NIPR: Wike ‘Guilty’ of Over-performance

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has declared that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is ‘guilty’ of over-performance based on his achievements in three years as governor.

The National President of NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo, made the declaration yesterday at the Conference of the Rivers State Chapter of the institute in Port Harcourt during the investiture of the governor as a patron of the state branch of the institute.

The NIPR also honoured the Rivers State Governor as an honorary fellow of the institute in recognition of his outstanding developmental strides and commitment to the service of humanity.

Sirajo commended the governor for the outstanding infrastructural development in the state which has positively improved the economy of the state.

His words: “I am thrilled by the achievements of the governor in the education sector, especially the progressive increase of budgetary allocation to enhance access to education.

“The governor is guilty of over-performing and we sentence him to a time of eternal accolades.”
He stated that Wike was nominated by the Rivers State chapter of the institute, with the national body making relevant investigations to confirm the performance of the governor.

He noted that since 2012, only three investitures of this nature had been held by the NIPR because the institute believes in honouring only persons of merit.
“We consider excellence in our awards. Since you assumed office, you have focused on the delivery of election promises,” he said.

Responding, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, thanked the NIPR for the honour done to Rivers State, saying that he is only a symbol of the state.

He assured the institute that he would sustain the tempo of development in the state because he runs an administration that focuses on the rapid growth of the state.

He urged the leadership of the NIPR to work towards the sustenance of democracy, rule of law and the unity of the country.

“2019 is key to the survival of this country. If we get it right, I know what will happen. But if we don’t get it right, I don’t know what will happen. The NIPR should also lend her voice to credible polls in the country,” he said.

Wike berated the authorities for persecuting the Senate as an institution, noting that linking the Senate President with armed robbery has negative implications for the economy as investors will shun the country. He said though nobody is above the law, laid down processes must be followed in the discharge of duties by security agencies.
He noted that the unfortunate use of federal security agencies for political persecution started in Rivers State, pointing out that other leaders kept quiet at the critical time when they needed to challenge the evil.

“We must talk about the unity and survival of this country. If there is no Nigeria, there will be no NIPR. Can you talk about democracy, when there is no rule of law and when there is serious impunity?” Wike asked.
The governor said that the current condition of the country does not signal any hope.

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