Fubara: I’m a full-blooded, up to my bones, an Ijaw man
Governor Siminalayi Fubara flanked by the Regent of Kalabari Kingdom, Dr Charles Numbere and SSG, Dr. Tammy Danagogo during the visit of Kalabari Se Kobiri at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
…Commiserates Kalabari people on the death of Amanyanabo
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has said those who exclude his Opobo people from being part of the Ijaw ethnic nationality are not conversant with the history of the Niger Delta region.
The Rivers State Governor said this while dismissing insinuations that he is not of Ijaw ethnic nationality when he met with the Regent, and other representatives of Kalabari Se Kobiri at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.
He said the members of his ethnic nationality, the Opobo people, were part of the struggle that made Ijaw a reputable class of people in the Niger Delta.
“So, whoever is feeding you with that information, should go back to their history classes. You cannot talk about the Ijaw struggle without the Opobo, the Bonny, and the Kalabari.
- Fubara urges NDDC to end duplication of projects in states
- Armed thugs led by police attempted to kill me – Rivers Assembly factional Speaker
- Fubara declares loyalty to Wike, says ‘I never send anybody to malign him’
“We had our trade lines at that time and for you to occupy a trade line, it means you are a true Ijaw man. So, for the records, I am a full-blooded, up to my bones, an Ijaw man.”
Governor Fubara said Ijaw people are bold, courageous and forthright people who, despite being subjected to inhuman treatment, did not succumb to being traded as slaves during the slave trade.
Fubara emphasised that he has one cardinal belief, which is that it is only the will of God that prevails in every circumstance, whether good or bad, winning or failing.
Condoling the Kalabari people over the demise of their monarch, late King Theophilus J.T. Princewill, Governor Fubara assured that the State government will fully participate in the burial activities while urging the people to put their differences aside and work together to give the late king a befitting burial.
In his speech, the regent of the Kalabari kingdom, Dr. Charles Numbere Princewill said they visited to notify the governor that Theophilus J.T. Princewill, Amachree XI, The Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of the Kalabari Kingdom has died and formally invite him to attend the funeral. He thanked the governor for the support already given to them and solicited more.
On his part, Secretary to the Rivers State Government(SSG) Dr Tammy Danagogo said Governor Fubara has shown so much love towards the Kalabari people and committed to giving a befitting burial to their late Amanyanabo.
