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•As Journalists task politicians, stakeholders on development of Emohua LGA
Emma Ovundah
Former Minority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Prince Azubuike Odum has declared his interest to contest for the Chairmanship position in Emohua local government area in the forthcoming October 5th, 2024 LGA elections in the state.
This is just as EMOLGA Journalists Association Worldwide (EJA), umbrella body of all practicing Journalists in Emohua local government area has tasked political leaders, politicians and stakeholders in the area to prioritize the development of the area.
Prince Azubuike Odum, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Emohua LGA, made the declaration over the weekend during a brief ceremony in Port Harcourt where he was honoured him with the Distinguished Personality and Accessibility Man of the Year 2024 Award by the EMOLGA Journalists Association Worldwide (EJA).
Odum said he made up his mind to join the Chairmanship race following calls and pleas by various groups in the area on him to contest and become the next Council Chairman to move the LGA to a greater height following his track records.
He thanked the EMOLGA Journalists for finding him worthy of the award and encourage them to always remain professionals in their duties, and continue to promote Emohua LGA and Rivers State through positive reportage.
He lauded the group for championing the cause of development in the LGA, while promising that if elected Chairman of the Council, his administration will prioritize development of the LGA.
He used the medium to urge the people of Emouha LGA and Rivers people in general to continue to support Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration for a better Rivers State.
He advised Rivers people especially youths in Emohua LGA to continuously promote peace in the area, describing peace as a tool for development.
His words, “I sincerely thank the EMOLGA Journalists for finding me worthy of this honour.
“I have been hearing of the selfless and humanitarian works that this organisation is doing in projecting the image of Emohua local government, promoting education and development in the LGA. I have made up my mind to partner with you people and this is because I support your vision. I am pleading with you people not to stop. I urge you to use your pen and keep telling the world that Emohua people are good people.
“I also want to appeal to EMOLGA people especially the youths to join hands together to ensure we enjoy sustainable peace in our LGA.
“Also, I want to use this medium to tell Rivers people to continue to support the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led Rivers State Government. Fubara is one of the best governor Rivers State has ever had. We must all put our hands together to make Rivers State great.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, EMOLGA Journalists Association Worldwide (EJA), Comrade Kennedy Wedeh said the award bestowed on Prince Odum was in recognition of his commitment in rendering selfless and humanitarian services in his Rundele community, in Emohua LGA and beyond.
Comrade Wedeh said, “The aim of this visit is to honour one of our illustrious sons who has in so many occasions distinguished himself and has made Emohua LGA and the Ikwerre ethnic nationality proud in so many ways, with an Excellent Gold Achievers Award, as a Distinguished Personality of the Year 2024.
“This award is in recognition of your extraordinary achievements in community leadership and beyond, as well as your contributions in human capacity/community development, youth empowerment, and your dedication and commitment in reaching out to the needy and the lessed privileged in the society, and changing the narrative of your people for better development through your philanthropic lifestyle.”
The EMOLGA Journalists also regretted the level of underdevelopment in Emohua local government, and called on all political leaders, politicians and stakeholders in Emouha LGA to prioritise the development of the area in all they do.
According to them, “The high level of underdevelopment in our dear Emohua LGA is alarming. We share boundary with the heart of Rivers State and the transport fare is just two hundred (N200) naira to Choba in Obio-Akpor LGA, where we have the University of Port Harcourt.
“We have great leaders and political heavyweights in Rivers State and Nigeria as well who are from Emohua local government area, they are doing extremely well, their voices are heard all over the country and the world, I don’t think they will proud of our dear LGA development-wise outside there.
“We are calling on our leaders, all illustrious sons and daughters of Emohua LGA to despite their political parties, be worried and think of the development of our dear LGA.
“Emohua local government is blessed with numerous natural resources, with oil and gas, and vast land and waters for agriculture, we appealing to our leaders to shun self interest, they should develop the area and also attract investors to our LGA. Emohua must be great.”
The body also called on youths in the area to remain peaceful and law abiding during and after the forthcoming local government elections in October.
In their goodwill messages, former Councillor who represented Odegu Ward 13 at the Emohua 8th Legislative Assembly, Hon. Elechi Nicky Ozioma and the President-elect of Rundele Youth Federation (RYF), Hon. Godwin Omehoma commended the EMOLGA Journalists Association for their selfless and humanitarian service and commitment to ensure Emohua LGA is developed.
They congratulated Hon. Odum on the honour on him, describing award as well deserved.
On his quest to run for the Chairmanship position in the forthcoming Council polls, the duo noted that Emohua LGA being divided into three zones; Ishigbam, the Middle Belt and Emohua zones, the Middle Belt zone comprising Rumuekpe, Rundele, Odegu, Ibaa and Obele Communities have never been Chairman of Emohua Council since 2009, except serving on caretaker capacities.
They called on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and the political leaders of Emohua LGA to give the Middle Belt the privilege to produce the next Council Chairman and maintained that Prince Azubuike Odum is qualified for the job and will deliver if given the mandate.
