The Bonny Chiefs Council (BCC) has described the Ayambo Town Hall built by the Anengi Claude-Wilcox led Bonny Local Government as a symbol of communal spirit, power of collaboration, and unwavering commitment to the shared values of the Ibani (Bonny) people.

Chairman of BCC, Se-Alabo Dagogo Claude-Wilcox, MON, KSC, JP gave this description on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 during the commissioning of the reconstructed town hall at Ayambo Community in Bonny LGA of Rivers State.

“It is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. I consider this Town Hall as a symbol of community strength, resilience, and determination. It is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together towards a common goal.”

“As we officially commission this Town Hall, we celebrate more than just a physical structure. We celebrate the spirit of community, the power of collaboration, and the unwavering commitment to our shared values.”

He stated that the project represents leapfrog into a secure future for the present and coming generations of Bonny people, asserting that it has also amplified the development trajectory of Ayambo Community.

“My dear people, today, we gather to mark a significant milestone in the development trajectory of Ayambo Community. The commissioning of this reconstructed town hall represents a major step forward in the efforts to assure a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.”

He urged greater commitment to efforts at developing Bonny LGA, commending the Bonny LGA Chairman, Anengi Claude-Wilcox for her forthright and tenacious bent towards impacting the lives of the people positively.

“I urge us to continue to work together as a people to ensure the unhindered development of Bonny in general. I cannot conclude without commending the Council Chairman, our own Dame Mrs. Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, DSSRS, JP., for the initiative of touching the lives of Ayambo Community in such a unique way.”

“With this Town Hall, I am sure whenever the Chiefs Council chooses to visit Ayambo, we will have where to sit. Kudos to you are your team.”

In her speech, Chairman of Bonny LGA, Anengi Claude-Wilcox explained that the Town Hall represents the core policy thrust of her administration which is to positively impact lives and improve the development profile of Bonny LGA, asserting that such projects contribute to sustainable peace in the community.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is therefore my pleasure to present to you a formidable and spacious Townhall with facilities such as Admin Offices, Store, male and female conveniences.

“The New Townhall will serve as a central space, a venue where our people could come together, share ideas, and build a stronger sense of belonging. Within these walls, our people can host town meetings, organize workshops, celebrate local talents, and foster a sense of unity.

“It will be a space for laughter, for learning, and for deepening community bond. It can equally be a source of revenue earnings for the community. I urge all to use it and protect it at all times.

“This Ayambo scenario is an example of what this administration has been all about in the last 31 Months in office. We don’t just commit to carry out programs and projects, but we ensure we are in synergy with crucial stakeholders, beneficiaries and the people in general. The strategy has been a vehicle to the attainment of the sustainable peace that the LGA is enjoying.”

Speaking, Chairman of Jumbo Major House, Wari-Alabo Sodienye Jumbo thanked the Bonny LG Chairman for the reconstruction of the Townhall, noting that it was needful given the status of Ayambo as the headquarters of the Jumbo Major House and host of all major strategic institutions of government in Bonny LGA.

He, however, observed that it was important that being the goose that lays the golden eggs, Ayambo Community and Jumbo Major House should be accorded its due recognition and benefits in the scheme of things in Bonny Kingdom and Bonny LGA, assuring the LG Chairman of the continued support of the House to the government.  

Earlier, the Chairman of Ayambo Community, Godswill Jumbo thanked the Bonny Local Government and the LGA Chairman for the project, stating that the people of Ayambo Community are happy, noting that by divine selection, Dame Claude-Wilcox was chosen to lead Bonny LGA years after the demise of her brother, late Kurubo Barasua, who was the first Leader of the Bonny Youth Federation.

“Today we are happy. Happy that history has been made once again.

“When we formed the Bonny Youth Federation…we nominated Kurubo Barasua at the federation to lead us but not too long he suddenly passed on. The tears were in our eyes not knowing that God has something good, something better to console us.

“At the right time, surprisingly, God also went into the same Barasua house that means there is something very peculiar about that family, Barasua family. God went into that family and chose a younger sister to Kurubo to come and wipe away tears from our eyes and today we are happy.”

“In fact, the entire Ayambo Community even the ones that are dead are happy. Those who passed on who were not privileged to see today wherever their spirits are, they are happy because a great transformation has come.”

He pointed out that Ayambo Community is not only the headquarters of Jumbo Major House but also of Bonny LGA given that it is hosting almost every critical institution in the LGA.

“For the benefit of those who may not know, Ayambo Community has boundary with Akiama Community on the other way, that’s from Basket House that goes a long way to say Industrial Unit, Government Lodge, Macaulay Street, Local Government Secretariat, BUC, Police Station, Employment Bureau, General Hospital, even the Mortuary, the King Asimini Bypass, aka Berger Road where we have the Bonny Ultra-Modern Market, are all in Ayambo.

“We also have the Consulate Building is in Ayambo, the Jumbo Major House Opuwari is in Ayambo. This goes a long way to say Ayambo is the headquarters of Bonny.”