What Odili said about Apiti of Rumueme, Governor Nyesom Wike, Sim Fubara 

The Apiti of Rumueme, Nyenwe – Eli Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim was buried Saturday at his hometown at the tail end of a three-day activity which marked the celebration of his life and times.

His burial sponsored by the State was attended by past and present Governors, Government officials, politicians, party leaders and captains of industry who came to pay their last respect.

One of such dignitaries who paid tribute to the late king was the former Governor of Rivers State Dr Peter Odili who was accompanied by his wife, retired Justice Mary Odili, JSC.

Within Rivers State, as the news of the state burial accorded the late monarch spreads, what Dr Odili said at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre on Thursday has continued to resonate among the people.

Odili, who has kept a low profile and continued to play the role of a father of the State since he left office, revealed something many leaders in the State are unaware of.

He said that unknown to many, Nyenwe-Eli Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim was one of those prominent leaders who funded political processes that laid a solid foundation for the democracy Nigerians are enjoying today.

“Rivers State has lost one of her greatest”, Dr Odili said while paying tribute to the departed monarch.

“The void he is leaving”, Odili went on, “cannot be filled because he is probably the last standing founding icon of our dear State.”

“But for the family, be consoled that you had a royal father that was second to none”, the former Governor who ruled the State for eight years added.

Before the Apiti of Rumueme took backstage and turned attention to managing the affairs of Rumueme, he was among major players from the Rivers State who were in the forefront of politics.

Odili equally seized the opportunity to address recent events, saying Governor Wike deserved serious commendation over the emergence of Sir Fubara as the governor-elect of Rivers State.

He appealed to the governor to help Fubara, a seasoned technocrat, to navigate the learning curve of Nigeria’s politics.

“I have no doubt you will stand with him day and night, and by the special grace of God, he will take Rivers State to greater height.”

Also speaking during the  night of tributes held in memory of the Apiti of Rumueme, Wike remarked: “I am emotionally touched because he supported me in 1999, when nobody thought anybody from my community will be something.

“He stood firm for me to be chairman of Obio-Akpor. I had nobody, but he stood firm and I became chairman. And that is how I grew to be where I am today.”

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Addressing the audience, Wike stated, “There is nothing I will do today that I will say I have done enough for the contribution of this man to my life, to this State.”

The Rivers Governor said the late Nyenwe-Eli was one of the most venerated Rivers leaders, whose legacy, the State at large, will always remember.

The governor said he was honoured and blessed to have known Nyenwe-Eli Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim, whom he described as a man of character and integrity.

He said given all the years that he was closely acquainted with the monarch, he was deeply saddened by his demise.

Governor Wike declared that he remains grateful to the Apiti of Rumueme because of the monarch’s tremendous contribution to his political growth, particularly at a time when his community Rumueprikom could not be reckoned with politically in Obio-Akpor.

He therefore urged the monarch’s children to emulate the virtues of their father, particularly the resolve he had in bettering the lives of his people.

“I pray all of them who are his children should emulate the life of this man, a giver, a philanthropist. If you have a problem and you go to him, he will solve your problem. it doesn’t matter the divide.”

Giving the vote of thanks, a renowned educationalist  and trustee of the Nigerian Academy of Education, Emeritus Prof. Otonti Amadi Nduka commended Governor Wike and the government of Rivers State for honouring Nyenwe-Eli Omunakwe Nsirim.