The 32-member legislature said the trio in their various endeavours did well by putting the state on a global stage.
This was the resolution of the lawmakers during plenary. They expressed their happiness with the exploits and exemplary conduct of Rena Wakama, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, and Kekwaru Ngozi Mary.
Rena Wakama, who hails from Okrika, is the Head Coach of Nigeria’s female basketball team (D’Tigress) that won the 2023 edition of the Afro Basketball Championship in Kigali, Rwanda, for which Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah was a player in the team.
On her part, Kunaiyi-Akpanah, a Nigerian Basket Ball Player who won Gold at the Afro Basket Ball Championship, hails from Kalabari.
Mary Kekwaru was the lady that returned the sum of $70,000 misplaced by a customer where she works at Eko Hotel and Suite. She hails from Rundele in the Emohua Local Government Area of the State.
This follows a motion presented on the floor of the House by the Deputy Leader, Linda Somiari-Stewart, who represents Okrika Constituency, urging the house to honour the three patriotic Rivers indigenes.
Somiari-Stewart said among the trending news in Nigeria are the exploits and sterling conducts of Rena Wakama, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, and Mary Kekwaru, saying their self-discipline, selflessness, uprightness, and public-spiritedness have put the state on the world map.
She argued that apart from representation, law-making, and oversight, one of the responsibilities of a legislator is to bring to the front burner issues of national interests that have the propensity to promote development and
the corporate image of the State.
Hon. Somiari-Stewart stated, “Whereas they have now become the toasts of the town, beacon of hope for the young and succeeding generations as well as worthy ambassadors of the State, there is an urgent need for them to be celebrated by the State Government to inspire others to aspire to greater heights.
“Upon this, I respectfully pray that this august House resolves as follows: Commend these young ladies for recording these achievements;
“Urge indigenes and residents of the State, especially, the younger generations, to emulate the exemplary conduct of these ladies, and
“Make any other order that will strengthen the Motion to achieve its the objective of encouraging Rivers people to emulate the three Amazons wherever they find themselves.”
The House Leader, Hon. Edison Ehie who led the debate said the trio had made the state proud and deserves commendation.
While further said debating this on the floors of the parliaments, has the potential of resonating beyond the shores of the country, thereby, opening the floodgate of interests of peoples of diverse strands of thoughts, persuasions, creeds, and nationalities.
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, in his submission said the house has resolved to write a letter of commendation to the three Rivers women.
The state legislature thereafter adjourned sitting till August 18, 2022.
