https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTXLdRiburc?si=v9JPVkm0Nys6KiG_

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PRESS ADDRESS ON THE FORTHCOMING OPOBO MARATHON 2024

1. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, friends and supporters of this marathon, respected guests and members of the press. I welcome you all to this press conference.

2. We thank you for honouring our invite to grace this press conference. We specially, welcome everyone present, thank you all for making time to be here.
3. We thank all of you for your unfailing support over the years, and we really appreciate your presence here today. I must emphasize that we will never take your love for granted.
4. Today, we shall unveil details of this upcoming events now known globally as OPOBO MARATHON. This is the sixth edition and we are happy for our modest achievements so far.
5. We are also happy to announce that this annual event has grown to become not just a race, but a symbol of unity, determination, and above all, HOPE.
6. It is also clear that there is increased sense of community, friendship and commitment to our fatherland through this marathon.
7. So, we officially launch our journey towards the 6th OPOBO MARATHON, scheduled to take place on the 4th January, 2024, we ask you to join us.
8. It is gratifying to note that this marathon has become a fixture in our community, capturing the spirit of athleticism, and other things that define us as a people.
9. And we are all glad that OPOBO MARATHON has become a remarkable journey since its inception in 2018, followed by its first edition on the 2nd of January, 2019.
10. This marathon's growth has been an inspiring testament to the enduring spirit of the Opobo Kingdom and her people all over the world.
11. From its modest beginning, where participants initially covered a 5km distance, to its current status, OPOBO MARATHON remains a true reflection of determination, courage and progress.
12. Over the course of its five-year existence, it has not only persevered and thrived, in spite of the unique challenges posed by the terrain of the Opobo Kingdom, it has also opened new frontiers for us as a people.
13. The marathon's unwavering commitment to its vision has also been evident in its continuous efforts to showcase the rich tapestry, flora and fauna of the historical Opobo Kingdom – its people, their ways of life, and the promising prospects that lie ahead. Beyond being a mere running event, OPOBO MARATHON has also become a beacon for promoting healthy living among its citizens.
14. As the years have passed, the marathon has managed to gather a cumulative total of more than 8,000 participants. These participants include both the elite and fun runners, fitness enthusiasts, gym instructors and enthusiastic spectators from all works of life.
15. All of them have kept us going, and we are immensely glad about it. I hasten to add that this rainbow crowd and diversity in participation, underscore the wide-reaching impact and appeal of the marathon, as it transcends boundaries and brings people from various works of life, together to OPOBO KINGDOM.

16. A noteworthy aspect of Opobo Marathon's journey is the wholehearted endorsement of the Natural Ruler and Amayanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson D. Jaja CFR, Jeki V.
17. His support has not only lent credibility to the event but has also affirmed the marathon's significance as a unifying force within the community. The monarch's patronship and recognition underscore the marathon's role in fostering a sense of pride and unity among the people of Opobo Kingdom.
18. In a world where challenges often test the faith and resilience of even the best-laid plans, OPOBO MARATHON stands tall as a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and community collaboration.
19. And as the marathon embarks on its onward journey, it does so with a legacy of achievements and a promise to better its accomplishments. May I bring to your notice that any moment from now we shall be constituting OPOBO MARATHON ADVISORY BAORD COUNCIL (OM-ABC).
20. The advisory board is part of our long term vision to see that Opobo Marathon is properly structured to meet the 21st century’s organizational structure as we move ahead for the 10 years Anniversary of Opobo marathon.
21. Again, as we go on board this new edition, we are thrilled to unveil the theme: “MILES OF HOPE” which encapsulates the essence of the event. And this theme resonates deeply with the challenges and triumphs all of us in our community collectively experience. It also reminds us that every step taken, every stride made, is a testament to the power of HOPE that propels us.
22. Opobo Marathon has always been more than a race—it's an embodiment of our aspirations, dreams, and the unity that binds us together. "Miles of Hope" serves as a reminder that no matter how tough the journey, the destination is worth every ounce of effort. It signifies our commitment to pushing boundaries, overcoming obstacles, and striving for a brighter tomorrow.
23. Therefore, this 6th edition promises to be a celebration of healthy competition, determination, and community spirit.
24. With a meticulously designed course that winds through the heart of Opobo, participants will experience the vibrant culture, rich history, and warm hospitality that Opobo Kingdom is well-known for. From seasoned runners to enthusiastic leisure runners, everyone is invited to take part in this inspiring event. After all, we are all winners at the end of the race.
25. The 2024 marathon has seen us increase the price money as it relates with prize for the overall winner, we are therefore pleased to announce to you that the winner of the 2024 Marathon will be going home with a 1000 dollars prize money, proudly sponsored by D’Consiglories Nigeria Limited & the Hope Initiative.
26. This includes other consolidation prices for the first 10 runners who finish the race. This also includes an indigenous category for the first three Opobo Indigenes who finishes the race.
27. In addition, let me use this opportunity to extend our invitation to those who aspire to carve their names within the pages of an untold tale. Prospective sponsors and partners, the canvas eagerly anticipates your creative input, the stage is ready for your illumination, and the marathon eagerly anticipates your collaboration. Unite with us to craft a legacy that not only crosses the finish line but also ascends into the domain of inspiration.
28. As you know participating in the marathon begins with the registration. Therefore, the registration for the 2024 Opobo Marathon will begin from the 19th of November 2023 — 1st of January 2024. The registration website is; www.opobomarathon.com/register.

