The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to make a positive impact in the state before leaving office.
The governor stated that despite the myriad of distractions, his eyes are on the ball.
He also reacknowledged the hardship faced by the people, suing for patience and peaceful disposition as well as the need to work together with President Bola Tinubu and the state government to build that Nigeria and Rivers State that they all desire.
Fubara made the assertion during the funeral reception of the late Sister Inyangette Yobana, mother of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Ambassador Marvin Yobana, at her home town, Kono in Khana Council Area of the State on Saturday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Nelson Chukwudi, and sent to newsmen.
The governor reassured said, “We are in trying times. So, we need to work together to make sure that we build that Nigeria, that Rivers State of our dream.
“Please, everybody should learn to be patient and peaceful. It gets hard before it gets better. We are at the point of that breakthrough to a wonderful state and the envy of the country.
“When I say the envy of the country, if we pass through this state, Nigeria will be great. We just have to support Mr President to make sure that this phase passes.
“I have said it before, and I am saying it again: I will not leave without making a positive impact in the life of our State. No matter the distraction, our eyes are on the ball.
“We will not play with the education of our children. We will not joke with quality healthcare (for the people), and we will make sure that we invest heavily in food production in our State.”
Commenting on the funeral, Fubara noted that the deceased lived a good life, and left an indelible legacy worthy of emulation.
The governor admonished Yobana to follow the footsteps of his late mother in order to live long on earth as well as join hands with his siblings to ensure that the legacy of their mother is kept alive.
He said, “Mama has gone, I can say she lived a good life. Seventy is the Bible age when the blessings of God are upon you. For you to add an additional 10 plus, it means God loves you. So, Mr. Marvin, your mother lived well, and I believe that you will live like her so that you can also stay up to 80, if not more.
“And the secret is this: ensure that your hands are clean. Live a clean life. Don’t be in any meeting to undo people so that you don’t get old while you are still young.
“Just be strong and whatever is remaining, know that you are the head of the family. Join forces with other members of your family to ensure that the memory, the good life and the legacy of your mother are kept alive.”
He condoled with Yobana on behalf of the Simplified Movement, saying that the presence of members is to show support.
Fubara also thanked God that the deceased died at a time when he was in a position, with his contemporaries, working together with the state government, a paradigm shift from the time when the former local government chairmen despised the government.
He added, “What we are doing here is to show support to one of us, and I am happy that I am able to come to support him physically, not just by words. I also want to thank every one of you who came here to support our own.
“Mr. Marvin, please, on behalf of our big family: the Simplified Movement, I want to say that we feel your pains, we understand what you are going through. Even if your mother is 100 plus, when she leaves, you still feel that pain. So, we condole with you.
“You can imagine in our midst today, we have the 23 Local Government Area Caretaker Chairmen. Is it not God? If it was before, they would be hiding. Those would be hiding, but today, they are here with us.
“So, when I say he is eating from left and right, I know what I mean. You are a lucky man.”
Earlier while on his way with his entourage to Kono for the funeral ceremonies, the governor’s convoy had encountered a crowd of #EndBadGovernance protesters at Rumuobiakani Roundabout at the intersection of Trans Amadi Industrial Layout in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where the peaceful protesters cheered and chanted songs, praising Fubara for his people-centric policies.
Waving green leaves and chanting: “Our Governor, carry go”, “Our Governor, we are solidly behind you and your government”, the peaceful protesters swiftly cleared one lane of the dual-carriageway for easy passage of the governor’s convoy, amid excitement and jubilation.
