Rivers State At 50: THE GENESIS AND ITS EVOLVING ACTIVITIES

The creation of Rivers State on May 27,
1967, amongst 11 others from the old
regional arrangement, was the climax of
the series of anti-minority movements or
agitations by the burgeoning leaders in a
region now known as South-South
geopolitical zone. In the broadcast that
gave birth to the states on that date, the
then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon
(rtd), reasoned that “creation of States is
the only possible basis; for stability and
equality” in the country.
Indeed, the creation of states gave the
minorities immeasurable sense of
belonging and paved the way for self-
actualisation. It also weakened the
attitude of dominance of the majority
tribes.
Popular and prominent platforms used in
advancing the cause in that period of our
history were the Rivers Chiefs and Peoples
Conference (RCPC), the Rivers Leaders of
Thought (RLT) and the Niger Delta
Congress; a political party founded and led
by Chief Harold DappaBiriye.
In the forefronts of the quest for states in
this part of the zone were irresistible men
like Chiefs Harold Dappa-Biriye,
Nwobudike Nwanodi, Emmanuel Oriji,
Wenike Briggs, Ashirim Unosi, M. D.
Selema, Richard Woyike and several
others, yet to be celebrated.
They came from different ethnic
backgrounds, political affiliations and
ideological leanings, but were united by a
common faith and cause. They were
focused, committed and undoubtedly
altruistic in their pursuits.
They were driven by a rare passion and
saturated with a desire to liberate their
people from years of unjustifiable neglect,
social and economic deprivation, as well
as political emasculation, experienced
even before independence in 1960. They
saw in the creation of Rivers State “the
salvation of the Niger Delta Peoples and
their environment, where there will be
parity of opportunities for all citizens
irrespective of the size”.
The emergent pioneer administrators,
under the leadership of a vision-driven
governor, Commodore Alfred Papapiriye
Diete-Spiff (rtd), now Amanyanabo of
Twon Brass in Bayelsa State, were thinkers
and brilliant in their different callings. They
were clear in their vision, and as pioneer
state builders, laid the solid foundation for
the rapid growth and development of the
young state.
Following the sudden termination of the
glorious era of the pioneer state builders
in 1976, the state came under a
succession of military dictators led by non-
indigenes that did not only fail to sustain
the pace of development but also
truncated the dream of the founding
fathers.
Notwithstanding, the achievements of the
era of the founding fathers were the envy
of other states. In the course of time,
Rivers State became one of the most
notable and populous states in the
federation, even after the creation of
Bayelsa State in 1996.
At the wake of democracy in 1999, a new
chapter in the socioeconomic and political
history of the State began. It was a new
dawn for the State and its people. Hope
was rekindled and aspirations ran high.
Expectations were equally high among the
citizenry who desired a breath of fresh air
after long period of military
administrations.
The political leadership from 1999 to date
tried to reverse the decades of anomalies
perpetrated by the military junta in
collaboration with some unpatriotic
citizens. Unfortunately, some, if not most
of the elected men and women, lacked the
profound emotion, “cast of mind” and
commitment that characterized the first
generation leaders.
Nevertheless, Rivers State today stands out
as one to be reckoned with in terms of
infrastructural development, social,
economic and political relevance amongst
states in the federation.
May 27, 2017, the state that once held and
still holds the hope for many will be 50
years old. By Providence, the Golden
Jubilee anniversary will rest on the
shoulders of the present administration
under the leadership of Governor Nyesom
Wike. Interestingly, it is happening at a
time when, many believe, the state is
undergoing reckonable socio-economic
changes; a kind of renaissance that has
rekindled hope, restored confidence in
governance and bolstered pride of the
people.
The celebration, no doubt, will transcend
fanfare and merry making. Obviously, it
will take stock of the diverse milestones in
the life of the state and its people, as well
as launch a sustainable development
graph that would prepare future
generations for the challenges of
statehood. In ad