By Simeon Nwakaudu

The Rivers State Golden Jubilee celebration brought to the fore, the glorious  history of the state, her culture, peoples, resources , achievements and contributions  to the development of the country. A human  touch was added to the pomp and celebration as the wife of the state governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike ensured the involvement of the less privileged in the Rivers Golden Jubilee Celebrations. 

Justice Nyesom-Wike used the Rivers Golden Jubilee as yet another platform to extend compassion to the less privileged.  Justice Nyesom-Wike took out quality time to hang out with the less privileged  in old people’s homes, orphanages, remand homes and public hospitals.

On May 27, 2017, Justice Nyesom-Wike in company of the Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Ukel Oyagiri and other prominent Rivers women visited Manna Widows Foundation, where sang and danced with the women, assuring them that the administration of her husband will always protect their interest through key projects and programmes.

She thanked the widows for their prayers for the governor and the state avowing that the prayers of the women have been responsible for his success.

“That is why the governor is successful as God is making him achieve for the people. God answers the prayers of the widows and his ears are always open to their cries,” said Justice Nyesom-Wike who enjoined them to continue to pray for the governor, so that “he will continue with his good works and for him to end well.”

Her visit to the Compassion Centre for Physically Challenged Children also witnessed an expression of love and generosity where on behalf of the state government and the Golden Jubilee Committee, she donated 10 wheelchairs, washing machine, a cooker, foodstuff and cash gifts.

Speaking to the children of the home, Justice Nyesom-Wike said: “We are here to celebrate the Golden Jubilee with you and support you, so that your Golden Jubilee would be memorable.”

She acknowledged the efforts of the administrators of the homes visited, saying that they are working to help the society develop by helping the less privileged.

She also visited the Priesthood Holy Charity Home where the administrator of the home told a stunned audience four days prior to their visit, the inmates of the home were drinking “garri.”

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The wife of the governor donated foodstuffs to the home and brought smile to the faces of the inmates.

Rivers State Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Ukel Oyagiri represented the governor’s wife during visits to other homes such as Home for the Elderly, Port Harcourt Remand Home, The Child Special School and Chesire Home, Port Harcourt.

Justice Nyesom-Wike also assured the administrators of the homes that she would continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure the sustenance of welfare to all the registered homes.

To ensure that these less privileged Rivers people felt the impact of the celebrations, Wife of the Rivers State Governor through the Golden Jubilee Committee facilitated the sinking of borehole, supply of fridges and washing machines, presentation of cash gifts, foodstuff and essential supplies in line with the respective needs of the different   homes.

Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike added a novel touch to the celebrations with the introduction of the Golden Jubilee Babies. With the Women leaders of Rivers State, she subsequently visited three Golden Jubilee Babies delivered in the early hours of May 27, 2017.  The three babies are Nneka Tracy Odia (delivered by 3.50am at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital), Ngenibo Sonime (born by 4am) and Zakari Rashidi ( born by 4.15am).

The babies were delivered at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt.  Two of the babies were born to indigenes, while one was born to a resident of the state.

Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike also used the visits to emphasise the need for Rivers people to always show compassion  to one another.

She said: “We must continue to show charity because that is the only way that we can show that we are God’s Children and that we do love. Please go out there, visit a home and get your family attached to it . So that as the year goes on, you have a relationship with the children in the homes. By that way, you are grooming your children to be charitable. That way, we will be training our children to be better leaders tomorrow. “

Justice Nyesom-Wike called on the public to be supportive of the Wike administration and be law-abiding at all times. She implored the people of the state to continue to  pray  for their leaders, so that the transformation  taking place can be sustained.

“This is our 50th Year of the creation of Rivers State. We have achieved so much. There is still much more that can be achieved as success is a continuing endeavour,” she said.