Governor Siminalayi Fubara (M), former governor, Chief Barr Nyesom Wike (L) & HM, Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse at the event marking Awuse’s 71st birthday in Emohua on Saturday.
Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, new Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs has inducted the former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara as chiefs of the Emohua kingdom.
The Traditional Ruler who celebrated his 71st birthday and enthronement as the Nne-Nwe-Eli Emohua said the gesture was in appreciation of the contributions of the two men to the growth and advancement of the State and Emohua kingdom in particular.
Ohna Awuse expressed gratitude to God for protecting his family and granting him the opportunity to attain the ripe age of 71 years.
He who is the Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology also thanked God for his enthronement as the Nne-Nwe-Eli Emohua XIII (OLO IV) and his appointment as the chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council
You did well for Ikwerre, Wike tells Awuse
Ex-Governor Nyesom Wike extols Ohna Sergeant Awuse, describes him as Ikwerre’s pathfinderResponding, ex-governor Wike said he was happy to be part of the celebration of the Nne-Nwe-Eli, saying Awuse was one of those who actively supported the emergence of Fubara as his successor.
He said the contributions of the newly installed Chairman of the Rivers Council of Traditional Rulers to the political evolution of the Ikwerre nation will remain indelible.
Wike credited Awuse with the eventual emancipation of governors of Ikwerre extraction who have governed the State and congratulated him for being a principled and trust worthy gentleman.
Turning attention to the Rivers Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, Wike urged her not to fall prey to claims by some persons that they anointed her.
He said there was someone who was behind her nomination and advised her to go and thank the person after she thanked God.
Deploy your wealth of experience to the service of Rivers State- Fubara
Governor Siminalayi Fubara (m), flanked by former Governor Nyesom Wike left & Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu at the event to mark the 71st birthday of HM Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, Nne Nwe Eli Emohua XIII at Emohua on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has described traditional rulers as critical stakeholders whose efforts at peace building in their various domains contribute to achieving good governance.
The governor who spoke on Saturday at the 71st birthday celebration and one year of enthronement of His Royal Majesty, Nne-Nwe-Eli Emohua XIII (OLO IV), Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse said his government will work in synergy with traditional rulers as it builds a progressive and prosperous Rivers State.
Ohna Sergeant Awuse salutes the Rivers Governor, Siminalayi FubaraHe urged Awuse to deploy his wealth of experience in administering the Council of Traditional Rulers as its chairman, stressing that it was his expectation that Traditional Ruler would Council provide useful advice that will help the government serve Rivers people better.
Governor Fubara also paid glowing tribute to the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike.
According to him, Wike deserved commendation for driving the New Rivers Vision, practically and structurally, in transforming the State under his watch.
On his part, the immediate past chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amanyanabo of Opobo, Dandeson Douglas-Jaja, Jeki V expressed confidence in the ability of Ohna Awuse to chart a new course for the traditional institution.
Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Awuse: Struggle and Exploits:
For several years, Awuse as a politician championed the quest of the Ikwerre people to occupy Brick House, Port Harcourt.
Under the two party system introduced by the Ibrahim Babangida administration, Serge as he is popularly called emerged as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.
He was however disqualified alongside Chief Zebulon Abule of the National Republican Convention, NRC, by the military in circumstances that many say paved the way for Chief Rufus Ada-George to emerge as the Governor of Rivers State.
Under the PDP, when the last of transition programmes of the military was hatched in 1999, Awuse contested again for the governorship seat.
Again he lost out to Dr Peter Odili after a committee headed by Dr Marshall Harry kicked him out to pave the way for the election of Dr Peter Odili as governor of Rivers State.
It is on record that Awuse represented Rivers State at the Constituent Assembly and became a front line member of the Musa Yar’Adua group which produced Atiku Abubakar and others.
His final attempt at the governorship was under the banner of the ANPP, following his choice as the flagbearer of the ANPP by the RDM, an opposition movement in the State that was opposed to Peter Odili.
Although Awuse never made it to Brick House, his pioneering effort spurred the ethnic Ikwerre on until one of them emerged governor in 2007.
Until Wike stepped aside, the Ikwerres, back to back and with the active support of the political icon, Chief Sergeant Chidi Awuse, governed Rivers State for 16 years.
At 71, Awuse now charts a new course as the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The Port Harcourt Telegraph reports that all the roads in Rivers State led to Emohua on Saturday where Ohna Awuse celebrated his ascension as a traditional ruler and head of the Rivers Council of Traditional Rulers.