The once world acclaimed volatile town of Okrika which drew
world attention due to militant
activities is now turning to a peaceful society in search of investments that
will change the face of the area for the better.
The fortunes which this ancient Kingdom is enjoying today
wouldn’t have been made possible if not for the efforts of two prominent
children of Okrika Island. Dame Patience Fika Jonathan and High Chief Comrade
Ateke Tom have in their own little contributions changed the face of Okrika
Town.
During the Christmas Day Celebrations and the January
celebrations at Abam and Kalio communities respectively, THE RENAISSANCE crew
was there to witness the celebrations in Okrika.
What we witnessed was a transformation of the highest
proportion in the Town of Okrika. What wouldn’t have been possible in the past
was made possible with the freedom with which natives of the place and
visitors alike enjoyed. They also treated themselves to various entertainments
in spots spread across the town.
The beach which was the venue of the XMAS DAY celebration at
Abam Community was crammed full with fun seekers who came to get the best of
the yuletide.
Engineer Kingsley Amakiri a native of Abam Community who
visited from his United Kingdom base described the present day Okrika as a “haven
of peace” beckoning on all and sundry to come and have a feel. He said he was
happy that the community is witnessing peace after the very ugly past
occasioned by youth restiveness.
Another person that spoke with our crew but insisted on been
referred to as simply Robert said the whole Okrika has changed for the better.
He said the people of the community remain grateful to the first lady Patience
Jonathan who has used her goodwill to drag infrastructural projects to the
area. He also said the peace efforts of Chief Comrade Ateke Tom is assisting
the rapid growth and development of the Okrika area.
A visitor from outside the state Mr. Paul Okoro who said he
was in Okrika to visit a friend stressed that with what he saw during the
Yuletide at Okrika, people must begin to show better appreciation to the
leadership qualities of both Patience Jonathan and Ateke Tom. He praised their
efforts though he said there is more to be done in order to bring the community
to the world map of global tourism and entertainment.
Okrika town an ancient port settlement in Rivers state is
situated south of Port Harcourt the capital city o the state. The 2006 census
had put the population of the LGA at 222,000. It is estimated that almost half
of the population lives elsewhere in the world mostly Lagos, United Kingdom and
the United States.
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