Jonathan, Makarfi Laud Wike On Golden Jubilee

Former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has commended Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for organising what he described as “comprehensive” Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Lecture at Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, last Wednesday, in Port Harcourt, tagged, “Democracy and Development in Nigeria: The Case of Rivers State”, the former president observed that the programme covers all aspects of the state.
In his words, “Everyday I watch television, I see programmes going on. Commissioning of projects is taking place. It takes somebody with commitment; somebody with foresight, and somebody with a strong team to achieve all these”.
The former president stated that he was not surprised that Wike was living up to the expectations of the people, because as a minister, he excelled.
He said: “Having had the opportunity to serve at the state level for eight years and at the centre for eight years, I can attest to the fact that Wike is working.
“Let me specifically thank the governor of Rivers State, somebody who worked with me, somebody I believe in. That is why I conferred on him the prestigious title of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON),” Jonathan said.
The former president used the forum to call for more equitable treatment of minorities as he called for reforms to ensure that more resources get to the states, rather than the interventionist agencies already affected by politics.
Jonathan also called for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference Report, which he said, will help the nation address the numerous development challenges facing it.
He said that the states in the Niger Delta have achieved more in terms of development since they started accessing 13 per cent derivation than when interventionist agencies operated.
According to him, due to political influence on the interventionist agencies, the entire Niger Delta is replete with abandoned projects.
Also speaking, National Caretaker Committee Chairman of People Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said only PDP has the capacity to embark on the restructuring of the country.
He said: “In PDP, we believe that our Federation needs to be fixed. We will ensure reforms in a manner that every federating unit will know that they will not be abandoned.”
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion and pioneer Commissioner for Finance, Prof. Lawrence Ekpebu, had said the state had come a long way, and praised the resilience, bravery and courage of the people.
He noted that, “Rivers State has grown to be a tiger among other states of the federation”.
Ekpebu said the state will benefit by remaining in the federation and managing its resources to the benefit of its people than to stand alone, recalling that the vision of Gen. Yakubu Gowon was to give the people an identity.
Guest lecturer, Prof. Godini Darah, in his lead paper, argued that Rivers State was key to the economy of the country.
Darah submitted that the creation of states in 1967, enhanced democracy as it was built on equitability and competition.
He, however, suggested that Rivers State needs to pursue a development agenda that will enhance its human and material resources, adding, “let us move from being Treasure Base of Nigeria to Treasure Base of Rivers People.”
Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, in his remarks, stated that the creation of Rivers State gave the people self identity, emphasizing that today the state has become a major economic base of the country.
According to him, “The resources gotten here have helped in the overall development of the country.”