The deputy governor of Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru has described the garden city of the nation, Port Harcourt as a city of splendor and beauty.
Ikuru made the description at the recent flag off ceremony to mark the 100 year centenary celebration of Port Harcourt city, in Rivers State.
Ikuru who represented the executive governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi at the event said that Rivers State is a state of different possibilities, a gate way for the shipment of goods that were brought from other parts of the country for onward transportation to Europe, until in 1958 when the first crude oil was exported from the Port Harcourt port.
He maintained that Port Harcourt is qualified by all standards to be a city, having a large population and multinational companies that have influenced “the world economy. He said the political importance of Rivers State is so much that makes the entire nation shiver.
The Deputy Governor opined that Rivers State is the special state with best infrastructure in the areas of: health centre, model primary schools, and best secondary schools of world class status.
He was of the view that Greater Port Harcourt City will sooner or later become the greatest in the whole of West Africa and urged the general public to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire their own land in the city, promising that Rivers State will be the first state to enjoy 24 hour electricity supply in the nation.
Explaining on why they decided to ganish the ceremony with a marathon race, Hon. George Feyii, Secretary to the State Government and chairman of Port Harcourt City Centenary Committee, said that every venture in life starts with a step, hence their resolve to kick start the event with a marathon race.
In the same vein, the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo, expressed gratitude to God for keeping everyone alive to be part of the centenary celebration.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of certificates to the 3 male and female sprinters that emerged victorious at different categories of the race and cash rewards.###
By Blaise Elumezie
