Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, while expresssing disatisfaction at the fact that no edifice has been named after former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, in Rivers State, has announced that the state government will immortalise the fomer leader for creating the state and standing as a symbol of national unity.
The Governor said this while speaking at the Government House, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Saturday, when he received in audience Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and the National Officers of Nigeria Prays.
Governor Wike who urged the former Head of State to continue to play the role of a pillar of the nation’s indivisbility and unity, said, as a pragmatic leader, he will not wait for the former Head of State to pass away before duly recognising the contributions he made in the creation of Rivers State.
He declared : “Before you leave Rivers State, something will be named after you in order to immortalise your name . It is shocking that no edifice is named after General Gowon in the state years after creation “.
Speaking further, Governor Wike said : “God is keeping Nigeria today. Without God, Nigeria would have been gone. Every Nigerian created by God should support Nigeria Prays.
“God used you (General Gowon ) to create Rivers. Our administration is anchored on God. With God, we will achieve all our campaign promises we made to the people. For us, the only weapon we have is God “.
Earlier, Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon commended Governor Wike for accepting to host the South-South version of the Nigeria Prays rally. While congratulating Governor Wike for his election, the Former Head of State noted that the programme was aimed at the unity, stability and progress of the nation.
General Gowon stated that the Nigeria Prays rally for the South-South will also pray for the leadership of the country at all level. He pointed out that the rally would pray for God to grant the leaders the wisdom and courage to take the right decisions for the development of the country.
“We are here to pray for the country, its peace, unity, stability and progress “, the former Head of State said.
Also speaking, the National Director of Nigeria Prays, Pastor Moses Aransiola praised Governor Wike for taking the unprecedented decision to immortalise the former Head of State. He said the action of the governor will be rewarded by God who will stabilise his administration.
