As the alleged plan to offer scholarship to non-indigenes by the Rivers State government continues to generate controversy, with proponents and opponents of the move expressing mixed reactions, some stakeholders in the State have called on the governor of the state, Chief Barr Nyesom Wike, to drop every non-indigene he has appointed into his government or resign.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, a clergy man and one of the living founding fathers of Rivers and Bayelsa states, Rev Dr Sokari Soberekon, who few weeks ago, called on all political parties to support Wike and also called on the governor to reconcile with his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, explained that even if Amaechi appointed non-indigenes into his government, Governor Wike should not do the same, noting that non-indigenes can only be employed where there are no qualified indigenes to do the jobs, just as the former governor of the State, His Highness Alfred Diete-Spiff, appointed a non indigene as Chief Judge.
“Spiff appointed a white man, Justice Holden, as Chief Judge of Rivers State because he wanted a neutral man who could implement “equality and justice” which is the motto of our coat of arms.
“Rivers didn’t come with a stroke of the pen or the ballot paper but through the barrel of the gun and men were behind that gun.. .no pilot will ever release the steering of the plane to any passenger, however, qualified or connected they may be.
“With Wike as governor, we are starting on a clean slate, so we will not want him to make the same mistakes Amaechi made. There are great expectations on him and we believe he will succeed. But if he feels he cannot correct the mistake, then the best thing is for him to resign honourably, because the mistakes of Amaechi should not be repeated,” Sokari opined.
Rev Soberekon lashed out at a commissioner-designate, Mr. Ibibia Walter, for condemning an elder statesman, Chief A. K. Horsfall, who opposed the proposed scholarship for non-indigenes as well as appointment into government offices.
“Ibibia Walter should withdraw his statement. When A. K. Horsfall was working with General Yakubu Gowon to create Rivers State, and presidential aspirant with Dr. Peter Odili where was he, the Secretary of PDP was? A. K. Horsfall is a highly respected Nigerian. Is it how the young ones disrespect the Elders that make Former President Olusegun Obasanjo to tear his membership card of PDP? Or that makes former governor Amaechi to defect from PDP to APC, PDP Elders should ask the Secretary to render an apology to Chief A. K. Horsfall”, Dr. Soberekon said.
The Senior Advocate of the Niger Delta advised all non-indigenes in Rivers State to learn to respect the elders of the State in order to continue to enjoy the hospitality of the people.
Dr Soberekon said he’s not of any political party but works for the interest of Rivers State.
“I don’t belong to any political party but I work for the interest of Rivers State and Niger Delta. I think of what to do for Rivers State, that is why I agitated and established Oil Derivation with Alhaji Shehu Shagari and not what Rivers State will do for me,” he said.
It would be recalled, my brother in the Lord late, Dr. Dema Fiberesima of Odadiki Eye Hospital who served as Commissioner for Health in Rivers State without earning salary in Rivers State, I think other Commissioners in Rivers State should emulate him.
Quoting John 13:16-17, which says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them”, Soberekon explained that those elected into office should respect those who sent them and not to disrespect them. ###
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