As activities to mark the state Golden Jubilee anniversary gathers momentum, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says his administration was on the path to achieve a new vision for posterity.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee Traditional Rulers Day celebrations tagged: “Traditional Institution In Nigeria and the Challenge of Re-Engineering Viable Local Economies”, at Obi Wali International Conference Centre, last Wednesday, in Port Harcourt, Wike held that plans have begun to give the state a better future.
He said, “This celebration provides us opportunity to plan where this state will be in the next 50 years, and it’s the best way to immortalize the sacrifices of our founding fathers.”
The governor asserted that the celebrations underscore the liberation of the people from oppression, as it gave them the opportunity to be free and assert themselves in the polity.
Wike said traditional rulers played great role in the state’s creation and development of the state, arguing that they still have greater role to play since they exert influence on their subjects at the grassroots.
It’s against this backdrop, he explained that his administration was ensuring that the status of the traditional institution was upgraded to ensure that government policies and programmes are embraced at the local areas, and therefore, enjoined the local government councils to incorporate them in their activities.
Urging royal fathers to remain apolitical, Wike pointed out that they have huge responsibilities to develop the youth and drive local economy, while decrying the rising use of illicit drugs and violence at the rural areas.
He nonetheless submitted that his administration was working hard to put the state on the path of development, emphasizing that, “We are on the way to achieve a new vision for Rivers State.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and Amayanabo of Opobo Kingodm, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, described the celebrations as a dream come true for River State.
As drivers of the local economy and development, Jaja suggested that government can exploit the roles of the traditional institution to transform the state.
He thanked the governor for the people-oriented projects done over the years, as he urged him not to relent in the quest to move the state forward.
In his remarks, the first governor and military administrator of Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, assured that the state has come to stay and was of age now.
The Amayanabo of Twon Brass sued for unity among the people, and wished the governor and people of the state a great future.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has sued for unity among traditional rulers in the state, just as the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, challenged traditional rulers to partner government at all levels to engender peace and sustainable development for the betterment of all.
He said, “We must be ready to explore new avenues and ideas as veritable tools of peace and engagement and traditional rulers need to be fully engaged.”