Ambassador Emeni Ibe, JP, AP, President General of notable Niger Delta socio-cultural group, the Orashi National Congress (ONC), has expressed condolences to Igbu Ehuda Kingdom following the reported deaths of two indigenes in a boat accident on the Ahoada River.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ambassador Ibe said he received with profound grief the heartbreaking news of the tragic demise of Mr. Mekelachi and Ms. Rejoice, who reportedly lost their lives following a boat mishap on the Ahoada River while striving to earn an honest living.
Ambassador Ibe extended deepest condolences to His Majesty, Eze (Amb.) Noble Friday Uwoh, Eze Igbu Ehuda IV, the bereaved families, and the good people of Igbu Ehuda Kingdom over this painful and irreplaceable loss.
He added: “We share in the sorrow of the kingdom and pray that Almighty God grants the grieving families the strength, comfort, and courage to bear this tragic loss. We also pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed, whose dedication to honest labour remains a worthy example to all”.
The ONC President General urged the people of Igbu Ehuda to remain united in this difficult time, trusting that God will heal every broken heart and grant the kingdom the fortitude to overcome this moment of grief.
The Ahoada River is a major waterway in Rivers State used by many riverine communities for transport and fishing. Boat mishaps on Nigeria’s inland waterways are often attributed to factors such as overloading, weather conditions, and lack of safety equipment, according to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
By the time of this report, official details from NIWA or the Rivers State Government on the circumstances of this reported mishap have not been released. Authorities typically investigate such incidents and advise on water safety measures.