Nothing can change who I am! Not power. Not position. Not perks of office.
That was the declaration of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who declared, Tuesday, that he can never be power drunk nor get carried away by the humongous benefits that political power confer in this clime.
Rather, Fubara said he would remain himself, resolutely committed to his promises to the good people of Rivers State, and deliver on every point on his mandate as governor, and make the state a model for others to copy.
The Governor was speaking at a meeting he held with major stakeholders in Rivers State, elders and opinion leaders who paid him a courtesy visit in celebration of his 50th birthday at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara, who said he never believed in celebrating birthdays, told his august visitors that their coming to the Government House to celebrate him on his golden jubilee humbled him and moved him to tears.
“I want to say that I will still be the Fubara that you know,” the governor declared. “Power will not change me. I will still make sure that what I hold dear in life remains, which is God and my respect for people. I will continue to maintain it.
“Power will come, power will go, but I will still remain the Fubara that you know. With your support, that Rivers State that we all yearn for, we will definitely, even if we don’t get it completely, we will put those things in place that will channel and drive us to that Rivers State with your support.
“That is the only thing that I know I can assure you. I will not do anything or act in any manner that will bring disgrace to myself or to every one of you who have decided and are ready to sacrifice everything for us.
“This morning is a birthday morning. It is not a morning to discuss politics. It is a morning to say I am happy, I am 50 years, according to you. But the most important thing is that I am celebrating my Golden Jubilee. It means that I have joined the league of the old men from today.”
The Governor, on behalf of his wife, Lady Valerie, and family, expressed gratitude to God for divine grace and thanked the leaders who made such a huge sacrifice to come to the Government House so early to congratulate him and wish him well.
In his remark, a former Governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia, thanked God for installing Fubara, who, he said, had emerged as the deliverer of the state and its people from the stranglehold of people who are hellbent on choking and destroying the state.
Omehia added up everything and concluded that it was proper and worthwhile to celebrate such a patient and meticulous leader, widely loved by Nigerians, on his 50th birthday. This, according to the former governor, was more so when the incumbent governor he had continued to prioritise and safeguard the interests of the Rivers State and its people.
Omehia recounted the rock-solid faith that Fubara has so far demonstrated, coupled with the divine direction in governance that he is enjoying, and pledged the continued support commitment of Rivers people to the success of his administration.
Also speaking at the event, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, decried the chokehold of ‘kingmakers’ on the life of a state and its people.
Secondus declared categorically that regardless of who a kingmaker is, as soon as the king is crowned, such person must give way to the king to perform his duties. He, however, regretted that of the state, now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who styled himself as kingmaker, continued to aggressively distract the king.
But Secondus enthused that notwithstanding the crisis orchestrated by Wike, the people of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigerians, have stood in great admiration of the strength of character, fear and total trust in God, that Governor Fubara has demonstrated.
The Rivers people, Secondus further noted, staunchly appreciate Fubara for forging unity and inclusivity among the people and critical stakeholders, all of which, he maintained, were clear evidence of the governor’s mandate as divine.
“Regardless of whether you’re the kingmaker, as soon as the king has been crowned, you give way for the king to perform his duties,” Secondus said.
“But in that troubled water, Rivers people discover the character you (Fubara) are made of. You are made of steel, the fear of God, trusting in God, and trusting God in totality that attracts admiration and love from all the toes of Rivers people.”
Highlights of the occasion included: prayers by the clergy for the Governor, his administration and the state; cutting of the 50th Birthday cake by the Governor, supported by his wife; presentation of gifts to the celebrant; rendition of special birthday songs; and a toast to life, excellence and divine blessings.
Later Tuesday morning, members of the State Executive Council, Local Government Council chairmen, Permanent Secretaries, Government House staff, Service Commanders, and many invited guests, took turns to celebrate Fubara, bathing him with prayers, gifts and praises.
