Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has conferred the honour of Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS) on PDP G5 Governors and others on Saturday.
Delivering a speech at the event, the Governor said the awards is not only for people of Rivers state but also for those who love Rivers state and have shown support to the state in one way or the other. People who have also shown relevance in governance and in other areas were also honoured at the event. Present at the event, were present and past state governors in Nigeria.
According to Wike, all the governors present will be awarded the Grand Service Star of Rivers State Award. He said only governors are entitled to receive the award.
In his word, ‘the only person that has be given the award was the wife of the former president of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan.
The governor expressed his gratitude to all the people who graced the occasion of the awards and those who have supported and contributed to the growth of River State.
“Sometimes I cry, how much are we paying them. See what these people have done for us,” he said.
The governor prides himself as a person that never abandons his friends. He said he will rather die than for him to abandon people that matter to him.
“I can tell you, as Rivers state remain, whatever affects my family affects Rivers state,” he stated.
Speaking further, Wike said though he is not a fan of President Buhari because he has not done well in other areas but he must acknowledge the fact that the president has done well by supporting his administration.
He said he can brag and boast about his performance as the executive governor of the state because he has “done well”.
He further endorsed his fellow G5 Governors who were awardees at the event. This include, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.
“In terms of principle, these young men you can trust any day, anytime.” he noted .
Other governors conferred with the highest honour of the Rivers State include; Others are Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa.
He said apart from Fayose, who does not “respect his elders”, Wike thanked all the former governors present at the event who were also listed in the awards category.
They included; Jonah Jang of Plateau, Donald Duke of Cross River, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, Ibrahim Idris of Kogi, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Theodore Orji of Abia, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo and a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olabode George from Lagos State.
The governor who said he was not going to read the written speech which was 45 pages long, did not take too long in delivering his speech.
After the governor’s speech was a performance by the Heritage cultural troupe from Makurdi who performed the swanky and cats dance, among other performances at the event.