29. This is also to the notice of the general public; OPOBO MARATHON IS OPEN FOR EVERYONE. Whoever we notice impersonates will be disqualified. The registration for the marathon is free!
30. In the coming weeks, we shall reveal more about the event's highlights, and the various initiatives that will make the 6th OPOBO MARATHON a memorable and impactful experience for everyone through our website; www.opobomarathon.com and our social media accounts on @OpoboMarathon.
31. And please, stay tuned for updates that will showcase our commitment to promoting health, fostering community connections, and contributing to a cause greater than ourselves.
32. We greatly appreciate and acknowledge the unwavering commitment of our team and volunteers who are instrumental in ensuring the remarkable success of our event.
33. A special expression of gratitude is also extended to notable individuals, including His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSR, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, as well as His Majesty, King Dr. Dandeson Douglas Jaja Jeki V, CON. JP, the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom.
34. Also, Our warm wishes and thanks go out to the Opobo Council of Alapu, our invaluable medical collaborators, devoted security agencies, our esteemed patron, Sody Peterside, Heritage Bank PLC, Starsz Investment Company Limited, The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission - NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Rivers State Ministry of Sports, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Hon Dax George Kelly and the board of Opubo Alabo Foundation, The Founder Stanbic IBTC, Amaopusenibo Atedo Peterside, Heritage Bank PLC, Mrs. Sotonye Toby Fulton, Amaopusenibo Sobere Diri, Alahaji DANU NASIRU, Mrs. Kalanne Fubara, Senibo Elliott Idawari Daminabo, Mr. Daniel Alali Daminabo, CEO of Dynasty Perfumes, Amaopusenibo Shedrack Fubara, Mr. Blessing Fubara, MD D’ Consiglories Nig Ltd.

35. A special thanks to our host, the Chairman of Portland Resorts Hotels.
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36. Your presence and support are immeasurable contributions to the triumph of the Opobo Marathon.

37. At this point, I kindly besiege us to stand up for a one-minute silence in honour of our dearly departed friend, Hon. ADONYE KELLY DIRI
38. (May his soul continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus).

39. As we approach the 4th of January, let us anticipate with great excitement the launch of this journey towards "MILES OF HOPE". Together, we will make the 6th OPOBO MARATHON a resounding success, not only in terms of athleticism but also in the radiance of the hope it brings to our lives and Opobo Kingdom.

40. Thank you for your time and attention as we all look forward to a race filled with determination, unity, joy and countless miles of hope.

HENRY IYOWUNA COOKEY - Project Lead, Opobo Marathon
17TH NOVEMBER, 2023.

Father and son wahala.. let there be peace in Rivers state.

