The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has disclosed that he would not succumb to intimation and give up on mandate given to him to serve, protect and advance the fortunes of the state.
According to The PUNCH, Fubara state this in Thursday while declaring open the 115 and 116 combined Quarterly General Meeting of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Governor restated his commitment to serve with humility, sincerity of purpose and accountability.
He said, “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.”
Fubara asserted that concerted effort would be made to enhance education, health care and social services across the state so that no part, including the rural areas, would be left behind.
He noted that the 2024 budget of the state would focus on and provide sufficient funding to create universal access to affordable and quality education and health care services in Rivers 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.”
The Governor called on monarchs to be upright and royal fathers of integrity who do not compromise their neutrality.
He aequally urged the traditional rulers to be brave to speak truth to power so that they would not lose their moral authority and legitimacy before their people.
“We must all be worried about the plight of our youths, especially those in rural communities, most of whom are poor, neglected and almost forgotten in the government’s development plans, policies, and actions.
“As we all know, no human society can progress without peace and security.
“I will, therefore, urge you to continue to work tirelessly for the preservation of peace and security to attract sustainable development to your communities,” he said.
Fubara also identified the need for everybody to have faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration at the federal level.
He stressed that Tinubu has shown determination to rebuild the economy and usher in a new era of sustainable economic progress.
In his address, t
The Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, pledged firm support of the council to the administration of Fubara, “who was elected as the best and trusted to lead the state.”
Awuse enjoined the troublemakers creating disunity to shun the acts and allow the governor to focus on the work he was elected to do.
Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Charles Amadi, also stated that his ministry had continued to maintain harmonious relationship with the council and would continue to collaborate with them to ease the discharge of their roles as royal fathers in peacebuilding efforts in their domains.
The PUNCH reported that the relationship between Fubara and his predecessor and godfather, Nyesom Wike, has broken down, leading to a move by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike to impeach Fubara.
Wike, who has openly declared his grievances with Fubara, accused him of dismantling the struggle he (Wike) left behind.
The Assembly remains factionalised between Fubara and Wike’s loyalists, with the pro-Wike lawmakers accusing the Fubara of withholding the Assembly’s funds.
