By Victor Enyinnaya on June 6, 2022

The mention of his name elicits varying emotions. This, you may say, is the price to pay for fame. Yes, less than few years ago, he was literally unknown, but however not a nobody at least, to a good number of Nigerians.

For one who could, ordinarily, have been satisfied with earning a living, safely padded from the dizzying demands of public office, he found himself following the path that fate and his passion for something for his people, charted for him. There has been no dull moments seven years plus now on the saddle as the number one citizen of Rivers State. a workaholic personified.

Today, under the characteristically piercing lights which prominence perpetually beams on him and his ilk, his life has become an open book. How did the journey begin for this man who turned his back on what many will consider a plum job, to throw his hat into Nigeria’s uncertain political ring?

Let me be honest with you that Governor Wike has stood out as one personality who never seek for publicity to highlight the great strides he has been trenching in all the nooks and crannies of his State, Rivers. Out of our conscience, after private tour of the State recently and his frontline role at the recently concluded Peoples Democratic Party Special Convention in Abuja, our board of Editors discussed extensively and critically as usual assigned the job for information gathered pieced together for the records.

According to the Governor, “Our path to greatness compels us to follow our imagination through the provision of essential developmental indices like provision of great network of roads, fly overs inclusive, reliable transport system, security, declaring free education from primary and secondary schools in the State plus paying of JAMB fees for indigenes, upgrading of schools and sundry”

The Governor has long become a rallying point. He provides classic infrastructures that meet all accepted international standards.

Congratulations on your doggedness in making bold statement at the recently concluded PDP convention in Abuja. Your high performance instincts and sportsmanship have continued to take the centre stage in Nigeria’s media space while the social media arena has been agog discussing his great qualities and kind of politics in this era where we have seen different strokes for different people because of quest for money and power. You have remained constant like the northern star as a major player from the east you have also shown that the sun rose from that God fearing and blessed area. It took conspiracy to unseat him at the recently concluded PDP Special Convention. If he is gullible, he would have taken the advantage of obvious loopholes in the exercise to challenge his great party but he has pledged to work assiduously with the PDP for not only Presidential victory to rescue Nigeria but to grab many more State, Senators and House of Representatives.

Of the truth, writing about the charismatic Governor Nyesome Ezenwo Wike is like scripting an encyclopedia or first borrowing the mouth of the Gargantuan in order to even make an attempt of it scholarly.

Yes, Governor Wike as a human being is not without his ‘faults’ and they are as legendary as they are real. People like him and loathe him with equal fervor and each have their strong reasons for doing so. Governor Wike is a leader’s leader extra-ordinary.  So without any prejudice, he is an all rounder of the first order. He does not pretend or fail in calling a spade by its name. Governor Wike does not talk to impress anybody. He mostly hated and to larger extent crops jealousy from his colleagues and others alike. He meant so many different things for different people. One obvious point instructive to make here , is that no matter whatever angle you may be looking or viewing it from even his ardent critics have agreed that he is never a controversial personality.

The story of Governor Nyesome Ezenwo Wike can be aptly as it brings to mind the words of Todd Skinner; “Since we cannot lower the mountains, we must elevate ourselves”

Wike has continued to make an indelible mark on the thinking and indeed lives of people who even never knew or met him as a worthy mentor to draw inspiration from, in their unique ways.

That, to be sure, is the true of making an impact on other lives. That is the true meaning of being a life changer in the true meaning of the word. That is the portrait of a monitor which Governor Nyesome Ezenwo Wike symbolizes.

Governor Wike’s agenda for the teeming youths and the young ones in Rivers State is not only unambiguously clear but also his trend is clearly well defined.

The story of Governor Wike as I did say from the start of this write up is a study in character. His impressive passion for his people and visitors alike for discovering, nurturing and inspiring a formidable team of leaders will be a source of encouragement to the young and old. Love him or hate him, he has proved beyond every reasonable doubt as being arousing leader in others.

He is blunt and straight. He carries lot of airs around. He never indulges in idol talks either. As an administrator of high and great repute, he faces squarely any task he believes in and ensures it’s completion on schedule excellently.

He is on personality that never sits around waiting for publicity. His works since he came into limelight from his local government as chairman Obio-Akpor Local Government Area spoke volumes hence it not only became his middle name but now synonymous with his name.

It is simply not surprising to imagine that in spite of his very busy schedules and the pressure of being a major fulcrum of support for his political party, Governor Nysom Ezebunwo Wike still has a soft spot for his family. Therefore it is instructive to note here that a man daily bogged down daily by sundry activities of how best to better the lives of his people still finds times to bond with mentoring his family and followers, in rare expression and reflection of care, love affection of care, love, affection and purposeful direction.

