Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said that nobody can rename any part of Rivers State.<\/p>\n
Wike spoke while making veiled reference to the nefarious activities of the disbanded Indigeneous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).<\/p>\n
Wike earlier went tough against the group\u2019s hoisting of its flag in some communities in Oyigbo and their attempt to change the name of the area to Obigbo.<\/p>\n
The governor spoke on Friday when he received a delegation of Tiv people living in Rivers State under the aegis of Mdzough U. Tiv led by Caleb Yashi to Government House, Port Harcourt.<\/p>\n
The leadership of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation worldwide also accompanied the delegation of the TiV people.<\/p>\n
The governor noted that the Tiv people had not caused any problem for the state government and urged them to continue to live peacefully with people of their host communities.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIn this state, you have not made any problem here. We know that the Tiv people are warriors, and very strong. But this is not the period of war. It is time of peace when everybody has to live together.<\/p>\n
\u201cRivers State is a place that is very accommodating. We accept everybody to stay with us peacefully. It is only those who want to rename Rivers State that I have said, I will not agree.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody can rename Rivers State. As per living peacefully, we have good relationship with all ethnic nationalities that live in Rivers State.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the age-long relationship between the people of Tiv ethnic nationality and the state emboldened them to support each other when the Benue massacre happened.<\/p>\n
The governor said he visited the area to offer goodwill and supports to the Benue State Government during massacre of Tiv farmers by herdsmen in that State.<\/p>\n
Wike said people of both states also bear similar weight of marginalisation meted against minority tribes in the country, harping on the need for restructuring.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI felt that what affects you also affects us. So, when that massacre took place in TiV land, we believed that anybody in TiV land that dies, an Ikwerre person will have to commiserate with that particular family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was why we decided to go and see my colleague and friend the governor. Whatever we did that time, we believed it was because of the strong tie we have together.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what my colleague, the current governor passed through. I thank God that Benue people rallied round him to give him the necessary support.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, if you look back and remember what happened that period, you\u2019ll know that there is no way you\u2019ll not constantly say that this is the time to restructure this country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Addressing the leadership of Ogbakor Ikwerre cultural Organisation Worldwide, Wike urged them to continue to ensure that Ikwerre people worked together always.<\/p>\n
Wike said contract for the dualisation of the Eastern Bypass Road had been awarded as part of the urban renewal programme.<\/p>\n
He said it behooved on the people of Ogbunuabali Community to allow the work to extend to their road because of itsoverall benefits.<\/p>\n
He said that there was already resistance from the community, and called on the leadership of Ogbakor Ikwerre to talk to them to accept the development.<\/p>\n
Wike also said that the nearby swamp would be sandfilled to provide a space for the people of Nkpogu community to have their social activities.<\/p>\n
In his remarks, Leader of the Tiv delegation, Caleb Yashi said the Ikwerre and the TiV people shared common friendship for years.<\/p>\n
He said the relationship started when Wike was elected Deputy National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) with a Benue man as the President then.<\/p>\n
They also noted that the Tiv people were allowed to display their dance during Ogbakor Ikwerre day adding that Wike showed enormous love when he visited Governor Samuel Ortom to commiserate with him when herdsmen killed Benue farmers.<\/p>\n
They also appealed to be considered for partnership when the Rivers Cassava Processing Company begins full operation.<\/p>\n
On his part, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Orgsnisation worldwide, Prof. Emeka Wami said they led the TiV people to meet Wike because they considered him a strong voice championing the cause of the minorities in Nigeria.<\/p>\n
He particularly commended Governor Wike for the manner he handled the crisis that erupted in Oyigbo Local Government, saying it was in the best interest of the state and the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said that nobody can rename any part of Rivers State. Wike spoke while making veiled reference to the nefarious activities of the disbanded Indigeneous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). Wike earlier went tough against the group\u2019s hoisting of its flag in some communities in Oyigbo and their attempt to change […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":130014,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[110,15,2,4],"tags":[21316,25492,124],"yoast_head":"\n