“That it is noteworthy to recall that the past administration of Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike completely treated Nkoro Kingdom with morbid ignominy by excluding Nkoro Kingdom in his 8 years administration without any single project, neither was any son or daughter of Nkoro appointed or elected into a position of trust in Rivers State, except for a very short tenured Special Adviser”
A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE NKORO ETHNIC NATIONALITY SUMMIT BY NKORO (KIRIKA) KINGDOM, AT THE NATIONAL UNION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (NULGE) SECRETARIAT, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE ON FRIDAY, 14TH JUNE, 2024.
We, the Alapu, Alapu-Elect, Amaopuseniapu, Kunoseniapu, Wariseniapu, Community Development Committee (CDC), Nkoro Professionals Forum, AmaIriapu, Nkoro Youth Assembly, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Nkoro Clan Chapter, National Union of Nkoro Students (NUNS), men and women, and the entire people of Nkoro Kingdom, after a National Summit, heartily congratulate and rejoice with our amiable and indefatigable Governor, His Excellency Amaopusenibo Sir Siminialayi Fubara GSSRS, and his befitting and deserving Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Professor Ngozi Mma Odu DSSRS, on their landmark, eventful, exciting, amazing, espousing, historic, overwhelming, and people-centered one year in office, despite the disturbing political distractions for 8 months out of the 12 months of your first tenure in government and governance.
The achievements of their administration in the past year are obviously superlative, massive, and have meaningfully impacted the people of Rivers. We therefore say, Wa Govina, Imiego ‘thank you’ for making Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area and the Ijaw nation proud. Nkoro (Kirika) is solidly behind you.
Nkoro (Kirika) is a distinct Ethnic Nationality of the Ijaw nation and not an appendage to any other ethnic groups in Rivers State, in her present geographical location since the 15th century.
Nkoro Clan is made up of two Ijoid languages (Kirika and Defaka), interspersed with villages and hamlets. As a people, we have firmly resolved and unanimously agreed to unequivocally issue this communique:
- That the entire Nkoro Kingdom dissociates herself from the undeserved appearance of a few Nkoro sons in that Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress Forum media address on 1st June, 2024, expressing their support to the former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria. They lack the representative capacity of Nkoro (Kirika) but are on their own frolic and divisive voyage of discoveries and should immediately become penitent, warn and strongly advise themselves on the long-term consequences of their actions, notwithstanding the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association they may enjoy.
2.That it is noteworthy to recall that the past administration of Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike completely treated Nkoro Kingdom with morbid ignominy by excluding Nkoro Kingdom in his 8 years administration without any single project, neither was any son or daughter of Nkoro appointed or elected into a position of trust in Rivers State, except for a very short tenured Special Adviser.
3. That we are Nkoro (Kirika) people and not an improperly so-called “Kala Krike”. It was a vituperative utterance made by the moderator at that Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress Forum media address and should be urgently retracted by the maker of that statement.
4. That the Nkoro (Kirika) language, though mutually intelligible with some riverine languages like Okrika, Kalabari, Bille, and Ibani, does not connote that Nkoro (Kirika) is “Kala” meaning “mini or small” Kingdom to any one of the above kingdoms.
5. That never again should the platform of Rivers Ijaw People Congress Forum be used as a veritable tool or avenue to rain any form of insult, denigration, or abuse on the sacrosanctity of our peaceful, lovely, and highly revered ancient Nkoro (Kirika) kingdom.
6. That we, the people of Nkoro Kingdom, absolutely believe in one indivisible and indissoluble Rivers State and in one elected Executive Governor in the person of His Excellency, Amaopusenibo Sir Siminialayi Joseph Fubara, GSSRS and pursuant to sections 5(7)(2)(a) and 176(1) and (2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. That there can be only one governor of a state at any given time.
7. That all Nkoro sons and daughters, as a matter of priority, should stand, work, and walk with our notable Ijaw son and dear governor throughout his tenures up to 2031, when the brick house may become vacant, pursuant to section 180(1)(a) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
8. That we are grateful to the governor for connecting us to the national grid, provision of community solar lights, and appointment of an Nkoro daughter as a Special Adviser and with more so to come. Hitherto, Nkoro Kingdom had been a darkness-infested and sleepy domain due to the absence of power or electricity.
9. That we heartily congratulate our son Rt. Honourable Orubienimegha Timothy for being elected as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly and his emergence as the Deputy Speaker of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly. We equally congratulate the Speaker of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Victor Oko-Jumbo. We also congratulate Honourable Sokari Goodboy, the Leader of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Rivers State Government House, Rt. Honourable Barrister Edison Ehie, for your doggedness and relentless stance and efforts to stand with the people’s governor in defense of democracy and good governance in your own fatherland, Rivers State.
10. We also seize this medium to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the National Leadership and Father of the Ijaw Nation, Pa Edwin Kiogbodo Clark, the National President and other Leaders of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the National President and other Leaders of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC).
11. We must not also forget to thank all the other ethnic groups and non-indigenes living and doing business in Rivers State for their overwhelming support to the Governor, His Excellency Amaopusenibo Sir Siminialayi Fubara GSSRS.
In conclusion, we categorically state our undiluted and unalloyed support to our amiable Executive Governor, Amaopusenibo Sir Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, and his government.
This communique issued by Nkoro Kingdom is solemn and irrevocable.
Long live Nkoro (Kirika) kingdom
Long live Ijaw nation
Long live Rivers State
Signed:
Alabo Richard Nyako
Head Nyako War Canoe House
Alabo Philip I. T Bara
Head Bara War Canoe House
Alabo Wilson R. O. Osokor
Head Osokor War Canoe House
Alabo Elect Engr Edward Namiesimagha Otuburu
Head, Otuburu War Canoe House
Ama-Opu-Senibo Patrick Alapuberesika
Chairman Nkoro Council of Amaopuseniapu
Warisenibo Erasmus D. Orans
Chairman CDC, Nkoro
Ms. Salome Idatoru
President, Nkoro Women Association
Hon, Tamunotonye Solomon
President Nkoro Youth Assembly
Hon, Comr Tamuno Kpokpo
Chairman Eastern Zone IYC
Comr. Idatoru Amaibibo Lydia
President National Union of Nkoro Students
Barr. John T. Apaibinyesim
Representative of Nkoro Professional Forum
Ama-Opu-Senibo (Elder) Calvin I. Alagoa
Opu Da’a of the Royal House of Nkoro Kingdom