Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has vowed to work with the Niger Delta freedom fighter, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, to legally sustain all his beliefs in the Niger Delta region.

The governor also told the King of Okochiri in Okirika, Ateke Tom, that he would continue to identify with him and appreciated the king for standing with his government.

The governor spoke at different receptions organized to mark the 60th birthday anniversaries of Dokubo and King Ateke Tom in Port Harcourt and Okochiri Town in Okirika.

The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi reinstated his commitment to completing all ongoing development projects in Kalabari land but solicited the support of stakeholders in the area against any act of sabotage.

Fubara said that he decided to execute the Trans-Kalabari Road, an extension of the Emohua-Tema Junction road to Abonnema, and sand-filled in Abonnema and Kula towns, amongst others, because the projects would greatly enhance connectivity, ease mobility and improve commerce in the area.

The governor said he did not only want to be remembered for what he would do in Opobo Town, but by the extent of development that he would champion 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.”

Addressing Dokubo: 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.”

Fubara said he was dumbfounded to know that Alhaji Dokubo, was born into comfort, but 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.

He said: “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.

Dokubo expressed gratitude to Fubara for honouring him with his presence, saying that he never forgot acts of kindness shown to him while also pledging continued support to ensure the success of his administration.

At the reception of Ateke Tom in Okochiri, Fubara declared that nothing less than resounding success would be reckoned with his administration in the provision of social services, critical projects, and sustenance of peace across the State.

He said: “I identify with you, King Ateke Tom, and I want to appreciate you for standing with us. Like I had said, the worst is over concerning the political crisis. What we are doing today is moving forward and advancing our State. And I am happy that you are one of my allies.

“I assure you the only thing that will be associated with our administration is success, success and more success,” he said.

Fubara noted with delight that King Ateke Tom was not merely celebrating with drinks and foods distributed to friends but had actually included God in the event with an expression of gratitude to Him for the blessings bestowed on him.

He said: “We as a government, it is our duty to make sure that we support our own, more especially when you are contributing to peace and development of our State.

“When one marks 40, we say thank God. Somebody has marked 50, and by the special grace of God, King Ateke Tom is celebrating 60. So, I want to thank God for his life because it is only possible through God.”

Fubara said looking at the life and time of King Ateke Tom, it was a miracle for him to have lived this long.

He said: “So, I am happy to tell you that we will continue to stand by you. Let me thank everyone that is here who has come to celebrate with our brother.

“Thank you for coming to support him. I know that as a man, nobody is perfect, but in his own little way, he tries as much as he can, to make peace his major gift to the people of Okrika. I know and I don’t need to be told how much he spends to make sure he makes people happy”.

Governor Fubara, who wished King Ateke Tom more glorious years on the throne, urged him to continue to promote peace and development not only in the Okochiri Kingdom but in the entire Okrika land.

He said: “I am happy to identify with our brother. He is celebrating three things. Firstly, his birthday; secondly, the special honour by the great people of Okrika and Okochiri; and thirdly, the one that they said I did. I didn’t do it as a person, it is the Office of the Governor that honoured him,” he emphasised.

In his welcome address, former Minister of Transport and chairman of the occasion, Chief Abiye Sekibo, said the reception was auspicious.

Chief Sekibo, who expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for his presence, said as one of them, the Okrika people had resolved to sustain support for the governor to ensure that he succeeded in government. (The Nation)

Update news