Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has tasked commissioners, heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to begin compilation of relevant information required to document as successes, covering from 2015, when his administration started.
Wike stated that he was determined to do a proper handover to his successor despite the fact that his predecessor did not do a proper handover to him.
This is even as the Rivers State House Assembly has screened and confirmed five commissioner-nominees as part of efforts of the Legislative arm to consolidate the gains of the infrastructure development agenda of the NEW Rivers Vision in the state; just as both the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike, and the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Barrister George Ariolu, congratulated Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, over his screening, confirmation and swearing-in as the new Rivers State commissioner for education by the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The Rivers State governor gave the charge after he had sworn-in five new commissioners, last Saturday, at the Executive Chamber of Government House in Port Harcourt.
The commissioners are Hon. Deinma Iyalla, assigned to the Ministry of Special Projects; Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom to the Ministry of Education; Hon. Boma Iyaye to the Ministry Local Government Affairs; Hon. Christopher Green as Commissioner for Sports; and Burabe Anea-Bari Donald posted to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.
Wike explained that his administration was in its last lap and there was need for the different ministries to begin compiling records of their activities in lieu of handing over day.
“Everybody should, as a matter of fact, put the records of their various ministries together. You won’t wait till May 29, 2023. You have to start now since this administration started in 2015. State what we have done, and by the grace of God, when the new person (governor) comes, he will have a handover note, and it will not be like me who didn’t get a handover note.
“Everything we have done, all the records. What we have bought from ministry to ministry, you have to start compiling them. I don’t want to hear a situation where you will say there is no time, there is plenty of time. You don’t need to wait till the last day. That is why things are difficult for some people.”
Wike told the newly sworn-in commissioners that his administration was in its finishing stage and so much was required of them to ensure a good ending.
He urged them to serve the state with incontestable passion, demonstrate competence and leave an indelible imprint in their various ministries of posting.
The governor acknowledged that some of them had served the state in different capacity as former commissioners and special advisers.
He, however, urged them to utilise this present opportunity to further contribute to the development of the state.
“It is not how long that you stayed in office that can make the difference. It is the passion and commitment that you give to it. You can be in office for six months and people will see your impact, and your impact will be known. But if you cannot do it within that period, even if they allowed you to stay ten years, you may not also be able to carry it out.”
The Rivers State governor described as an aberration the appointment of someone without requisite intellectual acumen to represent the state as a minister in the Federal Executive Council.
“I have never seen an embarrassment like that in my life. Yes, you must appoint those who are loyal, but educated people are also loyal. It has never happened in our state. Everything cannot be politics. The image of the state is key.”
Wike also informed that his administration has completed more projects that are scheduled for inauguration.
He, therefore, stated that such projects’ inauguration ceremony would commence early August 2022 and would last for two weeks.
Earlier, the Rivers State House Assembly, had last Friday, screened and confirmed five commissioner-nominees on the floor of the house at the assembly complex.
The screening of the nominees was part of efforts of the Legislative arm to consolidate the infrastructure development agenda of the Executive.
The confirmation of the commissioner-nominees follows a letter from the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to the state assembly for the screening.
The commissioner-nominees screened include, Deinma Iyalla, Prof Chinedu Wogu, Boma Iyaye, Christopher Green, and Burabe Anea-Bari Donald.
Speaking at the plenary, Speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, appealed to the lawmakers to allow one of the nominees, Boma Iyaye, who was a member of the house to take a bow and leave the chamber, which was granted.
However, others went through the proper screening process on the floor of the house.
In his submission, Ibani said the screened commissioner-designates were expected to effectively consolidate on the infrastructure gains already made by the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration.
During the screening, some of the lawmakers poured encomiums on the commissioner-designate who had served the state before.
One of the screened and confirmed commissioner-designates, Christopher Green, who is the current chairman of Rivers State Football Federation (RSFF), said Rivers United, under his watch, has done well, and promised not to relent, but to keep the tempo higher.
In his remarks, Prof Chinedu Wogu, who is an educationist, after being screened and confirmed, said there was need for the Federal Government to find lasting solution to the government and Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) impasse for the good of the nation’s education system.
Reacting, the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike, congratulated Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, over his screening, confirmation and swearing-in as the Rivers State commissioner for education by the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Nwanosike described Mmom, who is a Professor of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Port Harcourt, as a round peg in a round hole.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Prince Chris Omodu, last Saturday, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the Ikwerre-born academic colossus would bring his rich academic experience to bear in enhancing the NEW Rivers Vision of Governor Nyesom Wike, and reposition the educational system of the state..
He explained that Mmom belongs to several academic bodies, headed diverse committees and centres of the University of Port Harcourt, and rose from the Head of Department to Dean of Faculty of Management Sciences of the revered institution of higher learning.
Nwanosike added that Ikwerre people were extremely happy over Mmom’s appointment, and wished him well.
In his reaction, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Barrister George Ariolu, congratulated Prof Chinedu Mmom on his appointment and swearing in as commissioner for education in the state.
He stressed that the appointment was as a result of the confidence of Governor Nyesom Wike, and indeed, the entire state have in him.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ichenwo Goodluck, made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Ariolu expressed optimism that the new commissioner would transform the state’s education sector, using his wealth of experience and knowledge.
He said, “Congratulations on Your Appointment as Commissioner for Education by the Rivers State Government. On behalf of my family and entire people of Obio/Akpor, we hereby congratulate you on your appointment as a commissioner, who has been trusted with the responsibilities of manning the education sector of our dear state.
“This unique assignment glaringly shows the confidence the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the people of the state have in your ability and capacity to perform, as exemplified by your excellent performance during your time as Head of Department and Dean of Faculty in the University of Port Harcourt.
“As a people, the entire Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality, which you are a part of in particular, is proud of your meritorious rise, which has distinguished you as a worthy ambassador of the peace-loving tribe and the state in general.”
Ariolu expressed optimism that the newly sworn-in commissioner would turn things around for the good of the people, adding that his appointment would meet the yearnings and desires of the people and further consolidate on the governor’s giant achievements in the education sector.
He, therefore, prayed God to grant the professor sound health and other fruits of grace to further serve Rivers State and the people as God may direct him.

By: Nelson Chukwudi & Ike Wigodo