Amaechi to Rename Rivers Assembly complex after late Tonye Harry

Rivers state governor, Chibuike Amaechi on Saturday said the state House of Assembly complex would be named after the late Tonye Harry, a former speaker of the house.

Speaking at the late Speaker’s funeral service at Obuama in the Degema Local Government Area of the state, Amaechi said the aim was to immortalise the late Harry.

He said the late Harry, who served as Deputy Speaker for eight years and Speaker for four years, was a fine gentleman and good person until his death.

“The late Tonye deserves to be remembered because he served Degema local government for four terms and the state very well also.

“The assembly complex will be named after him to immortalise his name,’’ the governor said.

Amaechi also said government would assist the late Tonye’s community in completing a new section of the St. Alban’s Anglican Church at Obuama.

In his sermon at the service, Rt. Rev. Ralph Ebirien, Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese, Anglican Communion, urged the people to repent and have the fear of God.

“Repentance brings forgiveness and peace. It gives inner peace and joy. Repentance brings success and takes one to a higher level,’’ he said.

Ebirien extolled the virtues and contributions of the late Harry to his community and the state in general.

Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, the President of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), said the sports federation was yet to come to terms with the fact that Harry had passed on.

“The late Tonye Harry was a good man. As the First Vice-Chairman of our federation, he contributed so much to the growth of tennis in this country. We will surely miss him,’’ he said.

Sen. Magnus Abe, a member of the National Assembly, said the late Harry showed kindness to all.

“He was always at home with all,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late Harry died on Oct. 4, 2013.