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| Wabilly Nyiam(L) presented with a plaque of the traditional title |
Nyok|17 September 2018
Chief Wabilly Nyiam was on Saturday conferred with the chieftaincy title of NNOK IJOM AKARR Mfam implying, ‘He who brought good thing to his people’, by Ntol Ama Mgbeje III of Ishiborr on the 15th September 2018.
Chief Nyiam, in his speech reflected on the events of the day and thanked the public for their support, promising to serve them well if given a chance in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come May, 2019.
Excerpt:
On this memorable day, I have been uplifted and highly delighted by the knowledge that your thoughts and prayers are with me.
On a faithful day when I visited the good people of Ishiborr, after discussing with the Nail and hearing about their various need, paramount was his agitation for a town hall which construction has been abandoned for over twenty two years after the foundation was laid. Recall that my late mother was from Ukamusha in Ishiborr and my maternal grand parents were buried not quite 100 meters from where I stand here today, I made a solemn promise to use my contacts and ensure the completion of the abandon town hall for years.
I discussed and appealed to the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta pastor Usani Uguru Usani to help my people complete this project and when he visited Ogoja in May last year 2017, he joined me to visit the Nail and reaffirmed the promise and today, we are here to see the completion of the town hall after one year.
In my speech, I asked you all, whatever your religion, political leaning or ethnicity to pray for me – that God would give me wisdom and strength to carry out the promises that I shall be making as I represent you in the Senate, come may, 2019 by the grace of God.
A man can be denied by his father but can never be denied by his mother. He sees his mother’s people as his own people.
I have been aware all through the years that my people, spread far and wide throughout every continent and across the oceans in the world, were united to support me in the task to which I have now been dedicated with such solemnity.
Thousands of you came from far and near to join me in this ceremony, but I have been conscious too of the millions of others who have shared in it through the wireless gadgets or television in their homes. All of you, near or far, have been united in one purpose. It is hard for me to find words in which to tell you of the strength which this knowledge has given me.
The ceremony you have seen today is ancient, and some of its origin are veiled in the mists of the past. But their spirit and their meaning shine through the ages. never perhaps, more brightly like now. I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, like so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.
I have in my parents and grandparents an example which I can follow with certainty and with confidence. For those who know my forbears especially, my lineage in Ishiborr, I leave you to tell the story.
Therefore I am sure that this my title, is not symbolic of power and splendour but a declaration of our hopes for the future, and for the years I may, by God’s grace and mercy, be given to reign and serve you all.
I have been speaking of the vast regions and varied peoples to whom I owe my duty but there has also sprung from our home a theme of social and political thought which constitutes our message to the world and who through the changing generations have found acceptance both within and far beyond my Realms.
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t limit your life or dreams to one destination. Life is truly a journey. An unprepared road with many stops.
I ask you now to cherish them – and practise them too; then we can go forward together in peace, seeking justice and freedom for all.
Wabilly Nyiam
Nnok Ijom Akarr Mfam of Ishiborr
