Rivers: Honouring The Past, Embracing The Future

Rivers State was created on May 27, 1967,  by the Yakubu Gowon-led military administration. This was preceded by several decades of agitations and struggles for equity, justice, identity and self-determination by the chiefs and people of the riverine area of the former Eastern Region.The area called Rivers State now, was the epicentre of the Oil Rivers Protectorate that existed from 1885 to 1893, when it became part of the Niger Coast Protectorate. In 1900, the region was merged with the chartered territories of the Royal Niger Company to form the colony of Southern Nigeria. Following that merger, many fears of palpable marginalisation, neglect and oppression were openly expressed by minority crusaders and activists, given their difficult terrain. This led to the signing of several protection treaties between various indigenous communities and the British government, pledging to accord priority to the protection of the interests and development needs of the minorities. But those treaties were never implemented to the letter, due mainly to lack of political will and commitment to do the needful. Thus, those fears of neglect, deprivation and oppression remained unattended for four decades.
This necessitated the agitation for identity and self-determination with notable figures like Harold Dappa Biriye, Chief P.G Warmate, Chief Melford Okilo, Chief Godfrey Kio Jaja Amachree, Isaac Adaka Boro, Sam Owonaro and many others playing active roles. Various political pressure groups like the Ijaw Rivers Peoples’ League, Ijaw Union, Calabar Ogoja, Rivers State ( C.O.R State), Rivers State Congress, Rivers Chiefs and Peoples Conference (RCPC) were formed by the Chiefs and people of the Rivers Areas to pursue their goal. The result of the several decades of struggle was the creation of Rivers State 57 years ago. The creation was a pivotal moment for the ethnic groups within the state, such as the Ijaw, Ikwerre, and Ogoni, who saw the creation as a solution to the region’s developmental needs and other quests.  Lt. Cmdr. Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, now the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass,  Bayelsa State, carved out of old Rivers State on October 1, 1996, was appointed as the first military governor and Port Harcourt named the state capital. The 24 years old visionary, patriotic and selfless governor wasted no time to hit the ground running, embarking on numerous infrastructural projects necessary for governance and development, making Port Harcourt one of the best state capitals in the country.
The State Secretariat, rated as the best in Nigeria, the High Court, Rivers State Transport Company, Rivbank Insurance, the Risonpalm, Olympia Hotel, the Rivers State Sports Complex, the state Psychiatric Hospital at Rumuigbo, general hospitals in all the local government headquarters,  state-owned companies such as Metaloplastica, West African Glass Industry (WAGI), Pabod Breweries Company Limited (PBCL), Rivers State Vegetable Oil Company (RIVOC), Risonpalm, Superbod Stores and Pabod Finance and Investment Company Limited (PFICL), as well as Eastern Iron Wrought Industries Limited (EIWIL), among others,  were all established by Spiff. Gov Spiff also gave several scholarships to Rivers indigenes for higher education and vocational training in Nigeria and abroad. He gave automatic scholarships for science students in universities. He established schools for specially gifted Rivers children, the state University of Science and Technology among many other developmental projects. Spiff is adjudged by many to have laid the solid foundation for the realisation of the dreams of the founding fathers of the state.  His regime lasted between May 28, 1967 and July 1975.
After Diete-Spiff, Rivers State has had nine military governors namely: Maj-Gen Zamani Lekwot (July, 1975 to July, 1978; Navy Commander Suleiman Saidu (July, 1978 to October 1, 1979); Police Commissioner Fidelis Oyakhilome January, 1984 to 26 August, 1986; Col Anthony Ukpo (26 August, 1986 to July, 1988); Group Captain Ernest Adeleye (July, 1988 to August 30, 1990); Col Godwin Abbe (September 3, 1990 to January, 1992); Col Dauda Komo (December 9, 1993 to August 22, 1996); Col Musa Shehu (August 22, 1996 to (August, 1998; and Group Captain Sam Ewang, August, ((1998 to May 29, 1999). The State has also been governed by seven civilian governors. They are;  the first democratically elected governor, Senator Melford Okilo from October 1, 1979 to December 31, 1983; Chief Rufus Ada-George (January, 1992 to November, 1993); Dr Peter Odili (May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007); Sir Celestine Omehia (May 29, 2007 to October 26, 2007); Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (October 26, 2007 to May 29, 2015); Barrister Nyesom Wike (May 29, 2015 to May 2023) and the incumbent Sir Siminalayi Fubara, May 29 2023 till dat
These past Governors of the state contributed in their unique ways to the realisation of the dreams of the founding fathers of the State though some have been adjudged by some analysts as having taken the hands of the clock far back.  Zamani Lekwot (1975-1978) continued the infrastructural development started by his predecessor, Spiff. He emphasised the development of the agricultural sector, worked on urban planning and development in Port Harcourt.
Under Melford Okilo, the first Executive Governor of the State, the College of Science and Technology built by Diete-Spiff was converted to Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
He upgraded the state College of Education to a degree-awarding institution, and built many primary and secondary schools. Okilo also began implementing a deliberate policy of massive redevelopment that included canalisation of many creeks in the state. With this policy, massive swamps were reclaimed, including Borokiri, for development purposes, just as several road projects were embarked upon to give a deserved facelift to the state. Apart from the more than 350 housing units built across the state to provide accommodation for the teeming population of particularly civil servants, Okilo also engineered and managed the construction of the Kolo Creek Gas Turbine Station in the present Bayelsa State to enhance electricity supply to the people. He also built Rivers State Television, and Radio Rivers FM Station.
