‘Amaechi Didn’t Shun PDP Govs’

Governor Chibuike Amaechi arrived Abuja yesterday morning after speaking at the Commonwealth Observance Day which held at the Westminster Abbey in London.

A statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said that contrary to rumours and speculations in some quarters that the governor shunned the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Amaechi was one of the three high profile speakers at the event which had as its theme: “Opportunity Through Enterprise”.

“Governor Amaechi was in the United Kingdom to make Nigeria proud at the historic event,” Semenitari said.

Mrs. Semenitari said that since 1973, Commonwealth Day has been marked on the second Monday in March by a unique multi-faith observance where globally recognised persons who are embodiments of the year’s theme are invited to deliver evidence based testimonials.

“This year, Governor Amaechi was invited several months ago to speak alongside Virgin Atlantic’s Richard Branson and Executive Director of Avaaz, Rickel Patel, the largest online activist community,” she stated.

“One wonders why mischief makers will insinuate that Governor Amaechi shunned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, when in actual fact he was flying the Nigerian flag at this historic global event,” Mrs. Semenitari said.

The commissioner described the governor as a loyal party man who would always participate in activities of the PDP but for the clash in date.

Mrs. Semenitari lauded Governor Amaechi’s towering international profile which earned him a shirt at the Commonwealth forum describing it as recognition of his landmark achievements anchored on transparency and accountability.

“The time has come for detractors to acknowledge the fact that mudslinging cannot overshadow the global recognition given to a people-oriented governor. “Governor Amaechi remains committed to the building of our nation Nigeria and the democratic ideals of his party, the PDP and no amount of blackmail can change this incontrovertible fact,” Mrs. Semenitari said.

“The time has come for detractors to acknowledge the fact that mudslinging cannot overshadow the global recognition given to a people-oriented governor.

“Governor Amaechi remains committed to the building of our nation Nigeria and the democratic ideals of his party, the PDP and no amount of blackmail can change this incontrovertible fact,” Mrs. Semenitari said.

Speaking at the event, Governor Amaechi shared the story of how some young persons in Rivers State are making giant strides through the various wealth creation and entrepreneurship opportunities provided by the Rivers State Government.

He made particular mention of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) agric/agro allied business initiative which objective was to create wealth, guarantee grassroots independence and provide opportunity through enterprise for the rural poor.

He also talked about the industry of urban youth in Rivers State.

“Our urban youth have also achieved great things,” Governor Amaechi said. “For instance, Dabo Etela and Apola Opuda, two young men from Port Harcourt, have built a social enterprise called ‘Converge’  a forum of over 1000 young innovators and entrepreneurs, converging to share ideas, pool resources, and indeed create ‘Opportunity through Enterprise.”

Singling out two out of the 28 beneficiaries of the RSSDA scheme, Ebenezer Ikashi, who owns The Servant Quick Food Services in Ahoada, and Ella Stella Sharon, a cement dealer from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, for mention ,Governor Amaechi said he was very thankful to all the beneficiaries of the scheme as well as Etela and Opuda, “for their energy and hard work, for transforming their communities, and for showing us in government that youth entrepreneurship is the best vehicle for inclusive growth.”

Governor Amaechi was invited to speak at this year’s observance because of “his incredible achievements at the national level, his personal commitment to policies that encourage enterprise and create opportunity and not least his personal engagement.”

The ceremony was attended by the Commonwealth Secretary General, Commonwealth High Commissioners to the United Kingdom, and senior representatives of Her Majesty’s government.

Unfortunately, the Queen who was billed to attend the event, cancelled as a result of a stomach bug.