In continuation of his bold efforts to enshrine enduring peace in Amassoma through traditional institutions, the Honourable member representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Engr. Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei, has presented three candidates selected from the three autonomous Biris – Okpodu, Ogoni, and Alomu – to the people of Amassoma for them to choose one as Amananaowei.
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Speaking in Amassoma on Sunday, Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei, who is also the convener and Chairman of the Amassoma Town Hall meeting for the peaceful enthronement of a new Amananaowei, said:
“We have read and adopted the minutes of the previous meeting. What is left is matters arising. And under the matters arising, there’s only one issue. And that is, we sent out a three-man committee to go into the three Biris under guidelines to select one person each from the three Biris who are aspiring to contest for the Amassoma Amananaowei stool.”
“As I had told you earlier, whatever I’m doing, I do with openness. And I’m still saying that I do not have any personal interest. My interest is for the community. And the interest is peace.”
“As the Hon. Member Representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, any community can call me that this is their problem. I’m not bigger than any community, I’m not even bigger than any individual here because you elected me to represent you. Your matter is my matter.”
Earlier, a 3-man committee comprising Hon. ( Mrs.) Elizabeth Bidei (Ogoni Biri), Hon. Kuroakegha Dorgu (Okpodu), and Associate Prof. Diepreye Okodoko had been set up with a charge for them to hold meetings at the Biri level and nominate one candidate each for a final selection for the Amananaowei.
In his remarks on how contestants for the Amananaowei were selected in Okpodu Biri, Hon. Kuroakegha Dorgu said that a meeting was held on Friday, 6th July to sensitize interested persons for the Amananaowei stool to indicate their interests and finally come out on Saturday, 7th July for screening and selection. He explained that three persons came out to contest, namely, Arc. Ere Efeke, Moses Douglas, and Oyinmiebi Omonibo. Then the guidelines were read out to them, noting that a civil servant is not qualified to contest. Consequently, it was discovered that Messrs Moses Douglas and Oyinmiebi Ogonibo are civil servants, meaning that they have to resign and show proof with their letters of resignation to be eligible. However, none of them were able to produce a letter of resignation and finally stepped down for Arc. Ere Efeke, who became the sole candidate from Okpodu Biri. He was then presented to the Town Hall congress.
The process of selecting nominees from Alomu Biri was supervised by Chief Perekoridei Apiapia on behalf of Associate Professor Diepreye Okodoko. In presenting the contestant to the Town Hall congress, Chief Perekoridei Apiapia said that five persons indicated interest in contesting the Amananaowei stool. They are Chief Alapere Peresuodei, Felix Amos Amalagha, Inetimi Abel. Femowei, Sabelo Oyagbagha, and Chief O. Famous.
Chief Apiapia further explained that after much deliberation, Chief Inetimi Abel Ebifemowei emerged as the candidate for Alomu Biri, and he was so presented to the Town Hall congress.
The Convener and Chairman of the Congress, having received the contestants for the Amananaowei chieftaincy, called out Hon. Ezekiel Youngbo, Arc. Ere Efeke, and Chief Inetimi Abel Ebifemowei for official recognition by all as official candidates for the selection of a new Amananaowei for Amassoma.
Hon. Ambaiowei also said that one person will be selected among the three candidates as Amananaowei in the next meeting expected to be held after one week.
Several stakeholders, including Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, Hon. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Bidei, Hon. Kuroakegha Dorgu, Hon. (Mrs.) Aperetari Rose Ogugu, Eric Avi, Senior Comrade Ambaiowei Abaye Ambaiowei, Dr. Isaiah Koriekiye, Dr. Yaibimi Ayogoi, Robinson Erebi, Dr. Solomon Apreala, Lovely Sogo, Amassoma Council of Chiefs, amongst others, contributed meaningfully to the successful conclusion of this 4th edition in the series of Town Hall meetings regarding the enthronement of a brand new Amananaowei for Bayelsa’s most populous community.
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