● Describes the late king as a strong character;
● Asks kingmakers to submit name of Apiti’s successor within two weeks
By PHC Telegraph
“He brought recognition to Rumueme kingdom”, Governor Nyesom Wike said of the late Apiti of Rumueme, Eze Omunakwe Nsirim. Wike was speaking at the weekend at the burial of the monarch whose political activism brought his community to the limelight.
Nsirim popularly known as OCC was one of the leading lights of the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, in the hey days of the old Rivers State who worked closely with late Chief Melford Okilo, the State’s first civilian governor.
“Whether you like it or not, he brought you recognition”, the Governor continued in an emotion laddened voice, “There was a time in this local government, nobody could talk about Rumueme.”
Wike, a beneficiary of the late Nyenwe Eli’s kindness and support, recalled that prior to OCC’s spirited struggle, even the fight for a Rumueme man to emerge as “a councillor was a problem.”
“I know when we decided that a Rumueme man should be chairman of local government, it was a problem.
“But some of us stood firm and said 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 government.
“That was what led to two Rumueme sons becoming chairmen of Obio-Akpor; Dr Amadi and Timothy Nsirim. He was alive when his son became chairman of the local government he fought for”, Governor Wike explained.
Wike who described the late Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim as an ardent defender of Rumueme’s interest, noted that prior to his recognition by the Rivers State government as a first class traditional ruler, the community never had a third class king.
Explaining why the late Apiti was accorded a state burial, the governor emphasised, “Late Nsirim had contributed so much as far as Rivers State is concerned.
“Late Nsirim had contributed to the political development of this State and persons in this state. One of them is me standing before you. And so, he deserves to have a state burial.”
Governor Wike said the late monarch was a man of strong character who was highly opinionated and because of this, those who were unable to cultivate close ties with him often misconstrued his actions and disposition.
“Strong men are not liked easily, strong characters are not liked easily, those who are not yes members are not liked easily. Those who are highly opinionated, those who can say their mind for what is right are not easily liked, and that is the person you are seeing here.”
The governor asked the kingmakers and Rumueme’s ruling houses to present a successor to the late king within two weeks.
He urged the Rumueme community to select a successor quickly and peacefully, saying that the Rivers State Government would be waiting to receive the name of the next occupant of the throne.
In his sermon, the Rector St. John’s Anglican Church, Venerable Gabriel S.B. Omoleye, who spoke on theme; ” A time for everything and purpose” admonished the congregation to conduct their life in manners that pleases God.
Venerable Omoleye declared that anyone who is unable to fulfil God’s purpose for his life, will in the end be reckoned as someone who wasted his time here on earth.
Dignitaries present at the funeral service included the governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi; the wife of the 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; and Senator John Azuta-Mbata.