The General Overseer of Jesus Peace Mission (JPM) Nigeria, Apostle (Dr) Sonipie Kpone-Tonwe has praised Rivers State Governor, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike over his recent visit to Boue Clan in Khana Local Government Area of the state, describing his action as rare show of courage and boldness.
The cleric who stated this in an open letter he sent to the Governor on Friday, said he had always admired Governor Wike’s humane disposition towards issues affecting people of the State.
He said the tour which took the Governor across all the communities in Boue on Saturday, August 24, 2019, was in his words, ‘the action of a leader who is not only on a mission to solve problems but that of man with a caring heart for his subjects in all parts of the State’.
“The visit was particularly courageous not only because the area was under attack by gun-carrying dissident youths but also because the terrain and the roads were hazardous.
“It was particularly heartening when the people saw that the Governor was not afraid to drive across that rickety Boue Bridge which forms the only link between Kono Boue and the other towns of Boue, including Keneke Nokwuri, Gbam and Uwegwere”, said the elder cleric whose church is headquartered in Kono Boue.
Apostle Kpone-Tonwe who hails from the area said he was very familiar with the terrain, adding that though his house was located across the ram-shackled bridge, he had not visited his house for over seven years because of the risk of crossing the bridge.
“That is why I commend our able Governor for daring to drive across that bridge to tour the whole of Boue clan, thus becoming the first and only Governor of Rivers State to tour the whole of Boue clan”, he said.
A one-time lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, the clergyman reflected on his teachings especially ‘Major World Civilizations’ which according to him was a compulsory course for all students in the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences.
“No student could proceed further without passing that course, which means that all those who graduated from those two faculties between 1980 and 2012, passed through me. It is interesting to note that many of them have become great Nigerian leaders – Governors, Senators, Ministers, etc. Thus, I was like Joseph in the land of Egypt interpreting dreams (the future of Nigerian leaders)”, he reminisced.
Apostle Kpone-Tonwe who said he would clock 80 years in February, 2020, said his heart cry was how he would easily drive across the Boue Bridge to celebrate his 80th birthday in his own house in his community!
“That is why I specially appeal to Governor Wike not to stop at that notable visit but to quickly take steps to construct the Boue Bridge and the link roads in the area, as well as establish several security posts to secure the area.
“While Joseph was in prison in Egypt, he made a similar appeal, to those to whom he interpreted their future: “But think of me when it shall be well with you and show kindness to me…(Gen 40:14). In the same way, may Governor Nyesom Wike think of Boue people, now that it is well with him”, he prayed.
