Okenyi Kenechi
Determined to ensure that its developmental programme is fully actualized, Igbu Upata Kingdom has commenced the process of reaching out to Nigerian investors and the international community for the purpose of making the kingdom the business hub of Rivers State.
The Eze Igbu Upata III of Upata Kingdom, Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo disclosed this on Tuesday, at his Ihuaba Palace when a team from Daar Communications, owners of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM led by Mrs. Remi Akerele Olu visited him.
He decried the non-challant attitude of the federal government to the sufferings of his people as a result of the ravaging flood that has sacked communities and destroyed farmlands, noting regretfully that “elsewhere in this country when breeze affects a building, the federal government panics but in our case, nothing is being done to assist.
“I want to emphasise that Nigeria is not complete without a section. Our people are suffering and living in shelters, as a result, of the flood. I call on governments to come to our aid.”
Speaking on his people’s quest for human capital development, Eze Otuwarikpo said educational scholarships are being awarded to deserving sons and daughters, with the launch of the Upata Go To School Initiative and One Youth, One Skill programmes aimed at equipping the youths to be self-reliant.
According to Eze Otuwarikpo who is also the Chairman of Ahoada East Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, the first, second and third batch of trainees have graduated and handed starter-packs and the training of the fifth batch is ongoing.
“What drives an economy is when options are carefully selected and the people express willingness and faith to implement such. For us in Upata Kingdom, our option is to drive our economy through micro and small-scale businesses which accounts for why we are focussing on youth empowerment, through self-reliance programmes,” the monarch explained.
He said the new partnership with AIT will add great value to the Upata Kingdom’s developmental efforts, stressing that the “massive investment and self-sustenance drive is meant to give meaning to our people.”
Eze Otuwarikpo, therefore, commended AIT for their focus reportage of events in Nigeria and Africa at large, appealing that the visit should be consummated in fair reporting of the activities of the Upata Kingdom
While he emphasised that Upata will witness robust cultural and developmental leap in the next 10 years, he assured that the “overall goal is to make Upata a business hub in Rivers State. It is achievable because our partnership with AIT will assist this drive and our environment is investment friendly.”
Olu, who is the Head of Daar Communications, Port Harcourt Centre, was visibly excited at the level of developmental vision as outlined by the monarch saying, Eze Otuwarikpo is one among a few traditional rulers that truly understand what will make a difference in the lives of the people.
