Ibori, Prosecuted By Jonathan’s Govt Bags Another Chieftaincy Title From Ijaw Land

Former Delta state Governor, Chief James Ibori who was prosecuted for money laundering during the administration of ex-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has been honoured again with a chieftaincy title by Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta state.

BigPen Online reports that this is coming barely two weeks ago after he bag a similar honour from the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom in Patani local government area of Delta State, HRM Erebelu Shedrack, Aduwo III, to mark his coronation anniversary.

Ibori was conferred with the title, Tiemwei (Pillar), alongside Bayelsa State Governor, Alaowei Seriake Dickson at that occasion.

The former Governor who was reportedly ‘tormented’ by Jonathan’s administration before he fled the country and got jailed for corruption related offences in the United Kingdom, built the multi million naira Patani and Bomadi bridge which linked many communities in Ijaw land while he held sway as governor.

The chieftaincy title given to him by the Ijaw speaking kinsmen of former President Jonathan were in recognition of his numerous contribution to Ijaw land, particularly the construction of the Bomadi bridge.

The Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, HRM Pere S.P. Luke-Kalanama VIII who conferred the title of Izonfinowei of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom on Ibori during his 20th Coronation Anniversary Celebrations, also presented award of excellence to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Chief Ibori and Rear Admiral F.F. Ogu, an illustrious son of the kingdom.

Speaking during the event, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, called on traditional rulers and other wealthy Nigerians to establish educational endowment funds and scholarship schemes to cater for the educational development of the less privileged and vulnerable people in the society.

Governor Okowa said that the state government is doing a lot to bring quality education to deltans, stressing that wealthy nigerians should partner with government on the education of the less privileged in the society.

“I want to urge as many Deltans as possible to continue to support our children because there are a lot of them who will want to improve on their knowledge, but the very harsh economic conditions do not provide them that opportunity to educate themselves.

“So for everyone particularly our traditional rulers that do assist the less privileged to obtain knowledge; of course there is a lot blessings that comes to that kingdom with the gesture from the traditional institution.”, Senator Okowa said.

He commended the traditional rulers of Akugbene- Mein for the scholarship scheme, stating “I am truly very happy for the bursary that you (HRM Pere S.P. Luke-Kalanama VIII), started in 2012.

“I pray that God will empower you, because there can be no better development than giving education and the right to knowledge to your people. I also want to make this pledge that the Delta State Government will support your bursary scheme annually in the course of my tenure as Governor.”,

Dr Okowa commended former Governor James Ibori for laying the foundation for development in the state especially the construction the Bomadi bridge across the Forcados river.

“I must thank our leader, former Governor James Ibori, who because he is a courageous and bold man he took on a project at that time that was nearly impossible for state governments to undertake, the building of the bridge across the Forcados river. It is a thing of joy today that we were able to drive to your kingdom. It is a thing of joy that will ever remain in the hearts of all persons from Akugbene Mein Kingdom.” he said

Governor Okowa congratulated the Pere for the peace and development in his kingdom and called on his subjects to continue to support him for more developmental success.

The chairman of the occasion and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, in a brief address, called on traditional rulers to sensitise their subjects on voters registration to enable them vote for leaders of their choice.

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