Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will take drastic steps to strengthen education, healthcare, and other social services across the state, ensuring that no part, including rural areas, will be left behind.
He stated that in advancing these human capital development efforts, the 2024 state budget would prioritize and provide sufficient funding to create universal access to affordable and quality education and healthcare services in Rivers State.
Speaking while declaring open the 115th and 116th combined Quarterly General Meeting of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to serving with humility, sincerity of purpose, and accountability.
He asserted that no level of sabotage staged in some quarters would make him abandon the mandate given to him to serve, protect, and advance the state’s fortunes.
He said, “Although these are trying times, let us not forget that Rivers State is our collective inheritance, presently under my watch, to protect, defend, and advance as the Governor. I assure you that I will not fail in this responsibility, nor will I surrender our mandate and progress to intimidation, blackmail, and deliberate sabotage. I reaffirm my earlier statement and recommit myself to the path of peace as there is nothing to gain in a state of needless crisis.”
“We will also take deliberate steps to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit among our teeming unemployed youths through viable initiatives on skills development, entrepreneurship training, and targeted investments in commercial agriculture.”
Sir Fubara urged traditional rulers to be upright and royal fathers of integrity who do not compromise their neutrality.
He also enjoined them to be courageous to speak truth to power so that they do not lose their moral authority and legitimacy before their people.
“We must all be worried about the plight of our youths, especially those in rural communities, most of whom are poor, neglected, and almost forgotten in the government’s development plans, policies, and actions.
We all know that no human society can progress without peace and security. Therefore, I urge you to continue working tirelessly to preserve peace and security to attract sustainable development to your communities.”
The governor also emphasised the need for everybody to have faith in the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration at the federal level, asserting that President Tinubu has shown determination to pull the nation out of the prevailing economic nightmare and usher in a new era of sustainable economic progress, which is very reassuring.
In his address, the Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Ohna Sergeant Awuse, declared the firm support of the council to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was elected as the best and trusted to lead the state.
Ohna Awuse urged troublemakers who are fanning the embers of discord to cease the acts and allow the governor to concentrate and do the work he was elected to do.
Also speaking, Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Charles Amadi, said his ministry has maintained a harmonious relationship with the council and would continue to collaborate with them to ease the discharge of their duties as royal fathers in peace-building efforts in their domains.