Ogbakor Ikwerre Hails Buhari …As Peterside Makes Job Creation Priority

From Left: Group Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Plc, Mrs Toyin Sanni, Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr Phillips Oduoza and Managing Director, Financial Market Dealers and Quotation (Fmdq), Mr Bola Onadele, during the signing of Fmdq Bond Listing ceremony in Lagos on Wednesday

The umbrella body of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide has congratulated the President-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari on his resounding victory in the just-concluded presidential poll.
In a statement jointly signed by its President General, Prof. Augustine Onyeozu and Secretary General, Chief Augustine Okajile as well as the President of Ikwerre Development Association, Sir Chris Chinwo, the group said “Ikwerre people, with one accord, proudly identify with the voice of the people which, of course, is the voice of God. We are confident that Buhari will obviously take our great nation to enviable heights.
“We take this opportunity to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat and congratulating Buhari in a very civilized manner”, they said.
The group also appreciated the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, for his achievements in the state, particularly on road construction, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, infrastructure, and welfare services.
According to the group, Amaechi has distinguished himself in a position as high class achiever.
“We also congratulate our son, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the governor of Rivers State and director general of Buhari/Osinbanjo Campaign Organisation for being part of this success. As you round up your tenure as first Ikwerre governor of Rivers State of Nigeria, the ‘Ochi Ohnas’ of Ikwerre and members of the National Executive of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide jointly convey this message of sincere appreciation to you for your outstanding performance to date.
“By your excellent performance, you have earned for yourself a distinguished position as high class achiever, along with the class of ex-governor Alfred Diette-Spiff in the state in the 70’s, in different aspects of development, particularly in road construction, education, provision of health services, agriculture, infrastructure, and welfare services.
“You have set a new standard that subsequent governors of the state will always struggle to meet. Your developmental strides speak for themselves. Everybody can see that Port Harcourt now wears a new look. We have hardly had it so good.
“Above all, you have reduced to the barest minimum the presence of the ugly syndrome called ‘Upland/Riverine dichotomy’, which had been the bane of our otherwise lovely state. We recognize that the fight against this lacuna is critical for peace and stability in this state. We therefore, support this fight and encourage you not to relent. The Ikwerre ethnic nationality is proud of you”, they said.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside says job creation would be given priority in his administration.
This assurance is coming less than 48 hours to the governorship election  in the state. Dr Peterside who said this in Port Harcourt, during a courtesy call on him by Grace Professional, a non-governmental organization in the state, said that the emphasis is on job creation to reduce poverty and  check restiveness among the youths.
He said that Governor Amaechi has already set a standard in the areas of job creation and skill acquisition and his administration would toe the same line.
‘We are going to create skill centres with international certification. Governor Amaechi has set a standard with that.
‘There are lots of sectors to provide opportunities for our youths. The creative economy, ICT, oil and gas, sports and so on” he said.
Dr Dakuku said that the first thing his administration would do is to re-orientate the youths with a view to preparing them for work.
“We need to do massive reorientation for our youths who are used to making quick money” he said.
The governorship hopeful also pledged to improve the educational system of the state, adding that emphasis will no more be placed on certificates.
‘For us to achieve all these things, two things are fundamental, one is addressing the issue of security, providing an enabling environment for industries to thrive.
The second is power. We believe that when the issue of power is addressed, a lot of problems will be solved. He urged the group to sensitise the people to vote for the All Progressives Congress during the election.
The convener of Grace Professionals, Deda Okuyiga said the issue of youth unemployment has been a major concern for every administration in the state, adding that this must be addressed.
She also said that the group decided to support the candidacy of Dakuku Peterside because of his road map to develop Rivers State.

John Bibor