“A compound that restricts entry, does it put others under oath? It is an African adage that summarily crowns the second quarter of the year 2016 in the annals of Rivers State history in the obvious dwindling of national economy orchestrated by the fall in oil prices. No doubt this calls for the diversification of Nigeria economy even in the glearing realities that current administration in the nation has no plans for the citizenry.
Before delving into the thrust of this episode of Issues Abattoir, “Significance of Rivers proliferated activities, As Anglican conference succeeds NBA”, it is with humility that the numerous readers and contributors to The Newswriter especially on Issues Abattoir column deserves our commendation once again for assisting us remain on the stand, Apps as well as on world wide web.
Your comments and contributions with regards to the last column titled “CTC Chairmen Mar The Governor’s Efforts” was commendable and encouraging, hence our gratitude. God bless you.
The underlining meaning for the adage at the initial paragraph is being interpreted “If one way closes the other opens”. The numerous activities and programmes hosted in Port Harcourt, Rivers Sate capital within the second quarter of the year 2016 could best defined a new direction in the search for an enduring, profitable and captivating economy, as they did not only grows the state economy but aimed at wooing investors to the state – if one way closesthe other opens”.
Those catalogues of activities that greeted the state was never lobbied for rather characterized by the respective organizations engagement prior to the emergence of the incumbent state governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Consequently, these programmes were lined up almost the same period and devoid of politics, the governor Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike without hesitation accepted to play host to the events for obvious reasons that would add to the aesthetics, social, political and above all economy of the state.
It is no gainsaying the fact that every state of the nation as well as the federal government herself is essentially battling with means to grow her economy, so is Rivers State not left out in the search.
On this premise, tourism by every respect constitutes a means for revenue generation. However, the convergence of the various organizations for their meetings was an act of tourism itself which had boasted the economy of the state, individuals and other corporate organizations as would be briefly mentioned and discussed below.
Second quarter meetings in Port Harcourt featured organizations such as the Nigerian Forum of Magistrates, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, as well as the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, PDP National Conventions was twice amongst others which could not be recalled.
In each of these conferences held in the capital city of Rivers State, there are stories of business improvement to tell. This is true and its against the ill speculations of some, particularly the main opposition party in the state.
Of all the benefits of the several conferences or meetings held and ongoing in Rivers State, it has launch the state into the reality of her peaceful disposition contrary to claims by the opposition All progressives congress, APC.
At the ongoing conference of the NBA at the King Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre Complex, the conferences afforded the conferees opportunity to experience the Night life of the capital City, the NBA outgoing president Augustine Aleghe was accorded the privilege to commission the rehabilitated Dr. Peter Odili road. The words of commendation by the NBA boss are better listened to than read.
The Attorney general and minister of Justice Nigeria, Justice Malemi applauded the state government and the governor for delivery gains of democracy to the people of the state. Malemi noted that when he led other top government functionaries and members of NBA on a courtesy visit on the state governor in Government House.
During the conference, NBA condemned the conflicting judgments delivered by judges of the Federal High Courts on same matter and urged the NJC as well as the Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, to act within the ambit of the law to restore normalcy describing the said judgments as a disgrace to the judiciary. The conference will come to a close on Friday 26th August, 2016.
The evidences and testimonies of the National bodies of NBA, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Nigerian Forum of Magistrates, the PDP and including those of the visit of the vice president, Professor Yemi Osibanjo on Ogoni cleanup can never in any way be an illusion to the Nigerian Nation and the international communities on the safety and peaceful disposition of Rivers State.
Recalled, the Attorney General and minister of Justice of another country, a conferee of ongoing NBA meeting was not excluded from the lists of commendations on the peaceful status of Rivers State.
Just after the end of NBA conference, the 2016 annual Sunday school conference of the Niger Delta Diocese, Anglican Communion will be holding at the same venue. This year’s conference has as its theme “And they followed Him – Mk 1:18 with “The Authority of the Believer” and “He is the same God” as sub-themes. It has the bishop of Amichi, Rt. Rev. Ephraim O. Ikeakor, Rt. Rev Samuel C. Ezeofor of the Diocese of Ogbaru and Evang. Chidi Ibenado as guest speakers and it kicks off on Wednesday 7th September, 2016, with over seventy thousand participants expected at the conference from across the eleven Archdeaconries, cathedral as well as other attendees from other denominations within and outside the state.
Indeed, the saying that “if there are bounty harvests the dog gets allocation of yams” is another replication of the current status of Rivers State under Governor Nyesom Wike.
The many conferences has boasted the economy such that the hawkers on the street is not denied patronage irrespective of is showcased as individual needs varies.
Business men and women in Rivers including others from neighbouring states are in Port Harcourt to hawk their wares and these contributed to the growth of the economy. Hotelians equally benefited because the visitors and residents alike lodge in the hotels. A walk on the street at Night after each day programme of the ongoing NBA conference or early in the morning would surely convince any doubting Thomases that hotelians have made it. Did you see and agree with the state government policy of enforcing existing tax laws for all hotels in the state to pay their taxes? Port Harcourt business life is best experienced at Night during and after the live sessions of these conferences.
No investor would see, noticed and experienced these activities being hosted and in an atmosphere of real peace and safety then resist coming for any business.
Another significance of the proliferated conferences in the state is that it has proved the workers of iniquity, enemies of the state and opposition political party wrong in their quests to truncate and frustrate the development of the state via the PDP led government.
The conferences has also in no mean measures demonstrated the hospitable culture of the people of Rivers State as well as exposed visitors alike to the developmental strides of the Peoples Democratic Party led state government under the dogged administration and vibrant legal luminary Chief, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
Little wonder the legal professionals emptied into Rivers State to show solidarity to one of their own. Infact, the lawyers are not only happy about governor Wike’s strides but very comfortable in Port Harcourt conference.
The Bar and the Bench, its suggested would not easily forget their memories of holding BAR conferences in Rivers State particularly during the tenure of Dr. Peter Otunanya Odili whose wife is a justice of the Supreme Court now and coupled with the incumbent governor who is a member of the association and Chief host of 2016 BAR conference.
Having highlighted above the significances of the numerous conferences in the state, it is worthy of note to say that Rivers State is indeed safe, secured and hospitable for investors in all sector to come and invest in the state with the aim of growing the state economy and put smiles on the faces of the citizenry.
The state is about hosting the Anglican Sunday School conference with the governor, Barr. Wike and his deputy Dr. Ipalibo Harry even as members of the church double as chief hosts.
It is enough of the incessant lies and blackmail against the state, perpetrators of these evil of running down the state must desist from acts capable of ruining the future of posterity but join hands with the governor to build a Rivers State where all would admire and love to live in. A word is enough for the wise.
“Indeed, when peace reigns, happiness reaches all sections of human endeavour.”###
With James Mgboineme
jamesthenewswriter@gmail.com.
