· Ekweremadu: Rivers governor has redefined governance process
Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, last weekend added to his pool another award of excellence, this time from Peoples Club of Nigeria International.
The club also honoured High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs for his philanthropic services to the people of Rivers State and beyond.
This also came as Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said Wike has redefined the governance process, reaching out to the electorate through projects.
Presenting the awards in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 40th anniversary of Port Harcourt branch of Peoples Club of Nigeria International, Chairman of the club, Ebere Owhonda, stated that the club is a non-political association and that its awards were not for any political reasons but to promote diligence.
According to him, “Peoples Club is an exclusive, elite social club of the most distinguished and eminent Nigerians who appreciate the good things of life.
“Port Harcourt branch is a very innovative, unique and reformed branch of the club. We are non-profit, non-political and non-partisan. Our mission is to offer our members comfortable environment where they would grow and prosper socially. Our affairs are devoid of occultism, politics, personal acrimony or animosity, ethnicity and racism.â€
He said Wike was honoured with the Award of Excellence in Good Leadership because of the numerous people-oriented projects he has executed in the state.
“For the three years Wike has been in office as governor of the state, we have seen an unprecedented number and quality of projects that we have not seen in any past administration in the state. It is more remarkable that these projects are coming despite the harsh economic situation in the country.
“The award is to encourage the governor to do more for the people of the state as that is the legacy we expect from any leader at this point of our developmental lives,†Owhonda said.
He also stated that Lulu-Briggs was honoured for his humanitarian services to the people through the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation especially the free eye care/medical outreach; Centre for Cardio/Parkinson Diseases and health facility he built at the University of Port Harcourt.
In his address, Chairman of the occasion and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onueze Okocha (SAN), said the Peoples Club has over the years maintained a dignity that most elite clubs in the country would find difficult to match.
He expressed satisfaction with the growth of the club and thanked the members for recognising and rewarding hard work in the persons of Wike, Lulu-Briggs and other pioneer members of the club.
In his response, Wike, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Chief Sylvanus Nwankwo, said he is motivated do more for the people because they deserve the best.
He assured the people of the state that he remains focused and would deliver more people-oriented projects in the life of his administration.
The governor also congratulated Lulu-Briggs for the humanitarian services he has been rendering to the people.
“If all political and captains of industry will protect and work for the interest of the people instead of seeking who to pull down or destroy, this state will be a better place,†he said.
The club also honoured pioneer members of the club who had sustained their membership for the past 40 years. These included the Paramount Ruler of Elekahia, Eze Anthony Akarolo (Amangada of Rebisi XI), and Chief Sam Iwuchukwu (Aku Udo Nnewi).
Meanwhile, Ekweremadu said Wike has redefined the governance process, reaching out to the electorate through projects.
Speaking yesterday at Amadi-Ama, Port Harcourt, while inaugurating seven new internal roads as part of activities marking the third anniversary of Wike in office, Ekweremadu said the state governor would be re-elected on the premise of his performance, noting that all those ganging up against him would fail woefully.
He noted that for two weeks, Rivers State has been in the news for positive reasons, as daily inauguration of great projects has taken over the airwaves.
