International honour for Wike’s performance in Rivers

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8 years ago

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, is certainly a clinical politician, administrator and dispenser of developmental projects. But personally, I don’t think these are the features that have kept him victorious. The governor operates in a vicious political terrain replete with sadistic opposition politicians who are ever ready to destroy the fortunes of the state just to gain political mileage.

It is obvious that Wike is always ahead because of God’s favour on him. The blessing of God on his administration is the reward for his dedicated service to the good people of Rivers State. His daily toil to change the fortunes of the state for the better is known to the people. Whenever discerning credible organisations resolve to honour the governor, those defeated by the people gnash their teeth in extreme agony. They weep on the rooftop as if their political future has been terminated. They go to ridiculous lengths in their attempt to disparage whatever honour is bestowed on the people’s governor.

It was the same when he bagged the Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year 2016, the Authority Newspaper Man of the Year, 2016 and the Independent Newspapers Man of the Year, 2016. These opposition elements took up paid advertorials in national dailies in their attempt to demean these awards. The more they wept, the more prominent the recognition.

Like it is stated in Exodus 13:21: “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night”. This is the situation with Governor Wike’s administration. The protection and guidance are beyond the reach of the opposition.

It is no longer news that Governor Wike was the only African honoured at the 12th Global Forum on Human Settlements and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards Ceremony (GFHS XII) at the United Nations Plaza in New York City, on Monday night. Wike was honoured with the ‘Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award’. The award was in recognition of the governor’s outstanding achievements in the area of urban renewal, sustainable cities and provision of basic amenities to the residential areas of low-income earners.

The 12th Global Forum on Human Settlements and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards Ceremony (GFHS XII) was jointly organised by the Permanent Mission of the Gambia to the UN, the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the UN (AU), the Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS), the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), the University Peace Federation (UPF), the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) and the better City Institute (BCI). All the organisers participated in the award ceremony which was beamed live to the world on different platforms.

Speaking at the award ceremony in New York on Monday night, a Representative of the United Nations Environment, Mara Murillo, said the organisation salutes Global Forum on Human Settlements and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements for having developed the awards and the constituency for which it has been organised.

Ms. Mara Angélica Murillo-Correa, Senior Programme Officer of Intergovernmental Affairs, United Nations Environment Programme, New York Office, congratulated the 23 awardees who were selected for their positive achievements and leadership. The UN representative stated: “The awards recognise their feats which inspire and encourage others to innovate and replicate similar feats”.

Vice Chairman of the Global Forum on Human Settlements and Sustainable Cities, Dr Taj Hamad, who presented the award to Governor Wike, said all the awardees have made great achievements that merit the awards. Permanent Representative of the Gambia to the United Nations, Mamadou Tangara, urged all awardees to continue to work for sustainable cities across the world.

In an acceptance speech after receiving the award, Governor Wike pledged before the global audience that he will continue his landmark projects to improve the living condition of the Rivers people. He said: “Let me on behalf of the government and people of Rivers State sincerely thank the organisers of this award for the recognition. To also commit ourselves that we will progressively provide infrastructure and social services that will enhance the living standards of all Rivers people on a sustainable basis”.

As the entire country erupted in wild celebration over the recognition extended to the Rivers State Governor, leaders of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) quickly called an emergency factional caucus meeting. Of course, the only agenda of that meeting was to find ways to mislead the public on the award. A statement was immediately issued and commercial placements paid for. The Rivers APC claimed that the UN Habitat replied a mail claiming that no award was given to the Rivers State governor.

Since it was a paid commercial placement, those who published never cared to do due diligence. As produced in the body of this write-up, UN Habitat was not amongst the organisers of the award. All the organisers and their supporting agencies were clearly listed. But the antecedents of the APC are well known: lying is an integral part of their operations; deception is second nature to them. Alabo George Kelly, in a Facebook post, captured the fraudulent outcry of the Rivers APC thus: “Someone gets a first class from UNIBEN. Rather than get yours, you are writing to UNIPORT to find out if they awarded the degree. Na wa!”.

The Rivers APC chooses to judge everyone by their very low standards. Because they governed by deception, they believe that others will act in that wise. The invisible Karibi White Hospital still haunts the Rivers APC. The N3trillion squandered by the Rivers APC in eight years still represents Rivers worst story of public theft.

The facts of the award to Governor Wike are public knowledge, but APC needed to issue a statement, no matter how ridiculous. Opposition politics must be done within the confines of reason. Opposition politics should not be targeted at pulling down the state the way the Rivers APC has done at all times. An administration blessed by God cannot be cursed by demonic forces.

The award ceremonies were aired live. The reports were in several national television stations, while major national newspapers published the outcome. The Global Forum on Human Settlements and Sustainable Cities issued their official press release on the award ceremony, backed by relevant pictures. Its website outlined all those who won awards, 23 in all and in six categories.

Majority of the awardees are distinguished organisations and cities from across the globe. The awards are contested for, based on established criteria and it has been held for 12 times. From the awards website came the ‘Background Information of the “Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards”.’

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as Acting President visited Rivers State, saw the marvellous works of Governor Wike and nicknamed him, “Mr Project”. When next he visited, the Rivers APC issued a diabolical press statement warning him against making statements on projects on ground. They claimed in their press statement that they are yet to recover from the ‘Mr Project’ classification.

The transformation and general development taking place in Rivers State is real. Any man of conscience who visits the state appreciates the efforts of the Wike administration. As a result of his accomplishments, Governor Wike is ever ready to account for his steadwardship. The Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award conferred on Wike is an international recognition of the accolades that Governor Wike receives on the streets of Rivers State.

Governor Wike was recognised for constructing the Iriebe Medium Housing Estate, Rivers Quarters at the NNS Pathfinder, Quarters for Junior Staff of the DSS and facilitating the improved investment in housing by private investors. He further received commendations for investing in land reclamation/sand filling in Asari-Toru, Degema, Akuku-Toru and Port Harcourt local government areas. The massive infrastructural development in the urban local government areas and the provision of educational and health facilities across the state counted in favour of the governor as they improved the living conditions of the people.

Governor Wike has shown utmost commitment to the rapid development of Rivers State. He has judiciously invested the scarce resources of the state to the satisfaction of the people and he has remained on the side of the people. It is for this reason that the people of Rivers State are totally with Wike. That he is far ahead of his political opponents despite their evil machinations and propaganda.

.Nwakaudu, media aide to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, writes from Port Harcourt.