Again, since the emergence of Chief Wike as the chief executive of Rivers State, he has as well proved use of his magic wand, his characteristic and influence brought to bear on compelling the contending political forces to adopt moderate position. Wike has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that leaders are not victims. His skills when it comes to power play remains dripping. It has and has never overwhelmed him. His take has been that, men and women of honour must be in charge of affairs in the land.

He has proved to be a core loyal party man. PDP blood runs deep in his veins and he has shown such like no other.  During the recently concluded PDP Special Convention where he has placed his South South people in the frontline of the country’s main stream politics and despite the obvious loopholes, he vividly pointed out that which any lily livered PDP member would have cashed in and stop the convention via Court,  but according to him he will never be party to anything that would bring his PDP into disrepute therefore he has allowed the sleeping dog to lie quietly giving peace for the party to move on and plan for the crucial 2023 general elections which are critical to Nigeria and Nigerians.

As an outspoken man he did not fail to tell his fellow Governors betrayed him and there is fact in that because if these governors have pulled their votes together the story would not have been same.  As one with great and good heart, he has put all these behind him and forged ahead to work with the party’s Presidential candidate, Abubakar Atiku, both frontline PDP chieftains have visited each other and held fruitful way forward. Wike before the convention vowed that he would support whoever that emerged

Governor is not being swayed but his pedigree and focus on his avowed mission has proved to be backbone of his first performance in anything he lays his hands on. That is blunt but fair deal.

Many did give him chance when he first ventured into governance. He has performed creditably and still counting in all indices of human endeavour.   

Let us take a brief trip to sports sub sector. He has changed the face of sports in the State practically. No cosmetic instincts whatsoever. From Sharks Stadium to Yakubu Gowon Stadium the story of tremendous improvement on infrastructures with modern gadgets.  What about the Real Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt fitted with state of the art facilities for the boys.  It is delightful to behold as it resembles foreign land. Rivers State as one of the sports giants in Nigeria has been unable to win at least Nigeria Professional Football League despite heavy investment into it.

Recalled that when Governor Wike came to power he quickly beamed his searchlight on that sub-sector, one of the measures was the merging of Dolphin FC and legendary Sharks FC to throw up the present Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt which has shown immense capacity since the new birth. Baring anything the Port Harcourt based NPFL high flier would be crowned Champions of Nigerian Professional League 2022.

Governor Wike gave stronger teeth to the things he firmly believes vehemently in. He not only brought in quality players to ply their trade. Topical Governor, he retained Stanley Eguma as the head coach and foremost he brought on board, one of the experienced and transparent few in the land football administrator, Barrister Chris Green whose magical hand, acumen and determination has transformed and translating setting the team to the pathway of coasting home this year’s NPFL diadem for the first time since the new league was reborn.

To that effect, Governor Nysom Ezenwo Wike’s dripping huge investments in football cum sports development that took hold in the State got the eagle eyes of International Sports   Press Association (AIPS) which promptly conferred on him Power of Sports award.

It would be recalled that in a nomination letter to the Governor by the President AIPS Africa, Mitchell Obi, said Governor Wike is so recongised for his remarkable fidelity in raising the bar of sports matters and using sports as a catalyst for development. He delivered a powerful lecture on the topic “Peace and Progress” through Sports in Niger/Delta Region of Nigeria to the full house of the 94 year old very prestigious International Sports Press Association (AIPS) comprising no fewer than 108 countries.

Again during his term, Rivers State hosted African Wrestling Championship which was adjudged the very best ever. The Governor has been harvesting series of recongised AWARDS from reputable organizations, a testimony that is in public domain.

River State is transformed in all aspects, little wonder therefore he is referred to as MR. PROJECT.   Presently Rivers State  has a brand new look and as first visitor, you will be marveled that such governance exists in Nigeria that there is still glimmer of hope in the horizon if Nigeria gets it right when people who are passionate about the masses like Governor Nysom Ezenwo Wike mounts the saddle.

Before the curtain of this article is drawn, it is instructive to note again that his strong belief in human capital development remains second to none. He has inscribed his name in gold as one of the heroes of modern Rivers State.

It is no longer a hidden fact that he was born with greatness in his DNA.  Is his story inspiring and compelling? What you are reading is a tip of the iceberg, just a window into the life of this phenomenal mentor whose accomplishments and bold strides have continued to not only bestow the length and breath of the State but stun his friends and foes alike. Therefore welcome in the exciting and amazing world of His Excellency, Barrister Chief Nysom Ezenwo Wike CON, GSSRS, POS (AFRICA) Governor of Rivers State, patriot, humanist, performance par excellence whose friends cut across. He knows how best to oil relationships but he has been unlucky for such to reciprocate him. These betrayers never deter him from doing more. 

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted June 6, 2022

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