Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the people of the state now feel liberated under his administration. According to Fubara, the feeling of liberation has propelled the people to organise special thanksgiving for his legal victory in the 23 local councils of the state without his prompting.
The governor stated this at a special ceremony organised by the Okrika Council of Chiefs and the people of Okrika to honour the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom, which was held at the Okrika National School field yesterday.
The governor said the basis of development is anchored on peace, noting that nobody can ever get the best out of himself or from the society without a measure of peace.
“If you love your state, you will not be part of anything that will bring destruction to it. It doesn’t matter who the person is. That is what people should understand.
“And for those of us who chose peace, it is not because we are weak but because we know and value this state. Whatever achievement that has been recorded by the previous administration, it is important that we sustain it. And that is the reason we toe the path of peace,” he said.
Speaking further, Fubara said: “Look at what is happening in the 23 local government areas of the state. I am not asking anybody to go round to do thanksgiving as some of you might be thinking.
“These are people who wake up in the morning and say we have been liberated. We want to tell people that we exist. “And every day you are seeing the numbers; this is not artificial; this is organic support. And why are we getting it? It is because of the peace that we stand for.”
The governor said public office holders should not talk carelessly, stressing that because he is not a noise maker but a prudent leader, his achievements would be displayed publicly at the appropriate time.
Fubara promised to commence reconstruction work on the Isaka Community Landing Jetty and activate the sand filling project that was abandoned in the area. He also pronounced the upgrade, from second class status to a first class status, the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits.
In his welcome address, former Minister of Transport, Chief Abiye Sekibo, said the Wakirike nation was celebrating one of their own, King Ateke Tom, who has contributed to the prevailing peace in its various communities and the Niger Delta.
Sekibo, who extended the congratulation of the people to Fubara over his electoral victory, commended him for his decision to ensure the reign of peace, assuring him that Wakirike Be Se would continue to support his administration into its second tenure.
