The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday gave an insight into why former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, was nominated into the Federal Executive Council by President Bola Tinubu.
He said this at a book launch to mark the 57th birthday of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Senator Akpabio described the celebrant as a workaholic public officer and someone who gives his best in any office he finds himself, saying: โLet me tell you why you were nominated into the FEC by President Tinubu despite being an opposition politician.
โYour performance, as a local government chairman, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Government, Minister and two-term governor gave you the job.
โYou have made us proud as the FCT minister.
โYou have turned Abuja into a model city befitting the capital of a country.
โYou are a very committed public officer who is has no room for excuses on any given task.
โIn less than two years, you have turned Abuja into a huge construction site.
โToday we gather to celebrate not just the years in your life, but the life in your years.
โWe have come to honour not just the duration of your life, but the donation of your life and the countless ways youโve enriched the lives of the people around you.
โBorn in the tumultuous year of 1967, when the fabric of our nation was being tested in the fires of conflict, you emerged, my dear Wike, not in the safety of calm waters, but amid the storm itself.
โYou might have chosen to arrive in more tranquil times, but instead, you bravely came forth into the fray.
โIt is perhaps this very fortitude that has shaped your character, allowing you to rise like an eagle, soaring high above the tempests that beset us.
โAs a two-term governor, you have been a leader of the people, a visionary who acts with purpose, and a friend whose care for others knows no bounds.
โYour dedication to uplifting communities, as a Governor and now as an Honourable Minister, has left an indelible mark upon our nationโs history.
โThe bridges you have constructed โ both of steel and of spirit โ stand as testaments to your commitment to progress and unity.
โI recognised the fire within you long before you stepped into the public arena; you were, indeed, a secret waiting to be unveiled for the nation to behold.
โYour contributions to the political landscape of Nigeria, particularly during your governorship, shine like a beacon of hope.
โYour charismatic leadership and staunch advocacy for the rights of your constituents have focused on the pillars of infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
โYour passion for sports, particularly football, and your commitment to nurturing the talents of our youth reflect your unwavering belief in the potential of the next generation.
โYou have earned a reputation as a leader of uncompromising integrity, speaking truth in every circumstance even when the winds of injustice howl around you like a tempest.โ
Akpabio thanked the wife, children and family members of the celebrant, who have stood by him through thick and thin, saying: โLet us not forget, on this auspicious day, the steadfast support of your beloved wife.
โShe has stood beside you through trials and triumphs alike, her strength and encouragement complementing your leadership in extraordinary ways.
โTogether, you exemplify a partnership that inspires countless souls, proving that love and unity can elevate a leaderโs impact to unparalleled heights.
โNow, let us take a moment to appreciate your infectious spirit, which has the power to lighten the gravest of discussions with your wit and charm.
โYou remind us that politics is not merely a realm of policies and procedures; it is, at its core, about people โ about laughter, camaraderie, and the shared joy of our communities.
โMay this birthday bring you as much joy as you have bestowed upon others, and may you embrace even more adventures, more successes, and an ever-increasing momentum in your noble service to our beloved fatherland.
โHereโs to another year of making a difference, inspiring change, and, of course, sharing that signature smile that warms our hearts!
โHappy Birthday, Your Excellency, Chief Nyesom Wike, CON!
โIt is my fervent prayer that the years ahead will be filled with even more splendid moments, and that the remainder of your journey be more glorious than all that has come before.โ
