The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo on Sunday, predicted that the people of Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa will produce a governor in the state.
Gov. Okpebholo, who was a guest at the 67th anniversary of Ayakoro Annual Festival (Eyal Obeyin), noted that the massive development in the community is as a result of the pragmatic efforts of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, an illustrious son of Ayakoro community.
“When I saw the under-development in my community, I asked God to raise us a man that will bring development to us, and today I am the governor,” he said.
The governor said for the great things Dr.Ogbuku is doing in the community and the entire Niger Delta, Ayakoro community deserves to produce the next governor of Bayelsa State.
“I have learned something new today in this community and I will also take it home,” he said.
Speaking, Dr. Ogbuku, who is the co-chief host and the deputy paramount ruler of Ayakoro community, said the festival was to celebrate their forefathers who due to coastal erosion, relocated to the present abode.
He commended the ancestors for their foresight in relocating to the present site, to save future generations from ravaging coastal erosion.
“I believe they saw something at that time that made them cross to the present location, and since then prosperity has continued to be upon Ayakoro community,” Ogbuku said.
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Ogbuku attributed the achievements the NDDC is making to collaboration from all stakeholders, adding “one thing is sure that we will always do more, if our communities across the Niger Delta can partner with us, by ensuring that they will protect the facilities we are building in the communities.
“These facilities are going to be enjoyed by the communities, and the people of the communities should take ownership of the facilities. Sometimes, we feel bad how some facilities built in a community are being vandalized.
“So, I will appeal that whatever facilities that have been brought to you, guide it jealously. We don’t like a situation where the communities make things difficult for the contractors, and if the contractors decide to leave, it’s your community that will suffer.
“Communities that have challenges with the contractors, please come to us. Do not frustrate the contractors, we can handle it because NDDC wants to spread development across the entire Niger Delta.”
Paramount ruler of Ayakoro community, Righteous Inegbagha, said the Ayakoro annual festival was borne out of the need to honour as well as immortalize the founding fathers of the community.