Open letter of Peace to the Governor of Rivers State and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VirmQg22pLg&t=13s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfehPfnh8eQ&t=15s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzRE2uEeZtc&t=27s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knsSXlwi3rc&t=47s

If I say there will be problems there will be, don’t be decieved. I don’t need to win but I need you to suffer , you can’t sleep. People will hold you responsible for non performance, I have finished my own 8 years.” FCT Minister Wike tells Rivers Governor Sim Fubara

Nyesom Wike Opens Up:

"All of you know me very well; how I fought the Former Governor."

"If you are part of a political structure and you are going against the structure, the structure will call you to order."

"It's not about rushing to court, all of us have capacity to rush to court."

"I will reply everybody at the appropriate time"- Nyesom Wike made the statements during a book presentation today at Rivers State University.

It was an ijaw woman that helped Nyesom Wike become Governor.

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Tackles Ijaw Youth Council.
"You are doing Asawana; where were you when they destroyed and burnt the House of Assembly Complex?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I03OLQemmRc?si=YYx_6UBv6mX7lc-h

WIKE REMAINS MY PRINCIPAL, SAYS GOV SIM FUBARA


Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday said his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike remains his principal.

The governor stated this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the rededication service of the 2023/2024 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary that was equally attended by Wike. The event was held at the Saint Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Hospital Road in the state capital.

He described the recent political crisis in the state as a thing of the past, calling again for peace in the oil-rich state. Fubara noted that Rivers State can if the actors and their supporters are peaceful.

“My oga remains my oga. Whatever that has happened is in the past. I have not sent anybody to malign anybody,” the governor said.

He said that although it has been a trying time for the state, the current phase of political misunderstanding will pass and the promises his administration made to the people will be delivered.

The governor also warned those pledging support for him to stop using abusive words on perceived opponents, saying that he did not authorise them to malign anybody.

According to him, in trying to attain development, the devil will always attack, but that what is most important is to “identify the devil and push it out”.

It was the first time the two politicians who were the major characters in the recent political fight would be meeting each other in public in the state.

Wike who is the FCT Minister arrived at the church service almost at the end and had a handshake with his successor before sitting on the same row with him while the service lasted.

At the start of his speech, Governor Fubara jokingly appealed to the congregants to suspend the recognition of guests in order not to commit another impeachable offence.

Never say never..

Check out the body language.. they still have to iron out details..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py5m2rwdF5U?si=Tyyu-ODtQ6Hg-0s4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knsSXlwi3rc?si=YhlaOQiwvV0itjo_

Earlier


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfehPfnh8eQ?si=G2cpw8XkKmtr1iGo

RiversCrisis: Let Governor Siminalayi Fubara Be:

1). The jaw National Congress (INC) recalls that Nigerians were on the 30th of October, 2023 woken up from sleep with the news of the failed attempt to impeach the incumbent Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara who is barely six months in office by members of the State House of Assembly, a process believed by many to have been orchestrated by Mr Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

2. The INC, with many well-meaning Rivers people and Niger Deltans in spontaneity, condemned the attempted impeachment, as they saw it as barbaric, self-serving and capable of derailing the fragile democratic consolidation agenda and efforts, as well as generating crisis of unimaginable proportions in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

3. We are constrained to release this press statement to express our worry and disappointment over the insistence of Mr Wike to relentlessly continue his plot to unceremoniously remove his godson-successor, Siminalayi Fubara as Governor of Rivers State for no just cause, in spite of the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and pleas from other senior citizens and respected advocates of peace and decorum in the national polity.

4. We are also bothered by provocative and unguarded comments reported to have been made by Mr Wike (on the 31st of Oct 2023) at different public fora that the "..crisis in Rivers State is purely state politics, internal wrangling and is in no way an ethnic issue...and that political structures of the state belong to me and I will not see any one take them from me,impeachment is not a military coup, it is provided for under the constitution…”

5. It may suffice to restate that the INC, the apex socio- cultural organization of over
40million jaws globally is built on the solid pillars of Truth and Justice, and is morally bound to stand for and by one of their own - His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, particularly because no one has identified a single wrong or crime he has committed against the state as a citizen and as governor to warrant impeachment attempt or any form of attack. It is important to note that politics is just one of the vital components of a people's culture, therefore, we have no apologies for being politically conscious of damning existential threat the case in point portends.

