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| Dr. Suanu Bliss Wikina (President, RiversStatefoundation INC | ) |
INTRODUCTION- SYNOPSIS
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENTS
IN RIVERS STATE
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES OF RIVERS STATE
CONCLUSION- ROAD MAP TO SUSTAINABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE USA
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES OF RIVERS STATE
CONCLUSION- ROAD MAP TO SUSTAINABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE USA
INTRODUCTION
As the
transition from the three regional geo-political structure sets in the post
independence Nigeria and in the heat of the Nigerian civil war, Rivers State
stands out as one of the first fruits of this transition. It is among the prime
states that break the bowels in the policy of state creation after the USA
model of state creation policy. On the 27th of May 2017 what is left of the political enclave
referred as Rivers State following the creation of Bayelsa State will be
clocking fifty (50) years of its creation. Rivers State as it is known today
was created by the administration of General Yakubu Gowon on the 27th
of May, 1967. How best we have performed in this journey of self rule as a
people and a state will be left for posterity to judge. Rivers State, the
Venice of Nigeria, surrounded by Rivers and Seas, a God given State rich in
human, mineral and natural resources,
HISTORY AND
DEVELOPMENTS IN RIVERS STATE
Obvious as
it is the history of Rivers State far out dates today’s celebration, however it
is a recollection of the doggedness, courage, brevity, boldness, perseverance
and patriotism of our founding fathers who weathered all odds to agitate for a
state of our own in the comity of ethnic nations in the larger political
structure called Nigeria. The creation of Rivers State in 1967 highlights years
of agitation before the colonial government at various conferences both at home
and overseas. It was however with intrigue that in the course of the
prosecution of the Nigerian civil war the military government opted to accede
to the yearning and aspiration of the Rivers people for a state. You can
vividly recall that the foundation for the creation commenced with the quest
for an oil river state and when this failed to materialised it was changed to
the Cross- Ogoja – Rivers (COR) State, yet this failed to actualise. Rivers
state is unique. It is a combination of diverse people highlighting the strong
belief in the tenet of Unity in diversity. Fundamental to their aspiration was
a new vision and with the indomitable spirit of perseverance our agitators
would not rest on their oars as firmness and persistence became their slogan
and as governance transited from the colonialist to self government so they kept
their demand on the front burner of all issues that concerns the emancipation
of our people. Ours is indeed a proud heritage when we
retrospect and arrive at the realisation that today we are celebrating our
enviable position as a pioneer state in Nigeria. A pacesetter in the
development process of our country. Today we recall with glee the sacrifices of
our heroes past and affirm to ourselves that their labour shall never be in
vain.
The Rivers State that produced the first
Nigerian born British trained undergraduate; the son of King William Dappa
Pepple in 1856, the first graduate of Nigerian origin, H. Jumbo, First
Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, Mr. Ajumogobia, Chief W.O. Briggs, was the first Federal
Minister of Education from the Rivers area. He was also reappointed as Federal
Minister of Trade in 1971. Chief Geofrey Kio Jaja
Amachree was among the first Nigerian lawyers to be admitted to the Inner Bar
in Britain as a Queens Counsel at the age of 43. Chief GKJ Amachree, was the first
Nigerian-born Solicitor General in 1958 and by the time the colonial
administration’s Legal Department was transformed into the Ministry of Justice,
he also became the first Permanent Secretary. and Chief GKJ Amachree was also
the First Black under- Secretary General to the United Nations. He was the
first Nigerian to own a Private Jet; Chief Bekinbo Nabo Graham Douglas was one of the first Senior Advocates of
Nigeria (SAN) etc. Prof Dagogo Fubara
was the first black man to graduate from the University of New Brunswick with a
PhD in Geodesy( Science of the earth) 1969.
