BY ANTHONY OGUNLEYE
All roads leading to the EUI Events Center along Abacha Road, GRA Port Harcourt, were choked with human and vehicular traffic. VIPs came down from their vehicles and worked for the last hundred meters to the very expansive venue selected to host the public lecture being held in honor of a man who can genuinely be described as the pride of his people.
The people came flamboyantly dressed, and various women groups identified by the brilliant colors of the George fabrics, which only came out on the most important of events, indicated the event’s significance.
Getting into the hall was a herculean task, but once in, the mammoth crowd in the hall was the first thing that struck one. The vast hall was filled, and people searched for standing spaces. The atmosphere radiated joy and happiness as they all awaited the arrival of the man of the moment.
They didn’t have long to wait. Some minutes after 10 a.m., the man of the moment, FCT Ministe, Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, GSSRS, walked in to great applause in the company of his son, close friends, and associates.
Friday, February 13th, was his 57th birthday, and members of the NEW Associates (NEW being an acronym for Nyesom Ezenwo Wike), an umbrella body of friends and all who shared his vision and political philosophy, marked the day with a public lecture titled “Pragmatic Strides of a Visionary Leader and Contemporary Issues of Society delivered by House Majority Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.
Welcoming all to the event, Chairman of the Organising Committee Senator George Sekibo set the stage for what turned to be an exciting and enlightening occasion. He said, “this occasion is a shared celebration of our history, where we are coming from, our present, what he(Wike) has been to us, our aspiration … its time to unite and honor the legacy of an exceptional leader”
The chairman of the occasion, Chief OCJ Okocha SAN, described the Minister as a superlative performer, saying” there is nothing you put in his hands that will not be turned to success”. He also gave an anecdote about a woman who, seeing an array of boats, chose to join the one piloted by Nyesom Wike. Even though she has no idea where it is going, she is confident that the pilot knows where it is going and will not lead her astray.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who came in a delegation of distinguished members of the upper chamber, in his remarks laced with humor, described how he nearly lost his way in Abuja because of the changes in road infrastructure put in place by the minister.
He advised that politicians desist from the politics of betrayal and treachery, saying they do not allow for good succession. He also said that the appointment of Wike as Minister was not by mistake but as a reward for hard work. He prayed that the minister gets as much as he has given others.
Delivering her goodwill message on behalf of the FCTA and residents of the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Hon. Minister of State, described her principal as a visionary leader and prayed for his long life in good health and prosperity.
The Peoples Democratic Party was not left out, and in their goodwill message, the National Vice Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja described Wike as one of the most committed and loyal party leaders who believes in the politics of fairness, equity, and justice.
The Senate President unveiled a 536-page book titled “A Remembrance of the Pragmatic Footprints of a Visionary Leader,” which features pictures of the minister’s projects and achievements as governor of Rivers State. The Book was distributed to guests, who were excited to receive it.
In his paper, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere lamented that many Nigerian leaders unfortunately still thought along ethnic, religious , and opportunistic terms. “there is no national philosophy, no national consciousness. We believe that during football, we all come together and support; that is something we can sleep on and after the match…”
One of the paper discussants and publisher of This Nigeria newspaper, Mr. Eric Osagie, believes that both leaders and followers are from the same stock and proceeded to extoll the virtues of the FCT Minister.
In his very brief remarks, the celebrant, Barrister Nyesom Wike, expressed surprise at the event’s attendance and thanked all h is associates who organized it. He also thanked all the attendes at the event and thanked all his associates who organized it. He also thanked all the attendees , stressing that the day was not meant for political statements and rhetoric but for celebration.
The event also featured traditional dances from various cultural troupes, and gifts were presented to the quite elated celebrant.
The joy on Chief wike’s face was quite palpable as he made his way out of the hall shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. A bemused young lady observing it all said she had not seen the minister so relaxed and at peace.
Her friend responded, “What do you expect? He is at home with his people and he is beloved.
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