6. Instead, Siminalayi Fubara has received accolades from all the tribes and sections of Rivers State and beyond as a technocrat with a robust sense of public service background, open and kind-hearted gentleman and very unassuming, humane, prudent of manager of the meager resources available to him, and committed to the even development of the state; who does things in accordance with laid down rules and regulations and with the fear of the Almighty God.

7. In Rivers State, across political party
lines and ethnic divide, the massive condemnation of the attempted "civil coup d'etat" and the emergent pro-Fubara movement must be best underscored as a liberation movement from political tyranny, spiritual strangulation and economic disarticulation.

8. It is just an ljaw affair as a few myopic minds intend to portray, but a matter of great concern and relief to Rivers people and Niger Deltans, hence the massive jubilation.

9. Political structures should not and cannot
be any one's personal property. Just as power is transient so also the political architecture be completely surrendered to the succeeding leader in command and authority, in this instance the incumbent governor of the state. We expect that in the same manner that the
PDP structure built by Dr. Peter Odili and sustained by Celestine Omehia and Rotimi Amaechi was bequeathed to Mr Wike, the former governor should, as a matter of political tradition, also properly and completely relinquish same to his successor. It is on record that Mr Wike served out his two tenures peacefully without being terrorized, hounded and haunted by his major benefactors- the ijaws who set the stage for him to attain his much orchestrated Eldorado.

10. Keeping the political structures and the incumbent governor under his armpit
is an aberration with dire consequences for the human capital, political, economic and social development of the state and by extension, the Nigerian state.

11. The jaw nation remains profusely grateful to Mr Wike for making our son, Governor of Rivers State. However, it might be necessary to state for the records that Mr Wike enjoyed great love and political benevolence from an Ijaw son, Dr
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who appointed him as minister and later aided him to be governor of Rivers State. His godson Siminalayi Fubara also served him in several strategic capacities as a very loyal and diligent confidant. As a faithful
labourer,he deserves Mr Wike's reward by way of support and providing the enabling environment to function effectively and maximally as the sitting governor of the state. A common African adage says that even when your biological son is crowned a king of your kingdom, you as a father/mother must accord him all the respects and entitlements.

12. In the midst of this drama that has played out in the last few days by various interest groups, we found the recent Rivers State PDP Elders Forum position statement more worrisome, misplaced, lopsided and repressive. However, we sympathize with them on their inability to summon the needed courage to speak
truth to power and affluence. We unequivocally state that their views do not represent the
ethno-heterogenic political aspirations of majority of Rivers people both in politics and otherwise.

13. The INC wishes to remind those who may not know, that the ljaw people played a prominent role in the emancipation of the Old Rivers from the then Eastern Region, leading to the creation of Rivers State (now Rivers and Bayelsa) in 1967. This is well documented. No one, no matter how mischievous he/she intends to be, can undermine the great works of Alfred Diete-Spiff, Melford Okilo and Ada George in building a united and prosperous Rivers State for all indigenes of the state, in spite of ethnic and class divide.

14. As crucial stakeholders in the Rivers State project where the ljaws remain predominant ni 13 out of the 23 LGAs, we must join other ethnic groups ni championing the cause of ensuring that due diligence, peace, justice and fair play prevail and that no man should play God in the affairs of men.

15. At this juncture, we wish to re-emphasize that our support for the current governor is solid and total. We can't be detracted by characters that demand that he jettison the courageous
battle he has started well. We also consider as unacceptable and appalling the demand by this same group of persons for a sitting governor to publicly apologize to his godfather as a precondition for reconciliation. They may wish to tell Nigerians what crime Fubara has committed against Rivers people outside his genuine desire to properly manage the commonwealth of the state.

See fans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKYBPEngMIU?si=f40XNgErSvCxVpHz

See fans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgd_xsf43VY?si=6vBL64ViSUwFsikD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKYBPEngMIU?si=avqg-mFVxzfh4_UU

Hope to see Nigeria players to return Npfl and win trophies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgd_xsf43VY?si=5WkzcQNyPpFkWBdM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHG8pIcqJko?si=_F_mfcZKM4KGHJ58