Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the people of Akabuka, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA) of rapid development.
He gave the assurance at a civic reception held in honour of the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, by the people of Akabuka Community, at the Government Secondary School, Akabuka yesterday.
Noting that the development of their area is a priority to his administration, the Governor assured the Deputy Governor that he is committed to addressing the complaints of her people, who mock her that as a Deputy Governor she has not attracted development to Akabuka, her home town.
“I can assure you, as your Governor, that as soon as we leave here the process for assessing the internal roads will immediately commence, while the Ministry of Education will be here to also assess the state of your school, and what we need to do, we will do immediately.
“I have only one request, and it is that we need peace. We want everybody, just as the chairman of the occasion said, to embrace peace with openness”, the Governor stated.
He emphasised that the development of any community is dependent on the people’s determination to pursue peace at all costs.
According to the State’s Chief Executive, his administration recognizes that the promotion of peace is the only way to go, noting that he is particularly excited that the State is moving forward because of the return of peace.
“We can’t develop in an environment of chaos. We can’t attract any project to Akabuka when there is a problem. Our disposition has always been towards maintaining peace because it is the only way we can move forward”, he emphasised.
The Governor used the occasion to thank the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, for playing a pivotal role in his emergence as the Governor, and also commended other stakeholders for their support, and cooperation with his administration.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, revealed how her kinsmen decried her inability to attract development to the area, describing the situation as troubling and of serious concern to her.
She thanked President Bola Ahamed Tinubu, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, former Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, and Desmond Akawor in the significant roles they played in her public service.
Prof. Odu expressed gratitude to her kinsmen for the honour being done to her, by putting together such a huge event.
She noted that it epitomizes the profound love they have for her, which, she noted, has never been experienced in the community for a long time.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Jason Osai, appreciated the Governor for choosing peace over crisis.
He described the Deputy Governor as a role model, not just for the people of Akabuka, but the entire Orashi region and the State.
- Kenoye is the Director, Government House Press.