In the agitation for the creation of Rivers
State, we shall not forget the courageous Chief Edmund Ashirim Unoshi and Chief
Harold Dappa biriye, Chief P.G
Warmate, His Royal Majesty Francis Alagoa Mingi X of Nembe, Chief Godfrey Kio
Jaja Amachree, Reverend E.T Dimiari, Chief Emanuel Aguma, Chief Thom Manuel,
Chief Napoleon Graham Douglas, Chief Opuogulaya,
Hon. E. S. Bezu, Barr. O. Inko-Tariah, Barr. Nwikaas, Chief T.A. Agbaka and
Chief D.A Kwosah, Chief Melford Okilo, Chief Mpi, Mr
Paul Birabi, Chief D.S. Oribo etc. We relish with pride in the courage,
brevity, boldness, patriotism and spiritedness of these great men and we
delight to mention them who in the face of extreme challenges and personal risk
to their life fought gallantly to actualise the dream of a state of our own.
Rivers State
was created 27th May 1967 with Port Harcourt as the State capital. Lt. Cmdr.
Alfred Papapreye Diete Spiff now the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, from Nembe, was
appointed First Military Governor of Rivers State. It was however not
immediately possible to move to Port Harcourt the Rivers State Capital due to
the ravages of war in the Eastern Region. It was therefore a Government in
exile run from No. 24 Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, the then Federal Capital of
Nigeria. Mr Charles Ashirim Unoshi was appointed the chief press secretary to
the Military Governnor. While the Military Governor’s office was still in
Lagos, Chief Dr. Melford Graham-Douglas (Kalabari), from Abonnema, was made the
first Administrator by the Government. Mr. Ken Sarowiwa, (Ogoni) from Khana was
appointed the Administrator for Bonny, and Captain Elechi Amadi an Ikwerre from
Alu, was also appointed the Administrator for Port Harcourt, until when The
Military Governor took up office in Port Harcourt, Capital of the Rivers State
on 1st September 1968.
Commonly
referred as the Rainbow state, a name that is quite apt and fitting, Rivers
State by its composition is a collection of ethnic nations with diverse
customary systems that have combined and unified themselves in a shared sense
of history, culture, hope and aspirations. These ethnic nations includes; Abua, Engenni, Ekpeye, Ikwerre, Etche, Kalabari,
Ogba, Ibani, Okrika, Ogoni, Opobo- Nkoro, etc. It is this ideal that have
united us in the pursuit of a common objective in our socio-political
development over the years. Many littoral city states of Rivers state were
acclaimed as the hub for the slave export to the new world. Bonny was renowned
for its strategic position as the major slave terminal where slaves were
transported to the new world of America and during the era of legitimate trade
in forest produce Bonny, Opobo and Abonnema city were significant as a major
route for the export of palm oil and other agricultural produce shipped to
Europe and the new world. On the other hand, hinterland communities like Aluu
in Ikwerre and Edeoha in Ekpeye etc, were to serve as the sources of raw
materials either in the slave trade era or the legitimate trade period. The
slave trade was a traumatic experience for the entire inhabitants of the various
communities that have today joined to be known as Rivers State. The foundation
for the relationship between the Rivers State and the United States of America
was therefore laid during this historical epoch. Over the years, Rivers State
has maintained its strategic economic relevance in Nigeria as it constitutes
the major oil hub of contemporary Nigeria. There exists therefore avalanche of
opportunities for business and other strategic programmes that will ensure the
sustainable development of the state.
CONTEMPORARY
CHALLENGES OF RIVERS STATE
Rivers State
was hitherto considered one of the most viable business destinations in Nigeria
due to the proximity to sources of raw materials on the one hand and the
peaceful disposition of the people which guaranteed security on the other hand.
Therefore, multi-national corporations throng to the state for business
endeavours. But it is therefore most disheartening that, with the number of
major oil producing and crude prospecting companies in the state, the rate of
unemployment among prospective Rivers applicants has constantly remained high.
There is the total absence of youth development platforms that will ensure that
potentials are not lost. This situation deny the youth of viable means of
harnessing their skills and talents that will ensure self engagement for
economic empowerment. In the absence of these, today, Rivers youths have been
converted to readymade tools at the beck and call of the politicians to chase
after percieved enemies. It is with a nostalgic feeling but without any
surprise that the hitherto most peaceful and hospitable state in Nigeria has
been transformed into a war theatre and social vices. With the ever present challenges
of unemployment and disempowerment among the youth population of the state,
environmental degradation occasioned by the pollution of our natural resources
and sources of livelihood; the consequences has been youth restiveness, Drug
abuse, Cultism, Assassination, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Raping of women, and
arson which are daily occurrence across our dear state. Interestingly, in
recent times across Nigeria there has been a scramble by individuals for the
establishment of private universities and polytechnics, television and radio
stations, hospitals and other social services institutions yet ours is a
pathetic situation when it is observed that in all these competition for the
establishment of these development institutions which would impact positively
on the immediate location of the institution none is attributed to Rivers
persona as wealthy Rivers indigenes show lack of interest in such laudable
ventures.
