Rivers State was created from the then Eastern Region of Nigeria by Decree No. 19 of 1967. The state is the heart beat of the hydrocarbon industry which contributes greatly in the economic development of the country. Rivers is also blessed with natural resources, such as clay, white sand, timber and several others.
Rivers state has a population of about 6 million persons who parade with different unique culture. The indigenes of the state are from the various ethnic nationalities namely: Ogoni, Andoni, Kalabari, Egenni, Ekpeye, Etche, Ikwerre, Ibani, Okrika, Ndoni and others.
These ethnic groups are different from each other in culture, religion, administration etc.
From the date of its creation, Rivers experiences different administrators handling its affairs including military officers, police and civilians. Persons that have ruled Rivers State include: Navy Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff, Col. Zamani Letwot, Navy Commander Suleiman Saidu, Chief Melford Okilo, Police Commissioner Fedelis Oyakhilome, Col. Anthony Ekpo, Group Captain Ernest O. Adeleye.
Others are: Col. Godwin O. Abbe, Chief Rufus Ada-George, Lt. Col. Dauda Musa Komo, Col. Musa Sheikh Shehu, Group Capt. Samuel Ewang, Dr. Peter Odili and Rt. Hon. Chiubike Rotimi Amaechi.
Now the mantle of the state is in the hand of Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who has revolutionized the entire Rivers within his short stay in office. One can rate Chief Wike very high in the area of roads construction and rehabilitation.
One thing that is paramount in the development of any given state is peace. Acrimony and rancour are dangerous to the progress of any community. Hence no state develops without peace.
For the state to be developed politicians should bury their hatchets and proffer ideas and programmes that will ignite speedy socio economic development. The issue of campaign of calumny and championing of the ethnicity cannot help the state to grow. To build a united and indivisible Rivers State, every Tom, Dick and Harry irrespective of their parties affiliation should join hands with the government of Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to move the state forward. ###
DAMIETE WEST
08037502931
wdamiete@yahoo.com
