ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has declared Wednesday, 3 May, a public holiday.
According to him, this is to enable residents give Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a rousing welcome.
In a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike said the President-elect would inaugurate Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the ultra-modern Magistrates’ Court Complex, Port Harcourt, during his two-day official visit to Rivers on Wednesday and Thursday.
Wike said this in a state broadcast on Tuesday, noting that during Tinubu’s presidential campaign visit to Rivers, he indicated an intention to have him inaugurate 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.
Governor Wike further explained that the proposed visit to Rivers would beTinibu’s first official visit to any State since he emerged as the President-elect.
He said: “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 mass 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.
“Furthermore, all shops and business premises along 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. on Wednesday, 3rd May 2023. I urge all labour unions and security agencies to comply with this closure order.”
Wike enjoined Rivers people to come out in great numbers and give ”our amiable President-elect a rousing welcome during his visit.”