Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara has asserted that he is a true Ijaw man from Opobo Kingdom that are integral part of the history of the Ijaw struggle.
Governor spoke when he met with the Regent of Kalabari Kingdom, Dr. Charles Numbere Princewill who led Amanyanapus and Opu-alabos of other Kalabari Se Kobiri to Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.
The governor dismissed as wrong the speculations in some quarters that labeled him as a non Ijaw.
He said such persons are bereft of the history of the struggle that made Ijaw a reputable class of people.
“So, whoever is feeding you with that information, they should go back to their history classes. You cannot talk about the Ijaw struggle without the Opobo, the Bonny, the Kalabari.
“We had our trade line at that time and for you to occupy a trade line, it means you are a true Ijaw man. So, for the records, I am a full bloody, up to my bones, an Ijaw man.”
Governor Fubara said Ijaw people are bold, courageous and forthright people who are not afraid to speak the truth.
It was so, he emphasised, during the slave trade and colonial eras that despite being subjected to inhuman treatment, Ijaw people never succumbed to be traded as slaves.
Governor Fubara stressed on one cardinal believe that he has, which is that only the will of God can prevails in every circumstance whether it were good or bad, winning or failing.
Condoling with the Kalabari people over the demise of their monarch, late King Theophilus J.T. Princewill, governor Fubara assured that the State government will fully participate in the burial activities, while urging the people to put their differences aside and work together to give the late king a befitting burial.
In his speech, the regent of Kalabari kingdom, Dr. Charles Numbere Princewill said they visited to notify the governor that Theophilus J.T. Princewill, Amachree XI, The Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of the Kalabari Kingdom has died and formally invite him to attend the funeral. He thanked the governor for the N110M already released to them and solicited more support.
On his part, Secretary to the Rivers State Government(SSG) Dr. Tammy Danagogo said governor Fubara has shown so much love towards the Kalabari people and committed to giving befitting burial to their late Amanyanabo.
