Some eminent persons including the former president Goodluck
Jonathan, Governor Nyesom Wike and former governor Peter Odili were among 127
people bestowed with awards yesterday at an event marking the golden jubilee of
the creation of Rivers State.
In his address, the state governor noted that the award was
in recognition of the various contributions of the awardees to the growth and
development of the state.
The state also honoured former military administrators that
had presided over the affairs of the old state at various in its history,
before Bayelsa State was carved out of it.
They Alfred Diete Spiff, Dauda Komo, Shehu Musa, Anthony
Ukpor, Ernest Adeleye, Group Captain Samson Ewang. In the same vein, former
civilian governors, Chief Rufus George and Sir Celestine Omehia were also given
awards even as Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of the former president was
honoured.
Other notable personalities honoured include: late Harold
Dappa Biriye, Ken Saro Wiwa and Elechi Amadi.
Former governor and current Minister of Transportation,
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who was conspicuously absent had in a statement
rejected the award given to him, and described it as a poisoned chalice.
[The SUN]
