• Polo stars celebrate Golden Jubilee
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated that his administration will embark on aggressive rural electrification as part of the state’s Golden Jubilee celebration.
Speaking at the weekend, during presentation of transformers donated to communities of Rivers East Senatorial District by Senator George Sekibo, Governor Wike said his administration was embarking on rural electrification in a bid to revive rural economies.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Chukwuemeka Woke, the governor said the rural electrification scheme would empower small and medium businesses in rural areas and also create jobs for unemployed youths.
Wike said: “The government believes that to stimulate the economies of rural communities, electrification is key. Once there is rural electrification, micro-economies will be activated and unemployed youths empowered.
“As part of our golden jubilee celebration, more communities will be linked to our aggressive rural electrification schemes.”
The governor said his administration was working with a major independent power producer to ensure uninterrupted power supply to major business and government facilities.
He said: “The state has set up a committee to interface with a major independent power producer to electrify key areas and facilities in Rivers. “This is to ensure that small and medium business owners have access to electricity to carry out their trades in a financially-friendly environment.” Governor Wike commended Sekibo for being a worthy lawmaker who placed the interest of his people above other considerations.
In his remarks, Sekibo said the distribution of transformers to benefitting communities was aimed at supporting the rural electrification scheme of the Wike administration.
Meanwhile, Polo players from across the country gathered in Port Harcourt at the weekend for the Rivers at 50 Polo Tournament hosted by the Port Harcourt Polo Club.
Governor Wike represented by Secretary to the State Government at the tournament, Kenneth Kobani, said the popularity of Polo as a sport is growing in the state.
The governor said Polo was no longer a sport exclusively for the elite, but for all lovers of competition.
He said: “As a government that believes in doing things for the generality of the populace, the Rivers State Government is proud to be associated with Polo.”
“Port Harcourt Polo Club in its own unique way, put up the Golden Jubilee Polo Tournament to celebrate the Rivers State Golden Jubilee.”
Wike assured the Polo Club of the continued support for the sport, noting that awareness for the game would be heightened.
He appealed to the people of the state to support all aspects of the Golden Jubilee celebration.
Representative of Governor Wike, assisted by the Alternate Chairman of the Golden Jubilee celebration Committee, Chief Onueze Okocha, handed out prizes and trophies to winners at the tournament.