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Sylva Begs Bayelsans For Forgiveness
Head of Service, Rivers State, Barrister Rufus Godwins (left), presenting a Merit Award to a civil servant in the office of the Head of Service, Mr. George Geoffrey, during Civil Service Week celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday Photo: Chris Monyanaga
Bayelsa State immediate past Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva has pleaded with his kinsmen and women of Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area to forgive him for not initiating development projects in the area for six years he ruled the state.
Sylva, believed to be nursing ambition for another shot at Creek Haven, the seat of Bayelsa State Government, while speaking at a unity rally and reception held in his honour as a former governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, said he has learnt his lessons, declaring, “if God can forgive all our trespasses, I believe you will also forgive me.”
According to Sylva, his political travails in the hands of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that led to his being denied the party’s ticket to run for second term in office as governor and his return as the state Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have opened his eyes to the fact that only God can forgive.
According to Sylva,”If I have learnt any lesson from my travails, it is only the fact that it is only God that forgives. I have forgiven those that offended me, and also urge those of you that I have offended to forgive me.”
The former governor, who described the decision by the traditional ruler and the Council of Chiefs in Okpoama Kingdom to honour him as “a blessing”, urged the community to consider the occasion as an opportunity indication for renewed unity.
“If you think you have sea deity, you have not seen anything yet. God is the only beginning for us. Today is not only a day for unity but it will bring development. Let us do away with plague of poverty. The Lord has blessed us. If you do away with it, it is possible because God said so.”
Traditional Ruler of the Okpoama Kingdom, King Ebitimi Banigo while conferring on Sylva a chieftaincy title, described him as a true leader, and commended his ability to stand tall to unite his people as political leader.
Banigo, who described Sylva as a prophet not recognized in his home town, said, “Today, we are putting that behind us and recognizing our son as a true gift from us to the nation and the world. It is easy to sit up and take notice. But it is another to sit up and take action. He has turn displeasure into success. He is a man of incredible character.”
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of Okpoama Unity Forum,Comrade Ebinimi Omubo, had said the decision to organise the unity rally to coincide with the chieftaincy title bestowed on Sylva was based on the need to bring together the people of the community and forge a common front, adding that “the unity rally is to unite our people and we are grateful to God for blessing us with Chief Timipre Sylva.”
Political observers believe that Sylva, who was publicly stoned for non-performance during his tenure as governor has used the programme as launching pad for his new party.
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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