Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the economic downturn in Nigeria negatively affected the standard of living across the country.
He urged all Nigerians to form a united front to salvage the country.
Speaking in Port Harcourt during a special dinner of the Knights of Saint John International, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery to honour her members given higher responsibilities, Wike said, at this point in nation’s history, unity is necessary to uplift the country out of the economic stagnation.
The governor said: “I am not an economist, but I know that if we present a united front, we will surmount our economic challenges”.
He noted that, the reports about security situation in Rivers State are merely orchestrated by entrenched political interests to create the wrong impression to the state.
According to governor, the mass insecurity that has been taken almost all the states require collective attention, instead of the recourse to propaganda to vilify states like Rivers, for political reasons.
“I am happy that this programme has attracted Catholics from several states of the federation. As you can see, Rivers State is safe for people to live and do business. All the stories you read are merely planted for political reasons.
“Today in Nigeria, Kidnapping has become the order of the day. From Lagos to Kogi, from Imo to Kaduna, from Ogun to Borno, there are different degrees of kidnapping and crime. In fact, in the case of one state, the Nigerian Airforce was deployed to bomb kidnappers. Today, the same Nigerian Airforce is involved in air surveillance on the Abuja -Kaduna expressway because of kidnappings.
“However, when two persons are kidnapped in Rivers State, it makes the front page. But if five persons are kidnapped in Lagos, the press hides it from the public. We are happy that more people now disregard the propaganda and are trooping to Rivers State for the purpose of investment, conferences, religious and social events”, governor maintained.
The honour bestowed on different Knights, among whom is Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court, the governor described it as an honour well deserved and a call to greater service to the nation.
In his remarks, Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), commended the Knights of Saint John International , Port Harcourt Grand Commandery for doing the right thing by recognizing a woman of substance who grew through the ranks to contribute her quota to the development of Nigeria.
Chairman of the occasion, Justice Paul Onumajulu said the honour bestowed on the honourees is a call for greater service to the society.
Also honoured was the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Francis Odesanya.
Prominent among those who witnessed the event include: the Former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, Former Ministers, Senior Knights from different states and members of the Rivers State Executive Council.
