The Rivers State Governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has praised the
immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Tele Ikuru for his
meritorious service to the state during his eight years as Deputy
Governor.
Governor Wike made the remarks Sunday, at St. Simons Anglican Church,
Ikuru-Town in Andoni Local Government Area of the state during a
thanksgiving service by the former Deputy Governor for his successful
eight years of service in the state.
Governor Wike who was represented by the Secretary to the State
Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani, described Engr. Tele Ikuru as a
wonderful servant to the state, pointing out that he finished very strong
in view of his outstanding legacies.
He observed that it was Engr. Tele Ikuru’s track record that starred him
out to head the transition committee that ushered in the present
government.
“His Excellency has asked me to join you in this thanksgiving service, and
to say our brother Tele Ikuru had been a wonderful servant to Rivers
State. He served the state meritoriously and finish very strong. That is
why at the time we needed someone to midwife the transition government, we
did not have to look anywhere else, but to look at Tele Ikuru to lead us”,
he asserted.
The State Chief Executive pointed out that the Government and good people
of Rivers State will forever remain eternally grateful to Engr. Tele Ikuru
for what he has done, urging him to always remain steadfast, bearing in
mind that God knows best all that happened to him.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party,
PDP, Prince Uche Secondus lauded Engr. Tele Ikuru for his humble and
peaceful disposition which he noted stems out from his upbringing from a
humble family.
Prince Secondus likened Engr. Ikuru to his father who during his days in
the Civil Service served with all sense of diligent, humility and
faithfulness, returning money to government, saying he was not surprise
that Tele was not part of those who looted government properties in the
past administration.
In his speech, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Tele
Ikuru said the thanksgiving service was to thank God for his grace and
faithfulness to him and his family during the eight years of service to
the state as well as those who stood by him especially during the times of
challenges and difficulties the resent period of indecision.
Engr. Tele Ikuru however noted the ill-treatment accorded him by his boss,
Chibuike Amaechi inspite of his contribution to the government.
“I served this government for 7 years and 7 months under Amaechi, because
I was with Omehia for 5 months. At the end of the 7years and 7months
Amaechi did not think that I deserve any parting gift inspite of the fact
that in the course of this administration, by reason of the office I
occupied, I returned several monies to him valued over two billion Naira
cash at different times during one work or the other”, he pointed out.
“By reason of my contribution to this government, I also saved this
government not less than a hundred billion Naira over the period. At the
end of the 7 years and 7 months, my boss left me hard and dry, nothing and
no penny to go home with”, he added.
Engr. Tele Ikuru give glory to God for all that happened, saying he had
never expected reward from man in all he has done in life, rather he
always look up to God, observing that with the thanksgiving, he is sure
that God will remember him.
Earlier in his sermon, the curate of the church, Reverend Silas Okobye
Ikut, who spoke on the topic “Standing on the Existing Protocol”. Urged
all and sundry to follow God’s protocol which he noted has been
established since immemorial in order to bring about peace and good
governance in the state.