From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared today a public holiday, to enable the people of Rivers State give the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, a rousing welcome.
The president-elect during his two days official visit to Rivers State is scheduled to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta flyover and the ultra-modern Magistrates’ Court complex, Port Harcourt, today and tomorrow, respectively.
Governor Wike, in a state broadcast, yesterday, said during Tinubu’s presidential campaign visit to Rivers, had indicated intention to have him commission some strategic projects in the state after the general election.
He said a formal invitation was sent to the president-elect after the general election, which he graciously accepted.
Governor Wike explained that the proposed visit to Rivers State is Tinibu’s first official visit to any state since he emerged as the president-elect.
According to him, by this visit, the president-elect will join the long list of distinguished Nigerians the state had hosted to either flag off or commission landmark projects.
“For us, it is an honour to the government and people of Rivers State to host the president-elect on this historic visit. Consequently, I urge all Rivers citizens to come out en masse to receive our president-elect, Tinubu, and display the traditional Rivers hospitality as he commissions these legacy projects to God’s glory and the advancement of our development.
“Given this, I hereby declare today, a public holiday to enable the people of Rivers State to receive our president-elect rousingly.
“Furthermore, all shops and business premises on Rumuola to Rumuokwuta roads in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state shall remain closed from 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. today. I urge all labour unions and security agencies to comply with this closure order.”
Governor Wike, therefore, enjoined Rivers people to come out in great numbers and give, “our amiable president-elect a rousing welcome during his visit.”