By Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
What was expected to be a beautiful, smooth, hitch-free event today at Mgbuoshimini, Rumueme,Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State -the commissioning of Model Primary School and Primary Health Care – unfortunately turned sour, as a strange heavy downpour robbed it of the pomp, pageantry and glamour that usually characterize such events.
TPCN gathered that as early as 9 a.m, guests had filled the venue of the programme at Mgbuoshimini, with all the Rivers State government officials, including the deputy governor, Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, commissioners, SAs and traditional rulers, including the respected Paramount Ruler of Rumueme Kingdom, Nyenweli Nsirim all present, waiting for the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, to arrive for the commissioning of the two projects.
But about fifteen minutes before the governors’ arrival later in the afternoon, heavy rain started, and guests began to scamper for shades to avoid being wet. Every available space, including the canopies, the toilets, frontage of the new model primary school and shops were filled to the brim. Some women who came in their uniforms, threw caution to the winds and turned some of the large pro-Wike flex banners in the venue to make-shift canopies and hid under them.
Some members of a traditional music group who tried to rescue the banner from the women met the strictest of resistance as the women barked and charged at them, overpowered them and held onto the banner.
The dignitaries sitting under the canopies were not spared by the rain as they were still soaked, because of the furious wind that blew the rain all about.
When Governor Wike and his entourage finally arrived under the rain, several umbrellas were fished out by his aides to usher them into their seats in the canopies.
Addressing the crowd, Governor Wike commended them for defying the rains to wait for him. He assured that his government would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.
He also promised to build a modern market for Mgbuoshimini Community while calling on the people to continue to support his government in its bid to transform the state.
In his speech before the commissioning, Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, hailed Governor Wike for his people-oriented projects since assuming power three years ago. Okowa called on Rivers people to support Wike’s re-election in 2019.
