Politics
Wike, Symbol Of National Unity – El- Rufai
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has been described as a great Nigerian leader who believes in the unity and progress of the nation.
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai made the remark while inaugurating the Eneka/Igbo Etche Road at Eneka in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Thursday.
El- Rufai commended Governor Wike and the people of Rivers State for voting a president of southern extraction, noting that the decision was in the interest of national unity and justice rather than political sentiments.
The Kaduna State governor pointed out that the decision of the Northern APC Governors that power should shift to the South after the eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari was not only in the interest of national unity but based on the onerous need to make Nigeria a prosperous and egalitarian society.
El-Rufai who commended Governor Wike over his development strides in Rivers State, urged him to work with other patriotic leaders in the country to work for the common good of Nigerians.
Governor Wike, still on Thursday, inaugurated the new library, archive and museum project constructed by the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council at its Secretariat in Port Harcourt.
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Wike said the facility would preserve the cumulative cultural heritage, norms and values of Rivers people for posterity.
Describing Rivers State as rich in divers culture and historical precepts, Governor Wike lauded the vision of the Traditional Rulers Council under the leadership of the Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Dauglas Jaja (Jeki V) for puting in place the monumental project that would serve as the custodian of customs, practices, artifacts, and indigenous values of Rivers people, noting that history will be kind to the Opobo monarch and his royal colleagues for their initiative.
On Wednesday, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State inaugurated the newly constructed Mgbuoba/Ozuoba/Ada George junction flyover.
In his remark, the Benue State Governor who described Governor Wike as a bridge builder and an epitome of good governance, said the litany of projects delivered by him in Rivers State has impacted positively on the lives of the people.
He rated Governor Wike as foremost among the 36 state governors in the delivery of critical infrastructure and commended the Rivers State Governor for his uncommon leadership vision.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, Governor Wike had in company of his Benue counterpart, among other dignitaries, inaugurated the newly reconstructed Government Secondary School, Kpor in Gokana Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike has, in commemoration of the 2023 Easter celebration urged christians to use the period of Easter to emulate Jesus Christ by making sacrifices that will advance the course of development.
In an Easter message, signed by the Governor’s Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, Governor Wike said that Easter exemplifies the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ to save mankind, noting that as individuals, Christians must take into consideration the welfare of others.
He called on the people of Rivers State to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the state as they reflect on the ideals of Good Friday and Easter celebrations.
Governor Wike, who thanked Rivers people for their unflinching support, assured the people that he will continue to make sacrifices for the state and Nigeria as a whole, defend her interests and ensure that the people always enjoyed good governance.
By: Taneh Beemene
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby