Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has declared that the time is running out on enemies of the State who think they can eternally hold sway and frustrate governance.
Governor Fubara spoke on Friday in Ahoada Town when he inaugurated the remodeled Government Girls' Secondary School, Ahoada.
At the event, Governor Fubara was conferred with the traditional title of Eze Yawe Ugo Ekpeye (The king who brings happiness and joy to Ekpeye land) by the Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers.
Governor Fubara said "I am overwhelmed with joy, standing here this afternoon to celebrate the project that is not associated to vindictiveness.
"I used that word because this project was awarded before May 29, 2023 and it wasn't funded.
"The contractors are not even people I know, and by the special grace of God, because of the importance of education that we see as a key thing, that we must follow, not withstanding our problem, we invited the contractors in the August of that year and charged them that we are going to fund this project and we are not interested in changing the contractor.
"And I can say that, that should speak to the kind of person that is leading this State."
Governor Fubara also said: "I understand the emotions that is being displayed here today, I feel for this great kingdom.
"When the Eze Ekpeye was talking, a lot of you don't understand what happened. Because of their support for me, he was arrested, charged for faults accusations.
"He stayed in police custody for more than 4 months, himself and Cassidy.
"We are not even talking about my Chief of Staff. Because of the support that he has publicly displayed, he was even declared wanted so that they can maybe reduce our influence.
"But the truth is always very clear, enemy has a time, his team cannot last for ever. And I can assure you with all boldness today that they are gradually coming to an end.
"What we just need is to be patient, we have promised that our tactics will be following this process we patient and the fear of God and will get there."
Governor further said: "On Wednesday this week, we inaugurated a project, an 11.8 kilometer road, Okehi-Umuola-Eberi link road.
"It Is a road that connected Omuma and Etche Local Government Areas. And we made very bold statement there to say that very soon we will be going to Omuma to also inaugurate another project.
"And we challenged them that the project we are going to commission in Omuma will be the first project that they are seeing (in 8 years).
"A few days later, those people who felt that the only that they can do to survive is social media and to sell dogs responded.
"I wondered why you (such person) will go to school, your parents will spend money on you and the only profession you chose to be is a data boy and to sell dogs.
"If they love you, the appointment that they gave to one boy the other day, if you were good, why don't they give you the appointment?
"Go and check yourself, something is wrong with you. It is not about coming to abuse people, think about your life, are you living a quality life?
"Even if you are asked to abuse people, at times, you should ask, what will people talk about me, knowing fully well that what I will say is not true.
"I stand here to say that even if there was a project commission at that time, it was a farm road.
"It has no connection to do anything. The project we are commissioning has significance and that is what we should be talking about.
"It is not just going to do one useless project and you called people out to come and commission.
"We are talking about projects that will add value to the life of the people that you have decided to govern with the support of your people.
"So, we will not celebrate things that will not have meaning on the people. That is why we are here today to inaugurate this school, this special school for people that are going to be mothers to this great nation.
"People that will be wives to great men. And if you don't produce a quality girl child, it means the nation is gone.
"So, you can see, everybody can attest that we are strategic, it is not just doing, but doing what is right.
"I assure our people that we will not do anything that we cannot stand by and be proud of ourselves that we did something right.
"So, Eze Ekpeye and other traditional rulers here, you have suffered in course of supporting us, your request for the recognition of other stools will be granted.
"On the issue of the extension of this road, to tell you that our interest is not just coming to commission, but also looking at other things that will help effective running of this place, we decided to work on this road because we find out that the other access road to this place was bad.
"When I drove in here for inspection, my heart was sinking and prayed that my vehicle did not collapse because we had to use the bridge and it wasn't strong.
"So, I can assure you here that the only thing you need to do for us is prayer. Let us get our money and with more money, that 1 kilometer remaining to complete the bridge will be added to the project.
"As for the internal roads and other things, you already know the story there. The person the job was given to, wonderful young man but doesn't have the boldness.
"He can't look at truth and say what they are doing and what we are doing is bad. So, I feel it will be wrong for me to continue to sponsor somebody who has come openly to declare himself an enemy of the state.
"So that project, I believed, the Ministry of Works has written to them. I am going to cancel it officially and reaward it for the completion.
"I want to thank the good people of Ekpeye, not just Ahoada East, you gave us all the support.
"You have shown publicly and openly your position in this government, we will support you with everything that we have got.
"We will make sure that your son who decided to follow us, will be very, very honoured here.
"What he will attract to you, this is just the beginning. But, I have an appeal, be peace loving, avoid anything that will give the enemy any opportunity to attack you."
Providing the description of the prophet, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ovy Chinedum Chukwuma said there are three distinct buildings handled separately by three contractors; Mcaretrace Nigeria Limited -lot A, Azunda International Company Nigeria Limited-Lot B and Ketdeg Ventures -Lot C.
Dr Chukwuma explained that there are 2 blocks of 12 classrooms making a total of 24 classrooms, common rooms, Science laboratories fitted with computers for chemistry, physics, agriculture and biology.
There are a library, he said, an Assembly Hall, Offices, Stores, a Principal Quarters of 3-bedroom semi- detached bungalow, a Vice Principal Quarters of 2-bedroom block of 4 flats of one storey building.
Dr Chukwuma also listed an administrative block of offices, staff common rooms and conveniences, generator house with 2nos-40kva sound proof generator, gatehouse, roads and landscaping, perimeter fencing, overhead water tank for supply, sports facilities.
In his welcome address, Executive Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Chibudom Ezu, said the school, which was privately owned, metamorphosed into a missionary school before it was taken over, during the 1984/1985 academic session, by the State government when Dr Peter Odili was the governor.
As the only girls secondary school, Ezu informed that over the years, it suffered neglect with the structures becoming dilapidated, hideout for miscreants and as an horrific place, frustrated academic activities. He thanked Governor Fubara for his intervention that has remodeled the school into a conducive learning facility for students.
"We are not just inaugurating a physical structure; we are empowering the future leaders of our great state.
"We are providing a conductive learning environment that will nurture the minds of our young girls, equipping then with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex world." -According to a report by Rivers State Television.
