December 14th, 2024
Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has stated the reason why the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, was nominated into the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by President Bola Tinubu.
He made the statement while speaking at a book launch to mark the 57th birthday celebration of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Port Harcourt.
Akpabio stated that President Tinubu appointed Wike because of his performance as a local government chairman, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Government, Minister, and two-term governor.
In a statement by his Special Assistant Media, Jackson Udom, Senator Akpabio said, “Today we gather to celebrate not just the years in your life, but the life in your years. We have come to honor not just the duration of your life but the donation of your life and the countless ways you’ve enriched the lives of the people around you.
“Born in the tumultuous year of 1967, when the fabric of our nation was being tested in the fires of conflict, you emerged, my dear Wike, not in the safety of calm waters but amid the storm itself. You might have chosen to arrive in more tranquil times, but instead, you bravely came forth into the fray. It is perhaps this very fortitude that has shaped your character, allowing you to rise like an eagle, soaring high above the tempests that beset us.
“As a two-term governor, you have been a leader of the people, a visionary who acts with purpose, and a friend whose care for others knows no bounds. Your dedication to uplifting communities, as a Governor and now as an Honourable Minister, has left an indelible mark upon our nation’s history. The bridges you have constructed—both of steel and of spirit—stand as testaments to your commitment to progress and unity. I recognized the fire within you long before you stepped into the public arena; you were, indeed, a secret waiting to be unveiled for the nation to behold.
“Your contributions to the political landscape of Nigeria, particularly during your governorship, shine like a beacon of hope. Your charismatic leadership and staunch advocacy for the rights of your constituents have focused on the pillars of infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
“Your passion for sports, particularly football, and your commitment to nurturing the talents of our youth reflect your unwavering belief in the potential of the next generation. You have earned a reputation as a leader of uncompromising integrity, speaking truth in every circumstance even when the winds of injustice howl around you like a tempest.”