You can be in whatever it is, but when it comes to our own interest, you must work with our interest.

"I remembered when we went to Ahoada-East, the Ekpeye land to perform an activity, a former Governor openly threatened one of you and warned that if you try it, I will do this, I will do that. 

"But, I am not going to warn you because you are our fathers. I will appeal to you to please, give us all the necessary support and cooperation so that we can have a united State that everyone of us will be proud of.

"I know that there are somethings the other administration did not do, more especially your vehicles and other few things. 

"Your allowances will be paid before the end of today. But the vehicles, I will commence the process of procuring vehicles for every recognized traditional ruler in our dear State.

"The Chairman, one of your first task is to give us an updated record of First Class, Second Class and Third Class Traditional Rulers in the State. 

"Those of you that are Chairmen, you know that your own are special. I need that record between now and Tuesday next week so that we can commence the process.

"Finally, let me appeal to everyone of us, today is an opportunity that God has provided for Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, tomorrow it can be any other person next time. 

"You need to give him the respect. You need to give him the support to succeed, so that when it comes to your turn, that same measure will be given to you."

In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, the Eze Oha Apara, Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom thanked the governor for the opportunity.

Eze Wodo said he is overwhelmed with joy for the opportunity to serve the State in such capability.

The new chairman pledged that he will foster unity and devote to the assignment given to him.

He also assured of working in synergy with every member of the Council to ensure that there is peace within their various domain.