As Amaechi  Dedicates Award To Wike… 

In a surprising turn of events, former Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, dedicated an award to his long-time political rival, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, at the induction of the first set of medical graduands into the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).  Amaechi, who was honoured with an award of appreciation for his contributions to the development of education in Rivers State University (RSU) by the university management,  said he dedicated the award to  Nyesom Wike because he refused to abandon the College of Medical Sciences of the Rivers State University (RSU) while he (Wike)  served as governor of the Rivers State.
The former Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari  initiated the college project during his tenure as governor of the state, but could not complete it before the end of his tenure in 2015. The Wike-led administration continued with the project until 2018 when the college matriculated its first set of medical students. By completing the project, Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration demonstrated its commitment to promoting  the growth of quality healthcare sector and providing  training for qualified medical doctors and other health professionals.  His decision to ensure that the investment made by his  predecessor’s administration was not wasted was in  cognisance of the fact  that the people of Rivers State could benefit from the project. Such  resolve does not only  highlight the importance of continuity in governance it is a reminder of  the need for politicians to work together for the greater good.
Meanwhile, Amaechi’s gesture, coming from a politician who has had a well-documented history of disagreements with Wike, is a testament to his  character and leadership quality. Instead of basking in the glory and europhoria of his achievement, Amaechi chose to dedicate the award to Wike, acknowledging the latter’s efforts in completing the medical college.This act of magnanimity is a breath of fresh air in Nigeria’s politics, where rivalry and mudslinging are often the norm. Amaechi’s gesture shows that even in the face of intense political rivalry, it is possible to put aside differences and acknowledge the contributions of others. Amaechi’s decision to dedicate the award to Wike is also a testament to his commitment to the development of Rivers State. By recognizsing Wike’s efforts in completing the medical college, Amaechi also  acknowledges  the importance of continuity in governance and the need for politicians to work together for the greater good
In a country where politics is often characterised by bitterness and rivalry, Amaechi’s gesture  of dedicating an award to his political rival, Nyesom Wike, is a significant departure from the typical bitter and rivalry-driven politics that often characterised Nigerian politics.
To state the obvious, this  is a significant departure from the typical bitter and rivalry-driven politics that often characterise Nigerian politics.  It is a timely reminder that there is more to politics than just winning elections. It is a  lesson in sportsmanship  as well as  a demonstration of leadership. Amaechi’s ability to put aside his personal differences with Wike and acknowledge the latter’s contributions  is an indication that  politicians have a responsibility to work together for the greater good and to put the interests of their constituents above their personal differences. As Rivers State continues to grapple with the challenges of development, this remarkable  gesture  remains a beacon of hope. It shows that even in the face of intense political rivalry, it is possible to find common ground and work together for the greater good.
This writer figures out a lesson in sportsmanship and a demonstration of  commitment to the development of Rivers State. As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of politics and governance, Amaechi’s gesture serves as a beacon of hope for a more collaborative and inclusive approach to politics. It also  sends a powerful message to Nigerians that politics does not have to be a zero-sum game  where one person’s gain must come at the expense of another. Rather, it shows that politics here is specifically for initiating the College of Medical Sciences during his tenure as governor,   specifically for initiating the College of Medical Sciences during his tenure as governor,  and can work together, acknowledge each other’s contributions, and focus on achieving common goal. By dedicating the award to Wike, Amaechi  has demonstrated a high level of sportsmanship, which is a rare commodity in Nigerian politis. Sportsmanship involves being gracious in victory and defeat.
This act of sportsmanship is also a demonstration of leadership. Effective leaders are able to rise above petty squabbles and personal differences to achieve greater goals. By dedicating the award to Wike, Amaechi showed that he is a leader who is committed to the development of Rivers State and is willing to work with others to achieve that goal.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi