Wike Hammers On Integrity, Patriotism, Honesty

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the state government would always identify with Rivers men and women whose hallmarks are integrity, hard-work and patriotism.

Wike made the remark while speaking at the launching of the Biography/Art Exhibition/Book Fair in honour of the late Captain Elechi Amadi (rtd) at the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Wike explained that the exhibition of qualities that engender development as exemplified by the late literary icon, Captain Elechi Amadi was the only way to grow the society.

“As a government, we will like to identify with persons who imbibe the qualities of integrity, hard-work and patriotism and by this we are working towards encouraging our young ones to be able to take back the principles these mentors have delivered in their life time,” the governor stated.

The governor observed that although the late Captain Elechi Amadi died at a time when his wise counsel was most needed, the government and good people of Rivers State are consoled by the fact that he contributed immensely to the development of the state and nation at large.

He stressed the need for the re-introduction of History and Civic Education in both the primary and secondary school curriculum, to enable the younger generation to know basic history about their place of origin.

The Chairman of the occasion and former chief judge of the state, Justice Iche Ndu (rtd) said the launching of late Captain Elechi Amadi’s Biography was an important event as the book was geared towards showcasing the life and times of the literary icon.

Justice Ndu, who described late Captain Amadi as a man who was very important in the society, a responsible Ikwerre man and distinguished Rivers man and detribalised Nigerian, decried lack of reading culture among Nigerians, especially youth.

Speaking while reviewing the book, Professor Emeritus, Otonti Nduka, said the book was a biographical sketch of the life and times of Captain Elechi Amadi, describing him as a man of many parts who conducted himself as an example of a man of integrity.

In the review entitled “Captain Elechi Amadi (rtd) – An Unassuming Great Nigerian”, Nduka identified certain elements and characteristics which set late Captain Amadi out as an outstanding individual.

He stressed that from the accounts of his background and circumstances, he was a true son of the soil, who served his community, Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality, Rivers State and Nigeria with dedication which earned him many awards and recognitions, including the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), and recommended the book to the general public as they will find it to be a mine of information presented on the life and times of late Captain Elechi Amadi.

Presenting the book, the Chairman, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba said late Captain Elechi Amadi left legacies worthy of emulation before his departure as his books are adorned in all parts of Nigeria and even beyond, and commended the State Burial Committee for packaging a comprehensive burial programme that would highlight the antecedents of the literary icon.

He decried the situation where the social media has taken over the attention of youth while reading habit, local languages and the people’s culture, are going into extinction, stressing the need to reverse the ugly trend.

In his vote of thanks, the Chairman State Burial Committee, Hon. Frank Owhor, commended Governor Nyesom Wike for according the late sage a state burial, expressing the hope that the honour done him would spur others into greater service to God and humanity in order to be celebrated.