Front Pix
Blunt, Annoying But Brilliant …Gov Amaechi’s Public Speech Style
Every lucky male-child makes a friend of his father, sometimes mother in whom such minor confides. In such interaction, the key defining imperative is truth, if even it will attract serious sanctions. Such confidence-building takes time, endurance, discipline and more especially an abiding faith in the father or mother to do right.
Again, in a relationship of that kind, half truths, distrust and evasiveness have no space, for they naturally impede the expected father/child friendship except in such instances when moral demands to protecting the child from strictly adult literation forces a loving father to be choosy with words, but very loving in style.
Of the many lessons I got from the friendship with my father, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi reminds me of one, each time he has a reason to address concerns of public nature with a usually blunt, very annoying but indeed truthfully and with such amazing brilliance. It is one, I grew up to confirm in my study of political leaders, diplomats and even every day politicians: Never say what you don’t mean and never ever pretend to be what you are not.
As an adult in the business of minding others’ business which journalism truly is, I have come to see public officials in two different categories: those who tell their followership what may be soothing, by saying the nastiest things in the nicest way, build phoney public expectation to heights, so high, but ultimately do little to invest in the future welfare of the people because doing so would reduce the lot required to oil their loyalties, ensure they keep an assured political future. The other, which Amaechi uniquely represents is the group that tells the story as it is, sans embellishments, little bothered about the pain and angst such blunt delivery attracts the affected, never atom of fear, lack of facts nor favourism. He is in every sense a referee soccer encounter who ends up as enemy to both teams.
In truth, Amaechi’s style of public speech-making can be very unsettling even to his aides and political associates and very annoying to those who believe that a governor should be discrete, economical with the truth and put political friendship and future above all other in criticism of issues he himself finds unsettling.
Last year, as guest of The Platform, a Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) personality interview programme of the Rivers State Council, Amaechi was confronted with a good number of questions like the then most troubling demolition of structures either illegal or legal depending on public need and imperative for urbanisation.
Worried by Amaechi’s amazing openness, Information and Communications Commissioner, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari slipped through a note to her boss. Unbelievably, the governor shared content of the slip with an amazed news crowd. “My commissioner is asking me to be a bit diplomatic”, Amaechi told the journalists, who needed no further assurance that it was a caution that the unpredictable Amaechi will gladly disobey.
To him, diplomacy with words means, lying to self, political self-censorship, battle against the truth and a contradiction of his owed favour for openness and accountability. To him, true success does not come from doing or saying nothing, or avoiding annoying truths on friends nor is it about the fear of making mistakes. It is instead the willingness to stand firmly by what he truly believes in, never bothered by the many ethno-political passion such positions naturally ignite.
In the past many months for instance, the desire for government to demolish Port Harcourt waterfronts, some parts of which it considers a hide-out for criminals, has attracted countless questions on the governor’s true motives. In fact, thanks to a section of the local media, the issue has been made to appear as face-off between Governor Amaechi and Okrika-speaking Ijaws who have repeatedly laid claim to ownership of the affected areas and on very many occasions insisted on re-settlement of some kind.
Feasting on that conflict, a section of the media even predicted that Governor Amaechi would be too scared to hold the Okrika edition of the town-hall meetings or that he would not be welcome.
With less than two years to re-election, if he so desires, every politician should thread softly, lie a little and demonstrate pretentious lowliness far different from his pedigree as governor, but not Amaechi.
After some postponements, which the said media interpreted to mean fear, Amaechi kept the appointment with Okrika Local Government Area, into the warm embrace of gaily dressed women, youths, traditional rulers and chiefs, and of course, politicians and public office holders, last Thursday, August 5th, this year.
Apparently delayed by the need to condole with the Oba of Ogbaland, His Eminence, Sir Chukumela Nnam Obi II, on the death of the natural ruler’s wife, Amaechi arrived Okrika later than the prescheduled 10am and headed straight to the residence of the Amanyanabo of Ogoloma, His Royal majesty, Chief E.T.I. Obudibo to pay his traditional respect and to intimate his host of the town-hall meeting with Okrika stakeholders at the council headquarters.
Thereafter, accompanied by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Health Commissioner, Dr. Sampson Parker as chief host, Secretary, to State Government, Hon. Magnus Abe and other members of the State Executive Council, Governor Amaechi headed for the Model Primary School at Ogoloma, a project which was originally out of his advertised schedule of visit. And without prior information to his security details headed to the model school, inspected the structure before heading for the town-hall meeting.
There, a vintage Amaechi stretched his openness to annoying limits, from protocol perspective when he instructed that those who failed to attract the moderator’s attention for worrisome questions should scribble such and send to him. Strangely, he read out every such question and answered as ‘matter-of-factly’ as usual and even took the fight to the Okrika political elite, past and present, challenging them to show proof of performance and human empowerment comparative to his within about two years.
“Some say I hate Okrikans, but they do not know that 65 per cent of my friends are Okrikans”, and went ahead to list why he should enjoy better reception and accommodation than many of their sons and daughters, some of who, he accused of greed, self-centredness and saddist tendencies.
For wealth to spread, apart the empowerment efforts by the state government, Amaechi insisted, well-placed sons and daughters, especially those who, at various times, held key public offices, including members of his administration ought to look in-wards, empathise with the many poor and initiate moves to positively address the fluctuating fortunes of the Okrika people.
That, many believed amounted to inciting the people against their leaders. I disagree and so do many Okrika youths. Year after year power, fame and fortune circulate among nearly the same clique of politicians, some of who, without any clearly discernable personal sources of livelihood except the public’s, swim in affluence to the anger of the have-nots.
In truth, it took the tenure of the serving member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Linda Somiari for Okrikans to know that even lawmakers receive budgetary votes for constituency projects. Where went such funds of previous years?
My Agony is that even such persons believe that Amaechi’s openness amounted to incitement, and rather than hide their faces in shame and plan for future charity schemes and youth empowerment, were sulking.
But Amaechi earned my respect when, after repeating government’s vow to demolish criminal hide-outs, still being protested by Okrikans, sat for refreshments with his friends and brothers, in the council chairman’s office, satisfied that he has spoken to loved ones, the way a good father and son will converse – truthfully, bluntly, sometimes annoyingly but with a sense purpose, misinterpreted or not. Amaechi may not be perfect, none is, but he should not be who he is not.
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.