EKPEYE WILL SOON RETURN TO ITS GLORY AND PEOPLE WILL GATHER IN LOVE AND PEACE - SAYS HOPE IKIRIKO
***As Igbu Upata Kingdom Marks 2023 Upata Wrestling Festival
The Executive Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. (Evang) Hope O. Ikiriko FCNA, FNES, DSSRS, Ph.D., on Monday, 10th July 2023, said that Ekpeye will soon return to it's glory and people will gather in love and peace. The Chairman made this known at the opening ceremony of Upata Wrestling Festival at Edeoha Town, the ancestoral home of Igbu Upata Kingdom.
The wrestling festival that marks the opening ceremony of Igbu Upata Kingdom 2023 traditional wrestling Season featured several great wrestlers in Igbuduya, Upata Kingdom, and other kingdoms across Ekpeye ethnic nationality.
In his solidarity speech, Hon. Hope Ikiriko took a swipe and challenged all the restive youths within and around Ekpeye ethnic nationality to toll the path of peace, and take advantage of this opportunity to drop their weapons and embrace peace and avoid the eminent wrath of the law.
The Chairman further advised the general public to take the message of peace to our restive brothers wherever they are while also warning the general public on the dangers of aiding them with information. He emphasized that if they genuinely repent and surrender for this second window of opportunity, they would be re-admitted into the society and allowed to move freely and enjoy the same privileges of a peaceful coexistence as every other normal citizen.
The Chairman further stressed that, he has been working in synergy with his Ahoada East counterpart, Hon. Barr. Benjamin Eke and with the security agency, and that if anybody is in doubt that the two Council Chairmen are not in support of the struggle for peace, such person should have a rethink.
He, therefore, declares total support for the security and peace of Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality as championed by the current security architecture of government in Ekpeye.
The Chairman thanked the King of Upata Kingdom, the people, and especially the youths, for embracing the wrestling festival in sustenance of the cultural heritage of the Kingdom and Ekpeye ethnic nation at large.
Earlier, the Nye Udu Upata III of Upata Kingdom, HRM Nye Udu Felix Enene Otuwarikpo, Fnipr has reiterated his commitment for the development of Upata Kingdom and also called on all sons and daughters of Upata Kingdom to support the traditional institution in other to drive the vision of Upata as well as maintain the existing peace and development of the Kingdom.
The highlight of the event was the decoration of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Hope Ikiriko, who is also the special Guest of Honour. Others who were also decorated by the Upata King were; His Majesty Eze Hon. Okpokiri A. Maxwell JP, Eze Igbu Ubie IV, Ahoada Area Commander, the DPO; Angbashim Bako and few others.
The Chairman was accompanied by the Vice Chairman of the council, Hon. Mrs. Ubile Jack, Chief Of Staff; Hon. Iyeumame Osungwo, Supervisor For Works; Hon. Lamege Okwazi, Supervisor For Budget and Procurement; Hon. Udo Sampson Egbuluka and Hon. Madu Dab Madueke; Supervisor For Information, Media And Communication as well as Secretary of PDP in Ahoada West and other Aides.
Other dignitaries at the event include, Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Political office holders, Captains of Industries, Wrestling champions, commanders and spectators.
Press Unit, Awelga.
#HopeForAwelga #TheNarrativeChanger #HopeAlive
10th July, 2023.
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