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Baen Community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday rolled out the drums in a grand reception for the council chairman, Dr. Bariere Thomas, as well as recognition of his “outstanding performance” since assumption of office.
Other sons and daughter of Baen honoured alongside Hon Thomas, for their contributions to societal development, include HRH Mene Daniel F. Nwidag, Chief Engr. Monday Uebari, Elder Lee Kenneth Barineka, Dr. Christian Barisua Yorkina, Sir Rex Eeba Yaakpogoro, Engr. Nwinangh Dumbari Nwikwor and former vice chairman of Khana LGA, Hon. Dr. Leton Ekoro.
The event, according to our reporter, was a roll call of who is who in Khana LGA and Ogoni in general, witnessing the presence of the senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Sen. Barinaadaa Mpigi; member of the House of Representatives for Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Dekor; vice chairman of Khana LGA, Hon. Mrs Nugbenekpughi Ibrahim; Kagote president, Hon. Emmanuel Deeyaa; former Rivers State commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya; former chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Gregory Nwidam; Gbenemene Nyo-Khana Kingdom, HRM King W.Z.P Nziidee; Gbenemene Bangha Kingdom, HRH Mene Suanu T.Y. Baridam; paramount ruler of Baen community, Chief Neeka Nwoke and publisher of National Network Newspaper, Pastor Jerry Needam.
It was a day of glory for the council boss as speaker after speaker took time to eulogize him over his performance in the areas of security and infrastructural development of the LGA.
President of Kagote, Hon Emmanuel Deeyaa, who had earlier described Dr Thomas as a man fit for the job, on Saturday, alongside former Rivers State commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya, commended the peace that is now prevailing in Khana LGA, which they attributed to the tireless efforts of the council chairman, while further describing him as a pride to Ogoni land.
Vice chairman of Baen Community Development Committee (BCDC), Comr. Reginald Nule Gibson Nwiepe, in an address presented on behalf of Baen’s chiefs, elders, women and youths, said the community is proud of their son (Dr Thomas), who they describe as a God-sent leader.
He said Dr Thomas “has made Baen community proud, not simply because he is a chairman, but his sterling qualities, performance and achievements since his emergence has truly redefined governance. And there is no doubt that we are ever ready to support him for more and higher responsibilities, knowing full well that he will not disappoint us.”
Nwiepe said Dr. Thomas is a man “known for huge infrastructural accomplishments, a vision-driven leader who has championed infrastructural and human capital development in Khana Local Government Area. He has restored peace to all the villages of the local government area despite the cultism and criminality that pervaded the entire Ogoni.”
The reception in honour of the council chairman, Dr Bariere Thomas, coincided with a ground breaking ceremony for a proposed cottage hospital in the community.
BCDC’s Nwiepe, while lauding the council chairman’s efforts at combating and achieving drastic reduction in crime rate and cult clashes in the LGA, noted that the community has donated over 2 hectares of land for the building of the cottage hospital.
The senator representing Rivers South East, Senator Barinaadaa Mpigi, and House of Representatives member representing Khana/Gokana, Hon Dumnamene Dekor, commended the council chairman and Baen community for embarking on such a project.
In appreciation of the council and community’s effort, Senator Mpigi said he will take steps towards ensuring the construction of the cottage hospital is captured in the budget.
Leading traditional rulers, top politicians and community people to perform the ground breaking/foundation laying ceremony for the hospital on Saturday, Dr Bariere Thomas said the project is meant to serve the healthcare needs of members of the community.
He thanked the people of Baen for the honour and love shown to him, stressing his commitment to raising the bar in the delivery of socio-economic development for the people of Khana.
Responding on behalf of other awardees, Dr. Christian Barisua Yorkina, expressed appreciation to the community for finding them worthy for the honour, while describing the award as a call to greater service to the community and humanity.
He urged the gathering to imbibe the spirit of giving, adding that those that give are not necessarily the richest in society, but are persons who realize that even “a card of Paracetamol (of N100) can make a difference” in the life of an indigent person.
Chairman of the planning committee, Engr Nwinangh Dumbari Nwikwor, who was also honoured by the community, described Baen’s recognition of the selfless contributions of its deserving sons and daughters as a laudable exercise in community development, adding that this will spur recipients of such honour to do more.
Members of the Central Planning Committee for the event include Engr. D.N. Nwinangh (chairman), Comr. Uebari Deric N.D. (secretary), Comr. Reginald N. Gibson (vice chairman, Baen CDC), Hon. Barineka G. Saarah, Mr. Joseph Lah Leh, Mr. Austine S. Sunday, and Comr. Nanee Johnmulker.
