The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has lauded Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, for prioritising development of the rural areas and changing the narrative of governance in the country.
NGE noted that if state government were to focus on tackling poverty and developmental deficits in the rural areas, it will help to improve the well-being of the people.
National President of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mustapha Isha, stated this during a dinner organised for members of the Guild by Governor Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Isha said the Guild was pleased that the Rivers State government was investing a chuck of its resources in the development of the rural areas.
“On the road to Opobo, I saw the piling of sand and I said the governor is burying money here. But someone said the governor is burying money for people to drive home.
When people hear the cost of a kilometre of road in the South-South, they say they have inflated the contract, that is those who don’t understand the terrain.”
He further continued: “We drove through inner roads, not just the main roads. Development is now spreading across the entire state, not just the capital only, but, across the three senatorial districts.”
Isha commended the Rivers State Cassava Processing initiative which will empower farmers in the State. According to him, this initiative by the Governor will help tackle poverty in the rural areas.
Speaking on behalf of the NGE team that inspected projects like Rivers State Cassava Processing factory at Afam, Sakpewa-Bori-Kono road and the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road, Mr Ambrose Oko, said by not concentrating developing in Port Harcourt, the governor was changing the narrative of governance.
“When governors do things, it is usually in the capital city, say in Port Harcourt. But we went to see inner roads from Andoni to Opobo. Your legacy is legendary.”
Oko explained that his team was moved to tears when they arrived Opobo and were informed that it was just last December that people were able to drive vehicles into the historical town of King Jaja of Opobo for the first time, courtesy of Governor Wike.
NGE Secretary General, Mary Atolagbe, while speaking on behalf of the team that toured the 21.3 kilometers Odufor/Akpoku/ Umuoye road in Etche Local Government Area, 16.85 kilometers Rumuji- Ibaa- Isiokpo road in Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas, Abonnema Ring Road, Degema Zonal Hospital among others, lauded the governor for his commitment to develop the riverine areas of the State.
“I was impressed by the bridges in the riverine areas. The governor must have sank his heart into those roads, because we know what the terrain is like in the riverine area. We know that if not for a deep commitment, such could not have been done” she said.
She commended the Governor for considering it worthy to provide decent accommodation for judges of Rivers State extraction in both the State and Federal judiciary.
“If a judge or any office holder knows that he has a good accommodation over his head and there is something for the family after he is gone, there will be no need to pervert justice in any manner.”
Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, explained that political detractors of the government have often tried to paint a distorted picture of the reality on ground in the State.
Danagogo noted that before the Governor assumed office, his predecessor had bragged that he will not be able to get money to pay salaries of workers and embark on infrastructural development. But, contrary to the expectation of the Governor’s opponents, he has been able to decisively tackle developmental challenges such as the Abonnema Ring Road and many others.
“If it were not for the dogged leader like the leader we have today, I don’t think the story we are hearing would have been what we are hearing.”
Meanwhile, Gov Nyesom Wike has challenged members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to always hold public office holders accountable to the people.
Governor Wike gave the charge when the national leadership of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.
The governor noted that in time past, the Nigerian Press was a strong voice and conscience of the society, but wondered what has whittled down their powers.
“What I have seen of you is that you praise us and give us award because of relationship or friendship. That’s not the way it should be. Challenge us; the people in authority and we will sit up to our responsibilities. We will have no choice than to perform and serve the people as it should be.
“My support for you has to do with the fact that you are supposed to tell the truth of what is happening in Nigeria.
“There was a time you were exposing the ills of society. If not for you certain things will not be known. Assume your role, grow strong again and speak out, ” he said.
The governor stated that Nigeria is in a difficult period in its history and NGE cannot shy away from performing its duties without fear or favour.
He urged them to discharge their function and be sure that they are doing what is right always
“If when I castigated the operations of SARS you added your voice, who knows what good that would have achieved.”
“Now look at what has happened. There was EndSARS protest across the country. Nobody knows how the youths were able to organise themselves without a leader.
“Up until now, intelligence can’t even know how they did it and who’s behind them. Without good intelligence, how can Nigeria even defeat Boko Haram?” he queried.
Governor Wike further said EndSARS protest was peaceful in Rivers State until the outlawed Indigenous People Organisation of Biafra (IPOB) took laws into their hands.
“I don’t support criminality. IPOB killed 6 army officers, 4 policemen, burnt police stations and court buildings. This is Rivers State. Go to Oyigbo and see the level of destruction. Now the State Government will be rebuilding those facilities.
“Those who don’t understand our actions are saying we are fighting the Igbos. How will they allow criminals to speak for them when there are intelligent Igbo people to speak for them?
“If they (IPOB) are aggrieved, instead of channelling it to the right quarters, they go and kill innocent people and destroy public places”, he stated.
In his speech, the National President of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mustapha Isha said governor Wike has remained consistent in his support to the guild.
“You are the only government that has sponsored our annual conference back to back. Even if we have a new leadership, that will not affect the friendship we share with you.
“Anytime I come to Port Harcourt, there is always a new project on-going. Flyovers are being constructed, existing roads are being expanded, and new roads being built.
“This is your second term and you’re maintaining what you said that you’ll work until the last day of your tenure. You have zeal and passion in handling issues of Rivers state, from covid-19 to issues of security.
“Projects don’t hide, even your political opponents will see them. They may murmur, but they will use them. Your excellency, keep up with your good job”, he said.
The members of the guild later accompanied Governor Wike on project tour of the Rebisi Flyover, Real Madrid Football Academy and the Mother and Child Specialist Hospital.
