Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State today signed three amended bills into law, one of which gives legal backing for the renaming of a polytechnic in Bori, Ogoni land, into Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, to honour the slain Ogoni Environmental rights activist slain by the draconian regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
Others include: Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition Amended Law No.5 of 2015) and the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Amended Law No. 4 of 2015.
Wike thanked the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi Ibani and the other legislators and remarked that this was the fourth time he would be assenting to a Bill since assuming office as Governor of Rivers State.
“The interest of the state is important to all of us”, he stressed.
Governor Wike said the kidnap prohibition amended law would checkmate the activities of kidnappers in the state.
“Whatever money or assets they have gotten through the process of kidnapping will be confiscated by the State Government”, he warned.
Wike noted that the renaming of the Rivers State Polytechnic to Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic is an attestation to the fact that Rivers State Government always appreciates and recognizes those who fought for her and the country in general.
“Everybody knows the contributions of Ken Saro-Wiwa, not only as an environmentalist, but also as the first Commissioner of Education at the creation of Rivers State in 1967”, he explained.
On the Traditional Rulers Law amendment law No 4 of 2015, he recalled the mixed reactions it elicited. “What is important to us is that you must respect traditional institutions and give them the pride of place they deserve”, Governor Wike maintained.
The governor commended the Speaker and his team for their collaboration with the Executive Arm of Government and assured members of the house that he will implement the new provisions in the amended laws.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ibani thanked the governor for assenting to the Bills.
“Today is one of the happiest days of my life”, he said.