The administration of Fidelis Oyakhilome (1984-1986) is known to have implemented policies to curb corruption and improve governance. He developed infrastructure and housing projects and also enhanced agricultural development programs. The School-to-Land Programme in Iriebe, the Rivers State School of Basic Studies, which later was renamed Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Rumuola are some of his projects. The next military administrator, Anthony Ukpo (1986-1988), promoted economic development and infrastructural improvements. He supported educational reforms and health services enhancement and also encouraged industrial growth within the state. Ernest Adeleye (1988-1990), a military Governor, continued infrastructural projects and urban development, focusing on improving the civil service and governance and promoting social services and community development programs. During the tenure of Godwin Osagie Abbe (1990-1991) as a military governor, the state witnessed advanced infrastructural development in urban and rural areas, as well as enhanced educational and healthcare facilities. He also worked towards improving public safety and security. Some of his landmark projects include the magnificent Government House Auditorium, the Green Verge Housing Estate, as well as the Aggrey Road Waterfront Housing Estate. He also initiated the popular Eagle Island Water Scheme, and numerous other infrastructure development projects.
Rufus Ada-George (1992-1993), the second civilian governor of Rivers State launched several infrastructure projects including roads and bridges. He opened up the city of Port Harcourt and the adjoining communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area through many link roads, including the now Peter Odili Road, Ada-George Road, the NTA-Mgbuoba-Airport Road, and the Okujagu-Woji-Akpajo Road, Eastern Bypass, among others. However, his brief administration had to abandon the roads at different levels of conception and execution. He also embarked on maintenance of existing roads and built some housing estates in the local government headquarters. He also paid attention to agricultural development and rural electrification, improved healthcare delivery systems and educational institutions. With the military take over at the center, the state returned to military rule. Col Dauda Musa Komo assumed the leadership of the state on December 9, 1993 and left office on August 22. His regime is remembered for the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and three other activists by hanging on November 9, 1995.
Col Musa Shehu and Group Captain Sam Evang administered the state, as the eleventh and twelfth governors of the state respectively, contributing their quotas to the human and infrastructural development of the state. Peter Odili (1999-2007) was the third civilian and thirteenth governor of the state. He implemented comprehensive infrastructural projects including roads, bridges, and public buildings. He is reputed for the introduction of reforms in the health sector, including the establishment of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Odili also promoted educational development by building new schools and renovating existing ones. He encouraged economic diversification beyond oil and gas. Celestine Omehia (2007), the fourth civilian governor of the state, within his short tenure focused on continuing the projects of his predecessor. He laid foundations for some infrastructural projects. After Omehia came Rotimi Amaechi (2007-2015), the fifth civilian governor of the state. Known for extensive infrastructural development including roads, bridges, and schools, he introduced the free education policy up to the secondary school level. He established modern health facilities and initiated the construction of a monorail system. His tenure also witnessed enhanced security and governance within the state.
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (2015-2023), the sixth civilian governor of the state focused on massive infrastructural projects including roads, flyovers, and public buildings. He improved the healthcare system by building and renovating hospitals, promoted educational initiatives, including the construction of new schools and improvement of tertiary institutions. Worked on enhancing security and promoting economic development. The incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the seventh civilian governor of the state has within barely one year in office shown the capacity to take the infrastructural and human capital development of the state to a higher level despite all the obvious distractions. The multibillion Port Harcourt Ring Road, Omoku and Kalabari Super Highway with over half a trillion naira committed to them, the completion and commissioning of Ogoni-Andoni-Opodo Unity Road, the galvanization and restoration in the civil service with backlog of promotions, pensions cleared in addition to readiness to employ 10,000 fresh workers are indications that the governor has come to restore the lost glory of the state and put it on a higher pedestal.
Apparently, each governor of Rivers State has contributed uniquely to its development, focusing on areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic growth. Their combined efforts have helped shape the state into a significant economic and cultural hub in Nigeria. But can it be said that the dreams of the founding fathers of the state have been realized? What does the future hold for the state?  There is no doubt that some of the past leaders, especially the military leaders, derailed in pursuing the Rivers dream. But the realization of the dream is still possible if we plan for the future as a united people with one goal and one destination. The first step will be to deal with what the Rivers Patriotic Movement in their write up titled “Restoring the Rivers Dream” described as a strange political culture that had invaded the tranquility of Rivers political landscape. According to them, “under the new political culture the leader knows it all and the citizenry are reduced to slavish acquiescence that has been captured by the contemporary slogan of “HE LEADS; WE FOLLOW”. The deification of leadership has been elevated to an art form, while sycophantic adulation has emerged as a new source of livelihood for our teeming youths, fathers and mothers.
“A strange culture of silence and cowering before power holds our dear state, the state that produced the likes of Chief P.G Warmate, Chief Dappa Biriye, Chief Melford Okilo, His Royal Majesty Francis Alagoa Mingi X of Nembe, Chief Godfrey Kio Jaja Amachree, Reverend E.T Dimiari, Chief Emanuel Aguma, Chief Thom Manuel, Chief Napoleon Graham Douglas, Chief Opuogulaya, and Mr. Ken Sarowiwa etc, in a vice grip. The Rivers culture of political boldness, egalitarianism, and fair mindedness pales and shrinks in the face of the new era of impunity, lack of inclusiveness, divisiveness and undemocratic conduct.” As Rivers State continues to grow, the foundations laid by these leaders should guide the  future progress. Political and appointed leaders in the state should see their positions as an opportunity to contribute to the actualization of the dreams of the founding fathers of the state by setting aside their selfish interests and ensuring that everything, every decision, every intended project is for the good of the people and the state.

Calista Ezeaku