Fubara laments that cultists, troublemakers being celebrated over people of excellence

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has wondered why people seem so comfortable to allow society to degenerate into a place where troublemakers and cultists are being celebrated instead of excellence.

The Governor, therefore, urged those in positions of authority, particularly those serving in his administration, to work to reverse such an ugly trend by restoring the culture of reward for excellence.

Governor Fubara gave the charge while inaugurating the Governing Council of the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, and the Board of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The Governing Council of the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori has its Chairman as Prof. Roseline Konya; Chief Monday Lette Akpa, Dr Emmanuel Gogo-Nte, Tonia Alaputa, Mr Nnamdi C. Ake, Lucky Amadi, Ego Kpaniku, and Alabo Finebone, as members.

For the Board of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, SAN, will serve as Chairman; with Dr. Ernest Ekwe, Dr. Mina Ogbanga, Iseleye Amachree, Adokiye Oyagiri, Gift Alex-Hart, Mrs. Grace Osaronu, and Selinah Amonieah, as members.

Giving his charge, Governor Fubara urged them to appreciate the prevailing situation around the administration and the need for them to be intentional in providing their best services for the State.

Governor Fubara said the Governing Council of the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori and the Bureau of Public Procurement Board are vital units of the government, and are, therefore, required to be at optimal performance to ensure quality service delivery.

He said: “We have to work as if this government is ending tomorrow. And working that way is putting your all, doing what is right so that when we leave the office people will remember us for what we have done.

“I want every one of you to be professional. Let it not be about me. Let it be about the interest of our state. I can assure you that we will give you all the necessary support to make sure you succeed.”

To the members of the Board of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement, Governor Fubara said nothing less than professionalism is required so that government can get value for money.

He said, “You understand the challenges we are having. There is a lack of sufficient funds to carry out meaningful projects in our dear state. I want to charge you to be very objective. Scrutinise thoroughly and ensure that there is value for money.”

Fubara told the chairman and members of the Governing Council of the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, to work to reverse the sorry state of the academic performance of students.

He said with a Professor as the chairman of the Council, the lost glory of the institution should be restored.

Fubara recalled when the institution, at its outset, threw academic challenges to students who strived competitively to be graduates of the polytechnic.

Such academic feat, Fubara insisted, should be restored as a commitment to bringing back the cherished glory of the institution.

“We want you to work very hard for that institution, more especially if it is your own, you are from there. Part of the problem that we have in society today is because we have lost the aim of value. We don’t have what is called a value system anymore.

“People that are being celebrated are cultists. People that are being celebrated are people who cause problems, in one way or the other. It is no longer the norm when we say, we are looking at excellence, we are looking at good character,” he said.

Responding, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, Prof. Roseline Konya, expressed gratitude to the Governor for finding them worthy to serve and assured that they will, with enthusiasm and commitment, deliver on their mandate.

Under their watch, Prof Konya promised that they would resume immediately, assess the current situation and determine what can be done, both in the short term and long term to begin the restoration of the cherished glory of the institution.

On his part, the Chairman of the Board of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, SAN, noted the importance of the economic aspect of governance in determining the kind of success the administration will record.

Oko-Jaja assured that they will ensure adherence to the principle of transparency, efficiency and integrity in all bidding processes they will coordinate in order to have the best vendors as well as value for money.

He assured that members of the board will put the interest of Rivers people first in all their considerations while ensuring due diligence and process in projects and service delivery.