Chief Timipre Sylva, former Governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa, and his wife, Alanyingi Sylva, were on Friday awarded chieftaincy titles by the Ebem Ancient Kingdom, Ohafia, Abia.

The development was contained in a statement by Mr Julius Bokoru, Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to Chief Timipre Sylva.

According to Bokoru, Sylva was installed as Ike Mba Ebem Ohafia (A dependable pillar of Ebem-Ohafia) while Her his wife, Alanyingi will be known as Ada Oha Ebem-Ohafia (The Noble First Daughter of Ebem-Ohafia)

Honouring the Sylvas, HRH Eze Ukoha Kalu JP, Paramount Ruler, Ezie Ogo of Ebem ancient Kingdom, Ohafia, said: “During H.E Timipre Sylva’s first tenure as Governor of Bayelsa, he brought a lot of finesse to the position by touching the lives of both the highly placed and the so called ordinary folks.

“The welfare of the people of Bayelsa was his real concern. While he concentrated on governance, his wife Chief Mrs. Alanyingi Uduak Sylva concentrated on helping women and children.

“Together, the couple empathised with all friends and relations in and outside of Bayelsa. The only boundaries their philanthropy knows is the totality of humanity.

“Chief and Chief Mrs. Sylva drilled, built and presented two solid, boreholes with portable water which we commissioned this morning. We can’t thank them enough.”

Responding, Sylva said: “I thank his Royal Highness and the good people of Ebem Ohafia Kingdom for honouring us with these noble titles.

“When we did a few things here, we didn’t expect that we will get honoured for it or that it meant so much for people.

“I thank this great Kingdom once again, for the hospitality and all the love that has been shown us. It is also a great task and we promise not to let you down. Thank you your Highness.”

The event had In attendance senior officers of the Armed Forces, the entire structure of the Bayelsa State APC, party chieftains and captains of industry.

According to the statement, earlier on Friday, Sylva had commissioned water projects across Ebem-Ohafia to the applause of residents who said the move would mitigate the existing water anxieties.