•Felicitates With Asari At 60.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated commitment to completing all ongoing development projects in Kalabari land but solicited support of stakeholders in the area against any act of sabotage.
The Governor stated that he delved into executing the Trans-Kalabari Road, extension of Emohua-Tema Junction road to Abonnema, sand-fillng in Abonnema and Kula towns, amongst others, because they will greatly enhance connectivity, ease mobility and improve commerce in the area.
Governor Fubara spoke at the reception organised to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Edi Abali of Kalabari land, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, which held at Novotel Hotel in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
The Governor said he does not only want to be remembered by what he is able to do in Opobo Town, but the extent of development that he champions across the State.
He said, “You were listing out a few projects that we are already embarking on in Kalabari land, and maybe one or two others that we intend to commence.
“I am not from that ethnic group but I know the importance of the Trans-Kalabari road, and others. That is why I delved into doing the projects.
“I believe strongly that I will not only be remembered for what I do for my people in Opobo, but what I do in every part of the State.
“So, I will appreciate your support. Mentioning those projects here means you are in support. And I believe that the Kalabari Ethnic Group will give us all that is required to make sure that we succeed in those projects.”
Governor Fubara said he is dumbfounded at knowing how Alhaji Dokubo, who was born into comfort, eventually chose a path that often confined him in the forest pursuing justice, equity, and empowerment of deprived communities that had shaped the Niger Delta’s struggle.
The Governor noted that for discovering his purpose early in life, Alhaji Dokubo fulfilled destiny by making enormous impact with his course as designed by God.
While wishing the celebrant well in his future endeavours, Governor Fubara said his administration will support and work with him legally to sustain the cause that he has continued to represent.
He said, “I do not have any gift to give you but I will assure you that, as a government, we will work with you, we will support you to make sure that all that you believe in, will be sustained legally.
“I am wishing you the best because at this particular time in our country, in our State, all we owe ourselves and the good people of our State and our neighbours is to jointly encourage each other to support the development of our State genuinely.”
Governor Fubara emphasised the beauty of leadership that elicits respect freely from the people without compulsion, promote love among the citizenry and enforce unity of purpose, which are characteristics of the typical Rivers society.
He added, “So, we will continue to work together for our State to make sure that we change the development landscape of our State. I am happy with the joy on your faces, there is no tension here.
“That is how leadership should be. It should be a process where you don’t need to force the respect on or demand the love. They should come on their own, and when it is so, on its own, it will last forever.
“The ones that are being forced, once one is out power or place of authority, it won’t be there again.
“We have to bring our State back to that place that we used to be. Love, unity used to be one of the things we are noted for. We are going to make sure that we do it with the help of everyone that is here.”
In his speech, the celebrant, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, said he never knew he would live to mark 60 years, given the travails, persecution and confinement in the custody of Department of State Service (DSS) Headquarters, for 12 months and 11 days.
Alhaji Dokubo expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for honouring him with his presence, saying that he never forgets acts of kindness shown to him while also pledging continued support to ensure the administration succeeds.
Cr:Nelson Chukwudi
Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor
