Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has urged the kingmakers and those entitled to the vacant stool in Rumueme community, Obio-Akpor Local Council of the State to ensure peaceful coexistence
Wike told the Rumueme community leaders to in two weeks submit to the state government the name of the successor of the late Apiti of Rumueme, His Royal Majesty, Nyenwe Eli, Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim, who was buried, yesterday.
Wike gave the charge during the funeral service of the late Apiti of Rumueme, His Royal Majesty, Nyenwe Eli, Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim at St. John’s Anglican Church, Rumueme. He said Rumueme people should be happy that the monarch’s political activism brought the community to political limelight.
“He brought recognition to Rumueme Kingdom. Whether you like it or not, he brought you recognition. There was a time in this council; nobody could talk about Rumueme, even to come out, as a councillor was a problem.
“I know when we decided that a Rumueme man should be chairman of the council, it was a problem. But some of us stood firm to say we can’t continue this way. This man has fought, he was one of those who stood firm and fought for the creation of Obio-Akpor Local Council.
“That was what led to two Rumueme sons becoming Chairmen of Obio-Akpor; Dr Amadi and Timothy Nsirim. He was alive when his sons became chairmen of the council he fought for.”
Wike, who described the late Nyenwe Eli, Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim as an ardent defender of Rumueme’s interest, noted that prior his recognition by the Rivers State government as a first class traditional ruler, the community never had even a third class king.
The governor explained that the government decided to honour the Apiti of Rumueme with a state burial in recognition of his immense contributions to the socio-political development of Rivers State.
Wike said the late monarch was a man of strong character and highly opinionated and because of this, those who were unable to forge intimacy with him had often misconstrued his actions and disposition.
In his sermon, the Rector, St. John’s Anglican Church, Venerable Gabriel S.B. Omoleye, who preached on the topic; “A time for everything and purpose” admonished the congregation to conduct their life in manners that pleased God.
Omoleye declared that anyone who is unable to fulfill God’s purpose for his life would in the end be reckoned as someone who wasted his time on earth.
Dignitaries present at the funeral service were the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi; the wife of Rivers State Governor, Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike; former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, his wife, Justice Mary Odili; Rivers State Governor-elect, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu; former Senate President, Senator John Azuta-Mbata.
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Chibuzor Amadi; the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani; National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-south, Chief Dan Orbih; Rivers State Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Desmond Akawor among other dignitaries.
