Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been conferred with the title Eze Udo 1 of Nigeria (King of Peace) by the Etche Traditional Rulers Council during a grand ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of HRH Dr. Ken O. Nwala, King of the Etche Kingdom, in Rivers State.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was also honoured with the title Dike Oha 1 of Etche Land (Warrior or Strong Man) during the event.
Fubara lauded Jonathan for his unwavering support during challenging times in his administration, acknowledging the former president’s role in helping him navigate complex crises, though he withheld specific details.
“That is why I canceled all my engagements to personally receive him and attend this event together,” the governor stated, describing Jonathan as a father figure and a beacon of humility and simplicity. 
Fubara noted that Jonathan’s presence at the ceremony exemplified his dedication to fostering unity and mutual respect.
He said: “Let me thank our father for coming to grace this occasion. It is not just the celebrant being close to him should give a good reason for him to come here.
“It shows that his is simple and that he believes that humility is the priceless thing you can give to anybody. Coming here to celebrant with Etche people is a sign of humility. So I want to thank you for coming.
“On my own part I won’t want to talk much because I feel that I have been ambushed. I like avoiding this kind of occasion but I have no option when I was told and I got a letter that our daddy will be coming here, I had to cancel all other programme that I have to be here to receive him and to honour him.
“Because I know it is not everything that I will tell you he has stood by me in this most difficult period of our administration. So the little I can do is to come and wait for him to receive him and to share in this honour.
“The little I can do is to wait for him and receive him. For my teeming supporters I know you are happy that I am here.”
The governor also used the occasion to address his supporters, affirming his commitment to fulfilling his promises to the people of Rivers State.
He pledged to complete the Egwi-Afara-Mba road project within six months, emphasizing his determination to uplift the lives of Rivers citizens.
Fubara said: “I can assure you that in the next six months we will be coming here to commission that road. That is one among other things that we will do.
“But for today I want to assure you your support is noted and appreciated and in return we will continue to do our best to lift up your faces before those people who believed that you made mistake in supporting us. We will not allow you to face any shame.
“We are happy today that in this event it is no longer former, you have the incumbent local government chairman, not just in Etche but also in Omuma. It is a sign that with patience everything will be achieved.
“So, please continue to be law-abiding, we will follow our cause in the most rightful way. In the most just way we will get to our promised land.”
Additionally, Governor Fubara pledged N100 million to support the completion of the Etche King’s palace project, affirming his administration’s dedication to celebrating and empowering traditional institutions in the state.
Congratulating HRH Dr. Ken O. Nwala on his 10th anniversary, Fubara encouraged the monarch to continue leading with the fear of God, noting the significance of the milestone.
“I have assessed the palace and seen that there are lots of work to be done here. So, I will support the Agwuru and Etche people. The government will support His Royal Highness, Eze Ken Nwala with the sum of N100million to complete this palace
“I want to thank the Almighty God who has made things possible not just for me being here but also for the celebrant to mark his 10th year anniversary. It is not an easy journey. People give birth, one minute after the life is cut short.
“Today we are marking a 10th year anniversary of the throne of a young man whom God. I congratulate you and I wish you well and urge you to lead your people with the fear of God,” he concluded.
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