The Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah, has declared that he would not relent in promoting tourism and hospitality in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
A press release signed by his   Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, last  Monday, and made available to The Tide, said Bro. Obuah made the declaration shortly after receiving the prestigious award from the management of the nation’s top tabloid, The Sun Newspaper, in his office in Port Harcourt.
Obuah said he would seize every opportunity given to him by God to engage in ventures that would improve the welfare of humanity.
At a brief ceremony which was witnessed by senior management of The Sun group of Newspapers, led by its Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, principal officers of RIWAMA, leadership of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) Legislative Assembly, some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Special Advisers to Governor Nyesom Wike, former Commissioners, Bro. Obuah said his foray into the hospitality and tourism industry was driven by his passion to create employment opportunities to the teeming youths in the state as well as making Omoku, the headquarters of ONELGA, the tourism destination of the state.
Bro. Obuah, who is the immediate past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, described The Sun newspaper as a credible news medium where investigative journalism is exemplified, praying that the Almighty God would make the newspaper to excel beyond the shores of Nigeria.
He said he had since learnt that every act of benevolence shown to mankind is richly rewarded by God, adding that it gave him the conviction and motivation to do more.
Bro Obuah, who is also the Founder/Sole Sponsor of Go-Round Football Club of Omoku, said he regarded his choice for the award as a privilege and an act of grace as, according to him, there were tens of thousands of others eminently qualified for the award.
He expressed gratitude to God and to the cross-section of Nigerians who deemed him fit for the award and pledged his devotion to the promotion of hospitality and tourism not only in Rivers State but Nigeria as a whole.
“I draw my inspiration from the exemplary style of His Excellency, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Governor of Rivers State who is leaving no stone unturned to make Rivers State the tourism hub of the nation.
“I dedicate this award and many more to come, first to God Almighty whose abundant Grace on me made this possible; to Governor Wike, ‘Mr. Projects’ and the Governor of our time, and to the generality of thegood people of Rivers State and the less privileged in society for their continued support to what we are doing in the State”, said Obuah.
He berated former Governor Rotimi Amaechi over attempts to demolish his Krisdera Hotels and Resorts, an edifice which today has showcased him to the world.
“My gratitude goes to Governor Nyesom Wike who in spite of all odds stood by me and revoked what the former governor wanted to do to the hotel.  Amaechi knew that the hotel would bring development, employment and tourism for our people, but because of political differences, he felt it should be demolished”, Bro. Obuah said.
Earlier, while handing over the award plaque and certificate of Award to Bro. Obuah, the Managing Director/Editor-in-chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, had commended Bro. Obuah for what he called his tireless quest for hospitality and humanitarian services to mankind.
He also revealed that the award presentation to the RIWAMA boss would alongside other recipients, be aired on three national and cable television channels November 28, 2020 with the title: “The Sun Award Night”.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana