When in 2015, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the then outgoing Minister of State for Education, contested and won the governorship election in Rivers State, not many believed he would remain in office to complete his four-year term.
\nAt that time, many, especially those from the opposition, preferred to call him all sorts of unpalatable and unprintable names.
\nSome called him caretaker Governor, others called him temporary Governor while some called him Acting Governor.
\nThese names were based on their strong conviction that Nyesom Wike, coming from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party that is not in control of the Federal Government would be removed by the Election Petitions Tribunal.
\nSurprisingly, his victory was validated by the Supreme Court which ultimately consolidated his position as Executive Governor of Rivers State.
\nNyesom Wike has since completed his first tenure and also contested and won his second tenure as Governor of Rivers State.
\nAlthough the experiences of the election were not a pleasant one, it is gratifying to note that the event has come and gone and Rivers people are thankful to God for the victory of Nyesom Wike at the polls.
\nAs a demonstration of their thankfulness many Christian denominations across the state held services to thank God for the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike at the polls, considering the peculiar environment in which the election was held.
\nWith the unprecedented level of military involvement in the election, a development never witnessed in the nation\u2019s political history and experience, not many hoped that the incumbent had any chance of winning.
\nThat was why the thanksgiving that heralded his second-term victory was worth the while.
\nWhat is most interesting is that the man who was nicknamed caretaker Governor has not only completed his first term in office but also celebrated 100 days in his second tenure.
\nThis is why the celebration that greeted the first 100 days into the second tenure of Governor Nyesom Wike was expedient, especially given the impression that most governors normally do not do well in their second tenure.
\nWith the array of projects inaugurated in the areas of roads, schools, markets and housing, Governor Wike has left no one in doubt that he prepared himself for the task of governance.
\nHe has also changed the notion that most second-tenure governors do not do well in projects delivery.
\nJust within 100 days in office, Governor Nyesom Wike, according to critical observers, has surpassed the performance of some governors in four years.
\nAccording to them, the high impact projects commissioned during the 100 days anniversary have shown that the governor is developing the state for the future.
\nIt also shows the extent to which the governor is committed to meeting the human capital, social, educational, and infrastructural needs of the people of the state.
\nHis interest in the development of sports in the state culminated in the establishment of the Real Madrid Academy while the commissioning of Civil Servants quarters and the Labour House are another mind boggling achievements and a clear demonstration of Governor Wike\u2019s labour-friendly disposition.
\nNo doubt the Real Madrid Academy will boost sports development in the state and consequently take young boys and girls off the streets, while the NLC House would provide favourable environment for labour leaders to articulate labour related issues.
\nThe focus the state Chief Executive has placed on football development in the state is born out of the knowledge that football is a big money spinner.
\nThe likes of Joseph Yobo, Taribo West, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Peter Rufai to mention but a few grew to stardom and attained international recognition through football.
\nNo doubt the introduction of the Real Madrid Football Academy would groom football talents that would step into the shoes of former football stars of Rivers extraction.
\nTo showcase his worker-friendly disposition, the state governor also embarked on the construction of Civil Servants quarters.
\nWhile we appeal to the state government to ensure that the houses are allocated to genuine civil servants, we also advised would-be occupants of the quarter to adopt high maintenance standards so that other workers in the state can also benefit when they leave the service.
\nGovernor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike needs to be highly commended for initiating these laudable projects within the first 100 days of his second tenure in office.
\nTo state the obvious, Rivers people are very happy with the achievements of the Governor in just 100 days in office.
\nIt is also their expectation that the labour-friendly governor will extend this good gesture to the welfare of civil servants through promotion of deserving staff and payment of promotion benefits as well as payment of gratuities and pensions to retired staff who are yet to be paid their entitlements.
\nIn all, Governor Wike\u2019s second-tenure 100 days in office is a celebration of excellence in governance.
\nIt has also sent a clear message to Rivers people that there will be no dull moment in the state in project execution and inauguration during the governor\u2019s second term in office.
\nWhat he needs, therefore, is our collective support and encouragement, not vilification.
\nDeeyah is of Radio Rivers FM.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul Deeyah<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When in 2015, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the then outgoing Minister of State for Education, contested and won the governorship election in Rivers State, not many believed he would remain in office to complete his four-year term. At that time, many, especially those from the opposition, preferred to call him all sorts of unpalatable and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[22],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n