WHAT OKPE LEADERS PLAN TO DO IN LAGOS MAY 18TH

· ADDRESS FACTORS RETARDING PROGRESS OF NIGERIA

· SET DELTA STATE ON POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHWAY

· SHOWCASE THE RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY OF OKPE CULTURAL PRACTISE TO THE WORLD

· FIND SOLUTIONS TO LEGIONS OF PROBLEMS FACING OKPE KINGDOM

By Ifeoma Ikem

Royalty, top government functionaries and business moguls will attend the 94th Okpe Union Anniversary on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Lagos.

” The Okpe Union Day is the most significant celebration in Okpe culture. It brings together traditional rulers, top government officials, business moguls and cultural groups “a statement by the General Secretary of Okpe Union, Barrister Kingsley Akpederin and Okpe Union 94th Anniversary Committee Chairman, Mr Patrick Akpotor, said Monday morning.

“This year’s Okpe Union Day will take place in Lagos. The purpose of this day is to spread knowledge about Okpe culture, prevent the extinction of Okpe language and showcase the richness and diversity of Okpe cultural practise to the world. It is also a special day to reflect, set goals and consider how we want to achieve them”

The statement underscored the Okpe Union’s agenda to combat developmental challenges in Delta State.

‘’Okpe leaders plan to find solutions to the legions of problems facing Okpe Kingdom, examine the slow pace of development of Okpe kingdom, set Delta State on the highway of political and economic development and address factors retarding the progress of Nigeria in this year’s meeting’’.

The Union also emphasised its commitment to initiatives that promote Okpe cultural education and awareness.

“Okpe Union Day is a unique celebration because it is a celebration of our identity as a nation, a day of keeping Okpe tradition alive, a day of union and it’s a day of enlightenment, business and industry networking “

The statement shed light on Okpe music, art, food, films, literature and dance.

‘’We hope that through Okpe Union Day, the world will come to understand more about Okpe Kingdom, our history, cultural diversity and creativity’’.

“There will be prayers, live performance, President General’s Address, music, dance, storytelling, lecture and eating” the statement added.

*Enemi George’s Misguided Loyalty*

By Charles Ibekwe

It’s no stranger news that the political landscape of Rivers State has been abuzz with the intense power struggle between the loyalists of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor, and the incumbent Governor Sim Fubara. In a recent development, Hon. Enemi Alabo George, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has launched a scathing attack on Governor Fubara via his official Facebook account. George’s outburst stems from claims that the Governor intends to demolish the Rivers legislative residential quarters, and further ending his online rants with a disgustingly laughable action, by name-calling the Governor,” A small man”.

However, it’s essential to scrutinize the motivations behind George’s fiery rhetoric. First of all, a stranger to the politics of Rivers state would have definitely not heard of a name called Enemi, let alone Alabo. To such person, Enemi Alabo is a nobody in comparison to the personality of Governor Fubara. Giving him a doubt of an existence in River State political landscape, most persons like myself would regard him as a political watch-dog, and nothing more. Enemi George is just running a patched up political career which is on life-support at the moment.

It’s unfortunate that George’s loyalty to former Governor Wike has clouded his judgment, leading him to join the chorus of detractors hell-bent on destabilizing the Fubara administration. This conflict can be likened to a deficiency in the politics of identity, where personal interests and loyalty are prioritized over the greater good of the people.

It Is essential to understand the context in which Enemi Alabo George’s criticism of Governor Fubara arises. Setting the record straight, Enemi Alabo George’s track record is one that’s marred by serial election rigging, and his current woes are a direct result of his miscalculated defection to another party, which led to the loss of his seat. Enemi is a rabid dog on the loose, and It’s apparent that he’s playing a bitter political game against Governor Fubara, driven by his loyalty to Wike and a desire for revenge. His actions reek of desperation, as he attempts to tarnish the Governor’s reputation and create chaos in the political landscape just for a cheap score, a clear case of sour grapes. It is plausible to argue that his bitter attack on Governor Fubara stems from his personal frustrations and political setbacks.

Governor Fubara, however, has shown no room for intimidation and continues to prioritize the betterment of the state. He remains focused on his mission, and undeterred by the cacophony of detractors like Enemi George. Regardless of the number of detractors against him, his vision for a prosperous Rivers State is evident in his policies and initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and the overall quality of life for the citizens. His commitment to good governance and inclusive leadership is a beacon of hope for the people of Rivers State, who have suffered under the yoke of political manipulation and oppression for far too long, and he refuses to be swayed by the intimidation tactics employed by George and his cohorts.

The reality people like Enemi fails to acknowledge is that, their relevance only exist in their handlers short memories. They become obsolete after the moment they’ve served their godfather’s profitable selfish visions, and missions. They keep hoping on a short-lived promise of a safe haven which mostly turns into a despicable reality of rejection, then they further become depressed, and resolve to begging for the littlest political relevance at the long run. They end up becoming useless to themselves, their family, their society, and their country.

It is very visible to the blind that George’s attack on Governor Fubara is a clear attempt to cause a distraction from his own political woes and shifting the focus away from his electoral malfeasance. His loyalty to Wike has clouded his judgment, leading him to prioritize personal interests over the greater good of the people of Rivers State.

Enemi George would do well to remember that his utterances against Governor Fubara come with consequences. As a public figure, he has a responsibility to uphold the dignity of his office and refrain from spreading hate and misinformation. His actions only serve to further polarize the political landscape, perpetuating the very divisions he claims to want to bridge.

It’s high time for George to reevaluate his priorities and recognize the greater good of the people of Rivers State. Governor Fubara’s administration is working tirelessly to address the pressing issues facing the state, from infrastructure development to education and healthcare reform. Instead of obstruction and criticism, George should make himself useful by working constructively with the governor to find solutions that benefit all Rivers State citizens.

The politics of identity must not be allowed to dictate the trajectory of Rivers State’s progress. Enemi George’s misguided loyalty to Wike must not be permitted to hijack the democratic process and undermine the will of the people. Governor Fubara’s commitment to good governance and inclusive leadership remains a beacon of hope that Rivers State needs, and we must all support him in this noble endeavor.

Instead of engaging in bitter politics, it is paramount for all stakeholders to work together towards a common goal – the progress and prosperity of Rivers State. Only through unity and constructive dialogue can the state overcome its challenges and thrive. Instead of being an educated illiterate who resonates with the bane of corruption, George should do well to reevaluate his priorities and recognize the greater good of the people, rather than perpetuating the divisive politics of a wrong political loyalists.

Let us reject the divisive politics of Enemi George and his ilk, and instead embrace a future built on unity, progress, and the collective well-being of all Rivers State citizens. The time for change is now, and we must seize it with both hands. We must all rise up to the right for good governance.

Ibekwe is a public affairs commentator writing from Port Harcourt.

*Zacchaeus Adangor and matters arising in Rivers state*

By Sunday Thomas

The immediate past commissioner for justice and special duties in Rivers state, Prof Zaccheus Adangor, is a learned silk. He has years of law experience, earning him the notable rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The implication is that Prof Zaccheus Adangor should always rise above pettiness and stand on the side of the truth because he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
The recent interview he granted on television was about why he resigned from his appointment with the Rivers State Executive Council. His position was ludicrous. I watched in disbelief how the Senior Advocate of Nigeria tried to twist the issues and stroke a chord that won’t sound well on the happenings in Rivers State.

During the interview, he also ruminated on his words to see if they were adding up. I thought I was the only one that noticed until a friend called my attention to it. It was a shame for Rivers people, and I kept wondering why Zaccheus Adangor and his paymasters wouldn’t allow peace to reign in Rivers state.
The highlight of his diatribe during the interview was the insinuation that the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, wanted him to institute legal action against the 8-point Presidential Proclamation on the political disagreement in the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It sounded like tales by moonlight. I had to adjust my seating position to be sure I was not dreaming. Here is my take. The crux of the political crisis in Rivers State is well-known to discerning minds. It is the fight between the interest of a select few and the interest of the generality of Rivers people. The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, is on the side of the people, while Zaccheus Adangor and his patrons are on the other side. It is that simple, and let’s make no mistakes about it.
Therefore, the appearance of the former commissioner could have been better conceived. It was a political strategy to rubbish the efforts of the governor of Rivers State in the implementation of the peace accord initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It didn’t end there. The insinuation that the reason for his resignation was his refusal to institute legal action against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the governor’s instructions was a joke taken too far.
The truth remains that his resignation was because he was redeployed. His redeployment was in order because of his disloyalty to the governor. As a professor of law and a senior advocate of Nigeria, he ought to have acted civilly and respectably. It is common sense that his loyalty was expressly to the state governor and not to a political godfather somewhere. But common sense is not common, and he resigned.
Now that he has resigned, he has assumed another responsibility. The responsibility to make public appearances on behalf of his disgruntled principal who won’t allow peace to reign in Rivers state. And the appearance on channels television is the beginning of a new vocation for the law professor.
There is more than meets the eye in Rivers State. It is obvious that the forces against the state’s interest are unrelenting in their wild goose chase for control of the state. I wonder if they have not realized that their actions have turned the state into comedy. If that is not the case, what else? It was a situation where a commissioner resigned, and the best he could do was spread lies about why and whatnot.
This is what the learned Zaccheus Adangor has been propagating. Not minding the implications of his actions. I haven’t seen such audacity anywhere. The audacity of a commissioner to dictate to the governor of a state. The audacity of a commissioner to reject redeployment. This can only happen in Rivers State.
It is instructive to state that the likes of Zaccheus Adangor were positioned in the Rivers state executive council to undermine the governor on behalf of the former governor. And he did that numerous times. As a fact, he openly admitted that while he was a member of the Rivers state executive council, he was not loyal to the governor but to the former governor.
This is what happens when people get blinded by selfish ambitions. As a law professor, he must stand on equity, fairness and justice, not vice versa. By his actions, he has brought disrepute to the legal profession. This is a shame and why Nigerians should not take him seriously.
His diatribe against the governor of Rivers State is noted. But it can’t change that this is a fight to control the state’s resources. There is an executive governor of the state. His name is Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution stipulates an executive governor’s powers and responsibilities.
I wish to state that no amount of blackmail or intimidation can deter the governor from carrying out his roles and responsibilities as the executive governor of Rivers State. This much Professor Zacchaeus Adangor and his co-travellers must come to terms with and give peace a chance in Rivers state.

Thomas wrote this piece from Lagos.