CONCLUSION-
ROAD MAP TO SUSTAINABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE USA
The
population of Rivers State indigenes in the United States is quite large and
with the Rivers State Foundation as the established umbrella body for all
Rivers State indigenes obviously the structural foundation has been laid for
the building of synergy, exchange of idea and expertise that will benefit the
both divide. Patriotic indigenes of Rivers State as our ambassadors at large should
capitalise on the opportunity of their residence in the united State of America
to generate support for the development of our dear State. The state is
yearning for ideas, especially external ideas; that will culminate in its
overall human capacity development and societal transformation. Yet, it is
heart rendering to state that there is a general apathy exhibited by our people
as it concerns the welfare of our state. It is an audacious reasoning to point
out that our wholesome lack of commitment and a displayed feeling of
indifference towards the development of our state has brought us to our knees.
It then appears that we are devoid of that spirit of being proactive and
foresighted as exhibited by our fore fathers.
However,
signs are ominous that with the event you are holding this year which
essentially is a commemoration of our fifty (50) years bonding and brotherhood
as a state, certainly the stage is set for a retrospective evaluation of our
aspirations and achievements with an intricate attention focused on the most
difficult aspects of the objectives which you have set for yourselves that
though you have not achieved, but with zeal and commitment coupled with an
audacious feeling of certainty you are bound to surmount them and you would
have written your names in gold in the heart of future generations. We are
waiting for an opportunity and platform that will create the synergy between
our brothers and sisters in the United States and those back home in Rivers
State of Nigeria.
The onus
falls on the membership of the Rivers State foundation to chart a new course
that will carry us into the next fifty (50) years of our development process. The
development of River State requires a lot of money which fortunately our Area
produces, Our’s today is not a lack of money rather the lack of ideas and
vision which has denied us of the political will to take advantage of our
natural endowment to diversify our economy. BASED THEREFORE ON THE PRINCIPLES
OF COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE OUR GOAL TODAY SHOULD BE TO DEVELOP THE UPLAND SECTION
INTO A GLOBAL AGRICULTURAL AND INDUTRIAL HUB WHILE THE RIVERINE COMMUNITIES OF RIVERS
STATE BE TRANSFORMED INTO THE TOURISM PARADISE DESTINATIONS OF AFRICA LIKE THE
MALDIVES, SEYCHELLES, BALI AND THE CARRIBEANS ISLAND with Port Harcourt as its
Gateway. Becoming a tourist destination is natural to our terrain and very
profitable today and will be more profitable in the future. These ideas if
properly harnessed will support productivity in the whole State and prepare our
People for the near future as we work towards the diversification of the mono
cultural oil economy.
As you convene on 1-5 of September 2017 in Chicago Illinois I wish all a happy and fruitful celebrations.
As you convene on 1-5 of September 2017 in Chicago Illinois I wish all a happy and fruitful celebrations.
WE SALUTE
OUR RIVERS CHIEFS AND ELDERS, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS, WHO DID NOT SELL US OUT FOR
CHEAP SELFISH BRIBES AND INDIVIDUAL LOVE OF MONEY AND POWER. WE SALUTE THEIR
COURAGE AND DIGNITY FOR NOT ALLOWING THEMSELVES SWALLOWED UP BY THE LARGER GEO
POLITICAL GROUPS. THEY HAVE PRESERVED OUR IDENTITY, CULTURE AND DIGNITY. LET US
FOLLOW THEIR FOOTSTEPS.
GOD SURELY SHALL
BLESS YOUR ENDEAVOURS AS YOU JOURNEY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
LONG LIVE
THE RIVERS STATE FOUNDATION
LONG LIVE
RIVERS STATE
LONG LIVE
NIGERIA
http://riversstatefoundationinc.org/
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