OKEREWA TODAY: “Infrastructural and human capital development is pivotal to any societal development and structure, as such, Okerewa of today is not left out of exploiting its full potentials in harnessing and achieving the needed developments to take Okerewa to expected heights. However, within the few months of our assumption of office as incorporated Trustees of the community for the period of three years and with the kind support of our traditional stool of Elemeland ably led by HRM KING DR. PHILLIP O. OBELE and his team, the Political Class, and our Fathers of Faith, we are poised under God to deliver on our mandate with the kind help and support of Okerewa Council of Chiefs and Elders led by Chief Comrade Eteeh O. Elechi, the Women, Youths, CDC and Stakeholders of our great community. We have within few months of our operations achieved more.” Ngokanya Benjamin stated as he went further to list achievements so far and plans ahead.
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Read Full Speech Below:
AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF OKEREWA COMMUNITY TRUST, NGOKANYA BENJAMIN ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL SIGNING AND KICK OFF OF THE 20 YEARS OKEREWA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PLAN AT THE PALACE OF THE PARAMOUNT RULER OF OKEREWA COMMUNITY, CHIEF COMRADE ETEEH OSARO ELECHI ON THE 3RD OCTOBER, 2022.
PROTOCOLS!!!
INTRODUCTION
Okerewa a subset community in Aleto clan of Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State being one of the shareholders and Host Community of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited with 21% stake of the 7.5% Indorama Host Community Equity shares, we are blessed with both human and natural resources but lacks the capacity to translate these blessings to be visible and impactful on the generality of the community and by extension Elemeland, Rivers State and the nation at large. Okerewa community has given much to her people in terms of its lands, job opportunities, Indorama EPL dividends and many other values, yet the community has had little or nothing in return for all her giftings to us as a people rather than envy, quarrels, hatred, bitterness, etc. thereby turning the blessed land to one looking like an accursed land.
It is on this premise and many more that made the present leadership of Okerewa Community to think deep on the way forward and how to give back to such a land / place that’s has cared for her children immensely. Therefore a few of the things we decided to do in order to grow our community and avoid the mistakes of the past are to:
Forgive one another
Love and Respect For One Another
Engender Peace at All Levels
Be United
Think Progress and Prosperity Always…
However, our present resolve as stated above did not just occur by but was born out of long-standing battles, bickering and evil meted on each other that negatively impacted our blessed community. Like the saying goes “there cannot be the present and future without the past”. The past had heroes who did well, protected and preserved this community (Okerewa) that has given us so much through the power of God almighty; heroes like: Chief Nwolu Okerewa, Chief Rueben Elechi, Chief Aaron Nwokenta, Chief Nwolu Owate, Chief Benson Kanwi, Chief Omute Osaro Ngokanya, Chief John Okanje, Chief Sampson Yorgbaa, Elder Aji Goda, Elder Paul Okerewa, Chief Clement Mgbigbii, Comrade Aji Ngoya And Many Others of Blessed Memories…
These heroes and more did their best even though our generation have not done well to preserve the vision and ideas of our hero’s past. It is on this note that we consciously agree as a people that never again would we allow this kind of evil bedevil our blessed community and truncate the unity and love our forefathers shared. That never again would we allow our wealth and blessings to be thrown away for police cases, court cases and all forms of crises rather than using it for the development of the Okerewa sons and daughters, never again!!!
OUR VISION:
Okerewa Development Project Plan (ODPP) is carefully crafted with a 20years strategic plan and policy that showcases a reference point for us at various aspects of our economic, infrastructure and social life with key emphasis on protecting our people and our environmental welfare.
The plan to achieving our vision is not a static one, but a rolling economic plan which will allow for modification overtime in line with modern and technological realities as contained in our well-thought-out policy document and development blueprint presented to the people of Okerewa in our town hall meeting on Saturday February 26th 2022.
OKEREWA TODAY
Infrastructural and human capital development is pivotal to any societal development and structure, as such, Okerewa of today is not left out of exploiting its full potentials in harnessing and achieving the needed developments to take Okerewa to expected heights.
However, within the few months of our assumption of office as incorporated Trustees of the community for the period of three years and with the kind support of our traditional stool of Elemeland ably led by HRM KING DR. PHILLIP O. OBELE and his team, the Political Class, and our Fathers of Faith, we are poised under God to deliver on our mandate with the kind help and support of Okerewa Council of Chiefs and Elders led by Chief Comrade Eteeh O. Elechi, the Women, Youths, CDC and Stakeholders of our great community.
We have within few months of our operations achieved:
The purchase of an 18-seater Toyota Hiace Bus.
Institutionalizing Okerewa Community leadership at every level of the community.
Equity and uniform distribution of community dividends to members of Okerewa Community.
The cleaning and filling of some bad spots in the Community to make it more motorable and accessible.
The purchase of two and half plots of land within Okerewa and the declaration to purchase every available land within Okerewa Community for the Community.
Assisting of community members during the demise of their loved ones and financially supporting them during burials and other noble ventures.
The registration of 25 members of Okerewa Community into Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC) Rivers State branch as a unit command and training.
Fixing and maintenance of electrical issues and transformers within Okerewa Community
Website configuration for Okerewa Community
Hosting of the Okerewa Community First Annual General Meeting (AGM) ON 10TH AND 11TH JUNE 2022.
The offering of free scholarships schemes up to PhD level in government institutions to Okerewa sons and daughters.
OKEREWA TOMORROW
Having looked at the past with one eye, it is important that we look at the future with the other.
“If we do not choose the future, we will be choosing the past. Our past was glorious, but it cannot dictate our future. We are not required to free ourselves from our past because it lives in our conscience, but we have to free ourselves from staying in the past. Our present should be our starting point and the future should be our target”
……. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoun.
We should and must consciously decide on how to build the Future of our dreams and aspirations. In considering this, and as part of our blueprint and development agenda, we are here today for the following reasons:
The signing of a Contract Agreement between the Okerewa Community and CHANITA WORLDWIDE SOLUTIONS LIMITED.
First phase of the Okerewa Community Computer Training Program with Starter Pack.
The commissioning of the Framework for Okerewa Community Based Manpower Stock and Employment Generation System.
The commencement of Okerewa Community 2022 End of Year Committee.
The funding of the Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC) Training scheme for Okerewa unit.
CONCLUSION
I cannot conclude this speech without thanking and giving the needed glory to the Almighty God who has helped us thus far and will continue to see us through Jesus Christ the righteous!
I must also acknowledge the doggedness and tenacity of a man I call the Moses of our generation, clever and fearless in battles but magnanimous and humble in victory, Chief Hon. Engr. Aforji Igwe Obey (PhD). Thank you for allowing yourself to be used as a battle axe for the victory we are enjoying today.
I will also like to thank all of us for our various supports and efforts to achieving this feat, not leaving out “oku obuie”.
Finally, we have great challenges and great opportunities laid before us today, to leave our footprints on the shores of time. With your help and guidance, we will meet them and make the years ahead, the best years in our history and future we anticipate.
Obari Akase Nyime Eta Okerewa!
Obari Akase Nyime Eta Host Community!!
Obari Akase Nyime Eta Eleme!!!
Okerewa! Onensi!!!
