Governor Chibuike Amaechi says the upcoming 2015 elections will serve as an acid test on the popularity of the present Federal Government.
Addressing youth of Rivers State as part of his birthday celebration activities  in Government House, Port Harcourt, he described 2015 elections as, “a referendum on the Federal Government.”
He challenged the youth to rise to the challenge of seeking an accountable and transparent government, stressing that the history of Rivers State and Nigeria is replete with struggle to demand better governance.
The Chairman of Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) had earlier  observed at a special prayer session to mark this year’s Children’s Day that the Chibok Girls abduction saga marks  a new beginning for the country.
“The story of the Chibok girls will not end today”, he said, adding that  “It is the story of a new beginning for the country. So, everybody must rise up and demand for a better government’’.
While challenging the youth to conduct a comparative assessment of all the states being governed by governors in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), he argued that by  far, those led by APC were  ahead of  those led by PDP considering landmarks on ground.
Amaechi urged the youth to carry out a personal comparison  of statistics and decide on which party they will vote. For him, “I continue to tell Rivers people that I can show the world what I have done”.
He said he is satisfied that he is leaving a satisfied man, “before we leave you will see me on top”, he added.
Amaechi, who used the interactive forum he holds with the youth on every of his birthday to list his achievements said, “We have furnished and equipped 300 model primary schools. What I met was 1,300 six classroom blocks with no toilets and nothing. Now, we have 14 classroom blocks with toilets and other facilities”.
On the model secondary schools, he said he will ensure two are commissioned in addition to the one at Eleme, reasoning that the next administration should continue from where he stopped.
On health, he noted  that so far, about 150 new model health centres with three referrals have been built and equipped, noting that N500million is set aside yearly for free medical bills.
In agriculture, he  stated that many farms have been established such as the Banana farm, the Songhai farm and the resuscitated RISONPALM as a way to create employment.
Though the state is still battling to  stabilize power, he explained that the time all the power stations are completed, the state will generate over 700 megawatts of power enough to sell to other states.
The governor, however, frowned at the current state of security in the state, recalling that past commissioner of police had encouraged the return of criminals to the state.
Against the current poor state of security in the state and country in general, the Rivers State governor urged the youth to rise up and vote out the present government, saying, “the only way we can live in peace is to vote out the PDP. We must make sure that they don’t have enough votes to rig. You people must get up and stop talking about money…We have never had these high level of common stealing in Nigeria before.’’
In the same vein, General Overseer of Abundant Life Evangelical Mission, Apostle Eugene Ogu has called on every member of the society to see children’s upbringing as their responsibility.
Speaking at a special interdenominational service to mark the Children’s Day and pray for the release of the Chibok school girls in Port Harcourt, the cleric observed that without the safety of children, the nation’s future is at risk.
He emphasized that everybody must join hands to ensure that the spiritual, physical and moral well being of the child are insured.
Ogu also challenged government to be proactive, while reasoning that the state of insecurity has instilled fear in children from even going to school.
Earlier, Commissioner for Social Welfare, Joe Poroma lauded the governor for initiating the prayer service as it will go a long way to send message across the country on the needs of children.
He urged wealthy individuals to also assist in catering for the needs of children in their communities.