The Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Joseph Johnson, has stated that the state governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara is presently facing one of the hurdles of leadership. The commissioner, who was reacting to the current political crisis in the state, said the governor is a man of few words who is determined to deliver on his mandate to the people of the state.

Johnson made the assertion yesterday, in his remarks at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Correspondents’ Week, held in Port Harcourt, the state capital. He said the governor is a “Talk and do, not very loud but a very strong person who is focused on delivering the mandate to his people. His word is like a bond and you can take it to the bank”.

The commissioner, who represented Governor Fubara at the event, commended the Correspondents’ Chapel of Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) for their neutrality in the current “political saga” in the state.

He noted that the governor is a friend of the media and would continue to support the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Rivers State NUJ. Also speaking, Head of Corporate Communication, Indorama Petrochemical and Fertilizer Group, Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, applauded the Correspondents’ Chapel for their neutrality in the current political power tussle in Rivers State, and urged them to keep it up.

He also commended the chapel for the choice of theme for this year’s programme, which is centralised on entrepreneurs and investment in Rivers State. On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Construction and Housing Mayor Limited, My-Ace China, commended Governor Fubara for his strategies impacting housing development in the state.

China, popularly known as Mayor of Housing, expressed: “That was why when I heard Sir Sim Fubara declare his policy on Social Housing on day one, May 29, 2023, I fell for him immediately, and when he went ahead and awarded the contracted and kick-started initial 20,000 low-cost houses, he became my idol.” I said the budget that means something to me is the Rivers State budget and the governor that means anything to me is Fubara because of his bold and direct policy in housing and the proactive action leading to award of contract to begin construction of 20,000 low-cost houses right away.

“I was not excited because 20,000 houses would be built but when you multiply that number by the 800,000 average workforce that would be involved, you marvel”.The Chairman of Correspondents Chapel, Mr Amaechi Okonkwo who thanked the partners who supported the annual programme, said the aim of the one-week programme was to discuss issues affecting the state and socialise with each other.

Meanwhile, in a new dimension to the political twist in Rivers State, a video has emerged of Governor Fubara being hailed by a live band in the same way his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike was so idolised months ago. Months ago, the live band and hype men who accompanied Wike to occasions would intersperse his speech with words of adulation to him and mockery of his political foes.

A similar form of adulation emerged on Friday as Governor Fubara commenced the construction of a 20,000-housing project which provided a similar platform as Wike almost regularly used months ago to pepper his political enemies with the reprise of the live band.

As Fubara took to the stage to make his address on Friday the live band again burst out with different lyrics singing not for Wike but for the new governor. (THISDAY)

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