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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared Wednesday, May 3 2023, as public holiday to enable the people of Rivers State give the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a rousing welcome.
Tinubu will be on a two-day official visit to Rivers State between Wednesday, May 3 and Thursday, May 4. During the visit, the president-elect iis scheduled to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta flyover and the ultra-modern Magistrates’ Court Complex, in Port Harcourt.
Wike, in a state broadcast on Tuesday, said during Tinubu’s presidential campaign in Rivers State, he indicated his intention to invite him to commission some strategic projects in the state after the general elections.
He said a formal invitation was sent to the president-elect after the general elections, which he graciously accepted.
Wike explained that proposed visit to Rivers State is Tinubu’s first official visit to any state since he emerged as the president-elect of Nigeria.
He added that the president-elect would join the long list of distinguished Nigerians the state has hosted to either kick-off or inaugurate 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, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed 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 Wednesday, 3rd May 2023, a public holiday to enable the people of Rivers State to receive our president-elect rousingly.
“I urge all labour unions and security agencies to comply with this closure order,” the governor said.
The governor directed all shops and businesses along Rumuola and Rumuokwuta, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state to remain closed between 8am and 3pm on Wednesday.
Wike enjoined Rivers people to come out in great numbers and give, ”our amiable president-elect a rousing welcome during his visit.”