Serve As Promoters Of Rivers Economy – Wike

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on African movie actors, producers, creative writers and directors to serve as promoters of the state as the investors destination of Africa with attendant economic benefits.
Declaring open the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), in Port Harcourt last Saturday, Wike expressed happiness that the array of mega-stars, Federal Government officials, international journalists and businessmen have seen first-hand that Rivers State was safe for investments, contrary to sponsored media reports.
He said: “We have tackled insecurity with decisive steps in conjunction with the nation’s security agencies, so much so that Rivers State has now become one of the safest places to visit, live and do business in the country. As a result, we have been hosting several local and national events to the joy and applause of the organisers, participants and visitors.
“For instance, three weeks ago, we successfully hosted the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party – Nigeria’s current leading opposition party with delegates from the 36 States and other local and international observers. Today, we are hosting AMAA. In the next couple of weeks, we shall be hosting the national conferences of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Bar Association. We have received several delegations from foreign missions in Nigeria and international organisations at bilateral and multilateral levels.
“All these show that our efforts to improve local security are yielding the desired results as Rivers State has, once again, assumed its position as a destination of choice to both local and foreign direct investments. Let me assure you that we are determined to leverage on this in our effort to place Rivers State on the world tourism map.”
The governor added: “As a government, therefore, it is our pleasure to be the host of this year’s AMAA presentations. Apart from its intrinsic value, the event has rekindled important social and economic benefits to the state. Accordingly, we are utilising this opportunity as a platform to showcase the business and tourism potentialities of the state to the world. We invite AMAA and our visitors to tell the story of Rivers State to the investing public at local and international levels.”
The governor outlined the profits available  to the would-be investors.
He said: “For the visitors, it is important to acknowledge that Rivers State occupies a strategic place in the economy of Nigeria. Without doubt, it is the epicentre of the hydrocarbon industry and the nation’s second largest economic unit. Port Harcourt remains a leading commercial enclave and one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. “
Wike described AMAA as Africa’s most prestigious  award, and congratulated the  winners of the different  categories  of awards, urging  them to  continue to  promote quality  movies across the  continent.
The governor  led  other dignitaries  to present awards to winners. Some other prominent  Nigerians  who presented awards include: Former Senate President,  Senator David Mark,  Minister of Information,  Lai Mohammed,  wife of the Rivers State Governor,  Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike,  Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Banigo and former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia.