By Egufe Yafugborhi

PORT HAR-COURT— GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday, cautioned traditional rulersin the state against conferring chieftaincies on “criminally minded” persons in the state.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wik

He also commended traditional rulers in the state for their support for the peace initiatives of the state government which has enhanced peaceful coexistence across the state.

He said that the improvement of peace has transformed  the state into a destination of choice in the country.

Declaring open the 107th Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt, Wike urged the  traditional rulers  to sustain their efforts at promoting peace in their communities.

Wike said: “Do not relent in working for peace in our communities.  There is no part of the state  that will not benefit from our development drive.  We have effectively reached 22 local government areas of the state. The last council will be reached by the first quarter of next year.”

The governor urged the traditional rulers not to promote the conferment of titles on criminally minded persons, saying that it will demean the structure of traditional stools in the state.

He said: “Give titles to very credible persons in our communities.  Titles should be reserved for persons who have contributed  meaningfully to societal growth.  Always look at the credentials of people before you confer titles on them. That is the only way people can respect these titles.”

In his address, the Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amayanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Jaja, said that the speedy development of Rivers State had turned the state into a destination of choice.