Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, yesterday inaugurated a 210-member committee to plan for the swearing-in of the state governor-elect, Siminalayr Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The governor also announced the dissolution of the Consolidation for New Vision Campaign Council, the campaign machinery of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Speaking during the inauguration at Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike charged members of the committee to discharge their duties as service to the state.
He stated that the committee members were to serve in a manner that will make the State proud as they plan out the various activities.
The governor listed some of the activities to include the identifying projects that should either be flagged off or inaugurated, public lectures, inauguration dinner and inauguration ceremony on the 29th May 2023.
Wike explained that because it is a Rivers State affair, members are drawn, not only from one political party but from several political parties, civil societies, Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), and representatives of other groups.
He said: “This is not a party affair. It is a Rivers State affairs. So, the committee is made up of all shades of opinion. In fact, our State has the largest number of such committees bearing in mind how our State is.
“Inauguration committee is just to prepare the swearing in of the governor and deputy governor elect. It is not because you are a member of the inauguration committee therefore, it is automatic that you must serve in the cabinet.”
The governor reiterated the need why people should use opportunities that they may have either to serve or lead at any level to give their best service without necessarily thinking that it is an opportunity to make money.
He told them that, eventually, some of them may be designated to work at a subcommittee level in order to achieve better coordinations of the outlined activities.
Wike said: “How well you performed in relation to achieving hitch free inauguration will count in their favour and they should not disappoint the State.
“I have found out something and I have always told people, when you have opportunity to serve, it is not an opportunity that money must come out at every given time.”
The governor used the occasion to announce the dissolution of the Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), because the elections were over.
He thanked the Director General of the campaign council, Felix Obuah and members of his team for their collective efforts that gave the party 98 percent electoral victory in the 2023 general election.
Wike also informed that the state will be the first to host the Nigerian President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on a two-day working visit.
The governor announced the involvement of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State in the special committee set on the planned visit of the President-elect.
Responding, Chairman of the 29th May 2023 inauguration committee, and Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo said it is an auspicious privilege for them to be the ones chosen to plan and execute activities that will usher in the new administration that will perpetuate excellence in the governance of Rivers State.
Danagogo stated that their selection into the inauguration committee is indeed a clarion call to serve and justify the trust reposed in them.
He assured that they will stand to work with the incoming administration as one united political family.
Danagogo said: “Your Excellency, we are indeed grateful that you have reposed this trust in us and I will want to, on behalf of all of us, assure you that we will not fail you.
“As soon as we finish here, we will hit the ground running to ensure that we host the superlative inauguration ceremony that will be a fitting icing on the cake of 8 years of excellence performance in Rivers State.”
