Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, said he would not surrender his mandate and the progress of the state to the acts of intimidation, blackmail and deliberate sabotage against him by anybody or group of persons in the state.
By Ademu Usman Idakwo
The governor, while addressing his fellow countrymen, encouraged Nigerians to have faith in the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level, stressing that the president has shown enough determination to pull the nation out of her economic challenges.
Fubara who spoke while declaring open the 115th and 116th combined Quarterly General Meeting of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt, however alleged that his administration was being witch-hunted.
He vowed that no amount of sabotage deliberately staged in some quarters against his administration would make him jettison the mandate given to him to serve, adding he would continue the push for the all-round development of the state.
The Governor admitted that it was a trying time for the state; thus, reassured the people of the state of his unwavering commitment to serve with humility, sincerity of purpose and accountability.
“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 it 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.” He stated.
Fubara further stressed that measures would be taken to strengthen education, healthcare and social services across the State, disclosing that the state’s 2024 budget proposal would prioritize and provide sufficient funding to create universal access to affordable and quality education and healthcare services in the state.
“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,” he promised.
The Governor urged traditional rulers to be upright, have integrity and strive not to compromise their neutrality while enjoining them to be courageous to speak truth to power so that they do not lose their moral authority and legitimacy before their people.
He charged the relevant stakeholders to be concerned about the plight of the youths in the state, especially those in rural communities, most of whom are according to him poor, neglected and almost forgotten in the government’s development plans, policies, and actions.
Earlier, the Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse declared the firm support of the council to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara who was elected as the best and most trusted to lead the State.
Awuse warned those fanning embers of disunity and crisis to cease forthwith and allow the governor to concentrate to do the work he was elected to do.
