Politics
Amaechi’s Politics Of Inclusion
The Rivers State gov
ernment under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has no doubt recorded some landmark achievements in certain sectors of the society which has ostentiously earned him high degree of respect among his peers.
Like a leader with a mission and vision, the governor’s education policy has attracted accolade from several quarters within and outside the shores of the country.
The State won the coveted first prize in the implementation of the Universal basic Education (UBE), programme and in the health sub sector, the maternal mortility rate has reduced drastically, thanks to the Policy of siting primary Health Centres closer to the people. Similarly, the security challenge met on assumption of office was tackled frontally with its twin brother, obedience to the rule of law which the administration addressed as a matter of priority and restored sanity back to the state.
During the period, the State suffered marginally as investors closed shops, workers were sacked and generally insecurity pervaded the entire environment. These success stories could not have been possible without a leader that is focused in realising the need for proper harnessing of human and material resources which is a sine qua non in determining the achievement that could be made.
Unarguably the selection of players sets the stage for what would eventually be the outcome of a team in terms of results because a good team has different traits, skills and capabilities which when properly galvanized by the leader through deliberate effort to upgrade where necessary will bequeath a people-oriented governance.
Recently, Governor Chibuike Amaechi submitted ten names of Commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and approval to complete the constitution of his new cabinet which he began in piece meal.
The list has names of four former commissioners, Dr. Sampson parker, Barr. Marshall Stanley-Uwom, Charles Gogo Levi and Joe Poroma whose potentials have not been fully utilised and therefore made to return to enable the present administration actualise the vision of giving Rivers people an unparalled leadership.
One of the remaining new nominees include Mr. Chuma Chinye who hails from Delta State but described in several quarters as Delta State born Rivers man having lived a greater part of his live in the state. A lawyer of great repute who functioned as Special Assistant on Ethics and Good Governance to Governor, Chibuike Amaechi between January 2008 to may 2011 and served as Director, Finance and Administration to the Amaechi 2011 Campaign Organisation.
Obviously, the nomination is sequel to critical assessment of performance of Mr. Chuma Chinye as Special Assistant to the governor and the excellent manner in which he discharged assigned responsibilities may have endeared him to his boss.
However, if expressions at the House of Assembly gallery during the screening exercise is anything to go back, it means people were surprise as to what a non indigene could be doing in the hallowed chambers of the Assembly but the answer lies in the assurance of the state executive during his inauguration in May 29, 2011, after the landslide victory in the April polls, (ie.) to lead an all inclusive government.
Opposition Political Parties were invited to join the present government but probably ego and the need to have a strong opposition after the court cases could be responsible for the delay in buying into the system but suffice it to say that there is nothing absolutely wrong with giving non indigenes resident in the state a sense of belonging through their inclusion as Cabinet member.
We are aware of several non indigenes in the state civil service, parastatals and agencies, some have risen to be Permanent Secretaries and Directors.
As a product of the rule of law, Governor Amaechi appreciates section 193 (2) and 14 (4) of the 1999 constitution which provides that any Nigerian who lives in a particular area for upward of ten years and above should merit the same status as natives.
Following the governor’s action, Rivers State has again braced the trail in asserting its position as a cosmopolitan state and headquarters of the South-South Geo-political zone of Nigeria that allows people from all walks of life opportunity to contribute their quota to the overall development of the state.
Having received massive support during the re-election process that cut across religious and political divide as well as ethnic nationalities resident in the state, it is therefore not out of place to justify the contributions of “indigenes from outside the State” towards the economic, political and social growth of the state through their involvement in the governance of the state.
In this respect, therefore, Rivers State has joined the league of states that made appointments to non native residents as Commissioner with the underlying principle of using the best materials available for the greatest interest of Rivers people.
In the case of Lagos State, a non Yoruba descent has been controlling a sensitive Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the result of having a square peg in a square hole perhaps, accounts for the level of success recorded in Lagos State at present.
Also in Enugu State a Yoruba man was saddled with the responsibility of Managing the Media as Special Adviser to the former Governor of that State Chief Chimaroke Nnamani throughout his tenure while in America the government gives equally opportunity to people of all races provided the intellectual and moral ability to function is deposited on the individual.
The man Chinye as Special Assistant on Ethic and Good Governance for the first time effectively Coordinated quarterly interaction between the Governor and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) etc, through which avenue they contributed to the governance of the state.
It is expected that the University of Benin trained lawyer, Mr. Chukwuma Constantine Chinye, would bring his wealth of experience to bear on the new assignment to justify the confidence reposed on him for his inclusion into the State Executive Council and probably pace way for other non indigenes resident in the state to serve.
Infact, the irony of life is that the very enlightened citizens may be the ones to ponder about who comes from where but the common man on the street is not interested in who occupies what position because the paramount issue to them is service delivery that would improve the standard of living.
The Commissioner nominee, a son of the Niger Delta parades an intimating public service credentials and experience as the former Rivers State Coordinator of SERVICOM, former Special Assistant to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, legal Adviser, Board member Federal Inland Revenue Service and the author of best selling socio-political Satire “The Nigerian Factor” among others.
It is on record that even some of our so called indigenous Commissioners well known to us had left a sour taste in the .mouth of Rivers people as a result of their abysmal performance in public office.
Therefore, it behoves a leader to guide and guard his loins as the duty of piloting the affairs of the state must be satisfactorily done with competent hands to achieve set targets.
We strongly hope that having functioned efficiently behind the scene as Special Assistant to Governor Amaechi which earned him the elevation Mr. Chinye would be propelled by the opportunity to redouble his effort and bring his wealth of experience to roast on the new assignment.
The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese and Founder of the Kukah Centre, Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, has been reported to have visited President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Addressing State House correspondents shortly after meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa, the cleric said one year was not enough to pass judgement on President Tinubu’s government.
