Fubara tasks monarchs to promote peace, avoid division

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has tasked traditional rulers to promote peace, avoid divisions, and refrain from victimizing anyone, especially their opponents in the State.

The Governor urged the royal fathers to work with all sections of their subjects in their domains with a fatherly heart in order to promote peaceful coexistence, harmony, and enduring development.

He also urged them to discard feelings of animosity and resist the inclination to undo anybody for any reason in their domains, but rather courageously carry everybody along with a heart of forgiveness.

The Governor gave the charge while presenting certificates of recognition and staff of office to two first-class traditional rulers in Ikwerre and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the State at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

The first-class traditional rulers are His Majesty, King Marcus Oduma Woyike, Nye Nwe-Ali Elele, Okinali/Elele-Alimini in Ikwerre Local Government Area, and His Majesty, King Ndamzi Nsirim, Nye Nwe-Eli Rumueme Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

He stated that what the government was doing was officially recognizing what their communities had done through the traditional process of selection and installation, adding that the stools were already recognized by law in the State.

The governor urged the two monarchs to see their recognition as an opportunity to play their role in supporting good governance in the State while protecting the interests of their people.

He stressed the need to forgive those who may have offended them in the past and to ensure that all stakeholders are carried along in the scheme of things.

Governor Fubara said, “What we are doing here is just a fulfilment of what is already existing. The stool of Nye Nwe-Ali Elele has already been gazetted and existing. And the process for selection is already done. What we just did here is official government recognition.”

He advised His Majesty, King Marcus Oduma Woyike, Nye Nwe-Ali Elele, Okinali/Elele-Alimini, to work with all stakeholders in the kingdom to ensure peace and security in the communities while urging him to synergize with other traditional rulers in the State to ensure that the State Government succeeds in delivering good governance and protecting the lives and property of the people.

The governor added, “Regarding His Majesty, King Ndamzi Nsirim, fortunately, the stool that you are occupying was also recognized and gazetted by the previous administration. What we are doing here is that after the process of selecting the new head (king), it is the duty of the government to officially give you a letter of recognition and staff of office.

“So, what we are doing is not a new thing or creating a new stool, but recognizing what already exists. (We are only) bringing you into the Council of Traditional Rulers recognized by the government,” he stressed.

He appealed to the monarchs to be fair and just to all and ensure that they always relate with their subjects so that they can better appreciate the people’s needs and work with the Government to address them.

Noting that the positions they occupy should be used to do good and serve the people selflessly, Governor Fubara said, “It is an opportunity that God has created for you. It is not for you to use it to undo your people.”

He noted, “In the process of this selection, you might have had one issue or the other. People might have been against you, but in the end, what is important is that you are there now. Carry everybody along. Have the heart of forgiveness. As a traditional ruler, everybody belongs to you. So, work with them.”

“Let me wish you a successful reign. Let your reign be remembered for good. Let your reign be a testimony that at this particular time that you ascended this throne, it is for a purpose. Rule well, and God will be with you,” he admonished.

He reminded the traditional rulers that the people come first in his administration and assured them of his government’s support to enable them to succeed in carrying out their responsibilities.

The Governor further reminded the monarchs that their recognition has brought them into the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, and advised them to bring their wealth of experience to the service of the State while mobilizing their people to contribute meaningfully to the peace and sustainable development of the State.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Engr Charles Amadi, introduced the two traditional rulers to the Governor for the presentation of their certificates of recognition and staff of office.

He noted that the monarchs had successfully gone through the required traditional selection and installation processes, and have been found worthy to be recognized by the government, and therefore, fitting for staff of office and certificates of recognition.