Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has said that no level of sabotage deliberately staged in some quarters will make him abandon the mandate given to him to serve, protect, and advance the fortunes of the state.

Fubara made the assertion on Thursday while declaring open the 115 and 116 combined Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt.

He reaffirmed his commitment to serve with humility, sincerity of purpose, and accountability.

The governor stated, “Although these are trying times, let us not forget that Rivers State is our collective inheritance, presently under my watch, to protect, defend, and advance it as the governor.

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“I assure you that I will not fail in this responsibility, nor will I surrender our mandate and progress to intimidation, blackmail, and deliberate sabotage.

“I reaffirm my earlier statement and recommit myself to the path of peace, as there is nothing to gain in a state of needless crisis.”

The governor added that drastic measures will be taken to strengthen education, healthcare, and social services across the state so that no part, including the rural areas, will be left behind.

In advancing these human capital development efforts, the governor emphasised that the 2024 budget of the state will prioritise and provide sufficient funding to create universal access to affordable and quality education and healthcare services in Rivers State.

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He added, “We will also take deliberate steps to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit among our teeming unemployed youths through viable initiatives on skills development, entrepreneurship training, and targeted investments in commercial agriculture.”

Meanwhile, Fubara also urged traditional rulers to be upright and royal fathers of integrity who do not compromise their neutrality.

He also enjoined them to be courageous and speak the truth to power so that they do not lose their moral authority and legitimacy before their people.

“We must all be worried about the plight of our youths, especially those in rural communities, most of whom are poor, neglected, and almost forgotten in the government’s development plans, policies, and actions.

“As we all know, no human society can progress without peace and security.

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“I will therefore urge you to continue to work tirelessly for the preservation of peace and security to attract sustainable development to your communities,” he advised.

The governor also harped on the need for everybody to have faith in the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration at the federal level.

He asserted that President Tinubu has shown determination in pulling the nation out of the prevailing economic nightmare and ushering in a new era of sustainable economic progress, which is very reassuring.

In his address, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, declared the firm support of the council to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was elected as the best and trusted to lead the state.

Awuse urged troublemakers who are fanning the ember of discord to cease the acts and allow the governor to concentrate on the work he was elected to do.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Charles Amadi, said his ministry has continued to maintain a harmonious relationship with the council and will continue to collaborate with them to ease the discharge of their roles as royal fathers in peacebuilding efforts in their domains.