Bishop Kukah said while the administration was providing solutions to the myriad of challenges, Nigerians need to get a sense of how soon they expect to breathe a sigh of relief.
He, however, said that the government needs to communicate to Nigerians when it will fix the current socio- economic challenges in the country.
According to him, Nigerians were in various levels of pains.
“I’m sure that many people will tell you that one year is not enough to make a judgement. However, from where we all stand, we know that we are all in a very difficult situation.
“Nigerians are in various levels of pain and they are pains that are unintended. But, they are as a result of certain policy decisions that hopefully, with time, can be amended in order to serve the welfare of ordinary people,” Bishop Kukah explained.
He said it is the responsibility of the government to ensure better living conditions and security of the citizens.
“I believe that the essence of government is to guarantee the welfare and security of ordinary citizens. I believe that the times that we are in are very very difficult times, and nobody should be under any illusion.
“But, there are also times for renewal. We just need to commit ourselves to the fact that building a good society takes a lot of time.
“This is politics. I’m very hopeful, we ordinary people cry more than the bereaved. The important thing is that politicians will fix their problems”, he added.
“Rivers State is a place that is very dear to me because I have been associating with them for a very long time. But, look, when politicians fight, don’t get carried away because they have their capacity to fix their quarrels.
“I hope and pray that Rivers State will sooner than later reposition itself because it is not an insignificant part of Nigeria,” he said.
Some stakeholders in Andoni Local Government Area have lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the inclusion of the Andoni section of the Unity Road among roads to be commissioned as part of activities to mark his first year in office.
It would be recalled that the Andoni section of the Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road was initially slated for commissioning on Wednesday, May 15 but later shifted to Saturday, May 18, 2024.
Speaking exclusively with The Tide, some stakeholders commended the Governor for being courageous to complete a road that was abandoned for 24 years.
They said the completion of the road has given the people of Andoni a sense of belonging, adding that it has ended sea piracy in Andoni.
A community leader in Ngo Town, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area, Chief Awajiokaunye Mbosowo, said the people of Andoni, and Ngo in particular, are very grateful to Governor Fubara for the road project.
According to him: “We are very grateful to His Excellency, our amiable, most focused and action-packed Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara for his timely response and completion of the Andoni section of Ogoni/Andoni Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road”.
Mbosowo, who is the head chief of Ukumor War Canoe House of Ngo, said Governor Fubara had broken the jinx as far as development of Andoni was concerned.
He said the Andoni people have never had it so good, adding that the road was abandoned for over 24 years by previous administrations.
“The road was awarded by His Excellency, Sir (Dr) Peter Odili, during his second tenure in office .
“We congratulate the governor for his zeal, determination and vigour to complete the road within his first year in office .
“This is most commendable because despite all the challenges, distractions and economic downturn, you braved it all and completed the road in good time and quality. We say Thank You for your unflinching love for the Andoni people.
“We sincerely appreciate and welcome you to the commissioning of this all important project that now links our Ngo, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area and suburb communities that are on the main land.
“Your Excellency, for the purposes of record, this is the first time in history that a project of this magnitude would be completed and commissioned within the first year of the tenure (of an administration).
“We pray that the good Lord continue to bless, keep and sustain you richly and grant you the grace to finish both your first and second tenures with joy and good health to the shame of your detractors”, he said.
Also speaking, a one time Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Apostle Felix Ayayi, said Governor Fubara has shown that he truly loves the people of Andoni and Obolo nation in general.
Apostle Ayayi described the road as a conduit through which billions of Naira in budgetary allocations had been siphoned and yet abandoned for 24 years, adding that because of this feat, the entire Andoni was now fully ‘Simplified’’.
In his response, former organizing secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Andoni Local Government Area, Elder Blessing Tiko, said the people of Andoni have started reaping the benefits of that road.
“People are happy that a road that started in the year 2000 and could not be completed, our son came and completed it in four months time.
“So, every true son of Andoni is happy with the Governor and any one who is not happy with the Governor is a witch”, he said
On his part, the leader of Obolo Sim Vanguard, Engr Kingston Silvanus, said the road has ended piracy and kidnapping along the Ngo water ways, noting that the people of Andoni will not fail to give the Governor total support.
John Bibor
The Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam, has commended the Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for creating a healthy investment climate in the state as he marks his administration’s one year in office.
The Council boss stated this while addressing newsmen shortly after the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service in celebration of the governor’s election victory and subsequent affirmation by the Supreme Court at Opobo, headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.
Hon. Cookey-Gam said that owing to Governor Fubara’s pragmatic economic policies, Rivers State has become an investment destination with enormous potential.
He stressed that the governor has, within his first year in office, invested in the 23 local government areas of the state, saying, “When you have a head of government who understands the role of government and what it takes to govern, he ensures that investors are comfortable”.
He expressed delight with the personality of Governor Fubara and assured him of his council’s support and cooperation towards changing the economy of Rivers State.
“We will continue to create an enabling environment for you to succeed,” Hon Cookey-Gam assured the governor, saying, “Please bring more investments to the state.”
The local government chairman also urged Rivers people and business owners in the state to gird their loins for an imminent investment boom, stressing that the Fubara-led administration was ready to deliver more development programmes across the state.
Hon Cookey-Gam maintained that Governor Fubara, who is set to commission a lineup of people oriented projects he has executed, was poised to bring transformational development initiatives to Rivers people as his government stabilises.
He described the governor’s one year development efforts as a job well done despite some daunting challenges bedeviling the state and Nigeria in general.
“We are solidly ready to back him to achieve the yearned dividends of democracy to the people”, Hon Cookey-Gam said, and encouraged the governor to stay focused as the generality of Rivers people were on his side.
Bethel Toby
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