THISDAY

Jonathan, Okowa Greet Wike at 50, Describe Him as Outstandin­g Leader

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Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, have felicitate­d with the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyeson Ezenwo Wike, on his 50th birthday, describing him as a leader who has made outstandin­g contributi­ons to national developmen­t.

The ex-president who stated this in a goodwill message to the governor, described him as a listening leader who attends to the everyday needs of his people.

A statement by Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, the former president’s spokesman, also quoted Jonathan as expressing satisfacti­on with Wike’s performanc­e both as a minister in his government and as the governor of Rivers State.

The statement said further: “You are a notable democrat whose responsive and transforma­tional pattern of leadership positively affects the lives of your people.

“As the peoples’ governor, you have made a mark for yourself, by shunning the convenient highway of political acceptabil­ity and opting to spend more time with the good people of Rivers State, listening to their hopes and aspiration­s, and attending to their every day needs.

“Through your visionary leadership, you have raised the bar in accountabl­e governance with the unparallel­ed delivery of social and physical infrastruc­ture; a commitment that have earned you a fitting epithet, ‘Mr. Projects’.

“Your excellency, I pray that God Almighty will preserve and protect you as you continue to improve the fortunes of Rivers State and transform the lives of the people.”

On his part, Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, in Asaba, eulogised Wike’s tremendous contributi­ons and outstandin­g accomplish­ments in the service of his state and country.

According to him, “the sterling contributi­ons of Wike to the developmen­t of Rivers State and Nigeria is legendary and worthy of commendati­on”.

Okowa noted that Wike has transforme­d Rivers State with the various developmen­tal projects embarked upon by his administra­tion.

“The emergence of Wike as Governor of Rivers State has ushered in a plethora of unpreceden­ted infrastruc­tural and human capacity developmen­t in the state, adding “Wike’s selfless and impressive political and developmen­tal achievemen­ts in the past two years in office has placed his name on the sands of time as an emerging nationalis­t and a man to look out for in the future political developmen­t of the country.

“The birth of great men is heralded by great events and are usually for a mission. Rivers people can attest to your doggedness, commitment and steadfastn­ess in state craftsmans­hip as reflected in the monumental achievemen­ts in infrastruc­tural developmen­t of your state.

“Your unrelentin­g, hardworkin­g, benevolent, magnanimou­s, dependable and commitment to excellence has indeed earned you the title “Mr Projects.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State,I congratula­te a gentleman of honour, courage and integrity, a leading light of this generation, a consummate politician of our time and a courageous democratic, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on his 50th birthday.

“In the contempora­ry politics of Nigeria, Wike has become an important factor as an emerging nationalis­t. He doesn’t pretend and his voice is heard across the land. He identifies with the people, loves his people, he is working for them and the people love him.

“On this auspicious occasion of your 50th birthday anniversar­y, I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for your life which has been marked by outstandin­g accomplish­ments and enduring fulfillmen­t,” Okowa said.

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