By Ismaila Ajikobi, Abuja
Youths from Rivers State have commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The youth also expressed unfliching support for the Minister and strongly advised his critics and political foes to allow the Minister to focus on the national assignment for the benefits of all Nigerians.
They spoke to some journalists in Abuja yesterday under the aegis of Rivers State Youths Association.
Spokesperson of the association, Comrade Chimelem Woka who spoke on behalf of the group said: “We are pleading with enemies of Nigeria to allow the FCT Minister to breathe and do his work while asking President Bola Tinubu to give Barrister Nyesom Wike a mayoral status”.
Reacting to some unsalutary statemennts from certain leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the national and state levels, the youth declared: “We as the Rivers State Youth Association are debunking the claims about our dear former governor and the current Minister of the FCT, His Excellency, (Barr.) Nyesom Wike, by some of those party members or any other individual.
“We tend to understand, based on the claims made against His Excellency, the former Governor of Rivers state, that those involved are disciples of the current Governor Fubara, who by this act are not helping matters as it stands.
“Regardless of all claims, we see Barrister Nyesom Wike as a man of the people who loves all peoples of Rivers state and Nigeria in general. He is without doubt, the best governor that Rivers state has ever had.”
The Rivers youths praised Wike for recording huge achievements in all sectors of Rivers economy, including education.
“Let us not forget that in line with his plans for educational reform, Nyesom Wike declared public primary and secondary education free in rivers state in 2019. Still, in 2019,
“Through the State Ministry of Education, Wike announced free registration in JAMB examination.
“In 2022, he signed into law a bill that strengthens women’s right to inherit property. Upon signing the bill, he encouraged women to claim what is theirs and said they should not be afraid to do so because it is their legal right.”
The youth continued: “Do not forget that he established an Education Trust Fund of N90 million for nine children of Basic Education schools who emerged victorious in national educational competitions between 2015 and 2019.
Woka also hailed Wike’s major reforms in the FCT Administration through establishment of the FCTA Civil Service Commission which has left the staff celebrating ever since.
The spokesperson added that the Minister, popularly called ‘Mr. Projects’, has turned the whole Abuja into one giant construction sites, including the six Area Councils, where he’d flagged off construction of roads in each council.
The group also hailed him for expanding health care delivery in the FCT, especially in sickle cell diseases, HIV and AIDS awareness campaigns in secondary school.
They also praised him for the payment of minimum wage, and commencement of total renovation of FCT owned schools, among several other achievements.
“Having listed these few achievements, it is clear to anyone that the overall actions of the fellows in the PDP or any other person criticising Wike is disdaining to Nigeria populace.
“However, we remain staunch admirers of Mr. Nyesom Wike regardless of the insinuations cited by those who are against him, hiding under Fubara to fight him.
“We as the youth association of Rivers state, have no doubt in the capacity and quality of our former governor Nyesom Wike and stand with him in the same spirit of comradeship, and in solidarity to him as a man of value”, Woka said.
The youth also warned: “And for those trying to destroy our oneness in Rivers state and Nigeria, that we are not in for their course, and they must, as people who want the progress of Nigeria, put first the affairs of people in every process, and not come with quibbling acts on those who left a landmark in our lives.
Woka concluded: “His Excellency, Barr. Wike is working in FCTA and our special thanks goes to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu for putting Nigeria first before party in selecting Nyesom Wike. No one would have done it better”.
