The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, has described the crowning of Port Harcourt as World Book Capital 2014 as yet another evidence of the visionary and focused leadership being provided by Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Port Harcourt’s reign as World Book Capital 2014 began amid fanfare on Wednesday with the handover by Bangkok at an impressive ceremony at Hotel Presidential in the Rivers State capital. Dignitaries at the event included Governor Amaechi; former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wolf Soyinka; UNESCO Director General, Ms. Irina Bokova; former World Bank Vice President, Africa, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili; wife of the Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi; Engr. Tele Ikuru, Deputy Governor of Rivers State; Rt. Hon. O.D Amaechree, Speaker of State House of Assembly; members of Rivers State Executive Council; Senators and members of Federal House of Representatives from the State; Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, APC State Interim Chairman, among others. The ceremonies continue today and would be concluded tomorrow, April 26.

According to Rivers APC, “This feat by Port Harcourt in becoming the very first African city south of the Sahara chosen as World Book Capital based on public voting, beating ten other great cities that include Oxford in England and Moscow in Russia, is commendable. For this to be achieved against all odds and challenges by the present administration in Rivers State simply demonstrates that Governor Amaechi is a visionary and focused leader who has received accolades in this regard by world leaders.”

The party in a statement issued by Dr. Ikanya said: “Port Harcourt was chosen because UNESCO could see the great investment the APC-led Government in Rivers State has made in the education of our youths, and they could see the advancement we have recorded. Governor Amaechi’s feats in the area of education that assisted in making Port Harcourt the World Book Capital City is unequalled by any African leader, either in the past or present, churning out over 500 model Primary Schools and 24 Model Secondary Schools that are termed to be better than some universities in Africa, and employing about 13,000 teachers, offering free education with free books and computer-based schools within six years. The governor’s weapon in revolutionising education in Rivers State, is Barr Alice Lawrence-Nemi, the Commissioner of Education. This unassuming Amazon and definition of workaholic is a proud to Rivers State and her people.”

Continuing, Rivers APC said: “We are proud to be associated with such a visionary and focused leader of our time. Apart from all these, the administration of Governor Amaechi facilitated the launch of the Port Harcourt Literary Society headed by Dr. Chidi Amuta as an indication that Rivers State has a strong vision to promote and sustain activities that would make promotion of literary activities and literacy a staple in the State’s agenda.

“APC in Rivers State is ready to collaborate with the Governor and other stakeholders to ensure that Port Harcourt is adjudged the best World Book Capital ever in the history.

“APC in Rivers State also totally agrees with Engr. Tele Ikuru, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, who captured the mood of the moment and some of the challenges when he stated that Governor Amaechi’s administration came in at a period when Port Harcourt was one of the most unsafe cities in the world and for him to rescue Port Harcourt from the hands of militants who were literally governing the State at that time, successfully bid and win for the entire nation the world capital city is the most remarkable feat of his administration.

“It is our prayer and expectation that Port Harcourt’s reign as World Book Capital 2014 heralds’ even greater days in stock for Rivers State under the watch of APC and for the entire Nigerian Nation which, by the grace of God, will come under APC’s leadership after the 2015 general elections.”

•Photo shows Governor Amaechi.

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