The 2022 Rivers State Honors and Awards for sons, daughters, friends, and supporters of the state might have come and gone, but memories of the epoch event held in the banquet hall of the state government on Saturday will linger on for many years to come.
The maverick Governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike while speaking during the ceremony tagged Rivers State honour, credited the event to the former governor of the state, Sir Peter Odili whom he said initiated the event during his time in office.
Recognisig the National Vice Chairman South-South, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, Governor Wike described him as a reliable, loyal and trusted friend who means well for the state and her people.
Gov Wike asserted that Chief Orbih is someone who always stands firm and solid for the truth and justice and whose loyalty to the late chief Tony Anenih in the past is to be ascribed to some of the political victimization and persecution he is facing today both in his state and at the PDP national.
Chief Orbih, it could be recalled, grew under the political tutelage and mentorship of late Chief Anenih, whose total interest he protected and fought for, till the former national leader of the PDP died in 2018.
Consequently, he has been facing some political victimization in his state, Edo, where the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki started picking up political battles against him less than 90 days after he was sworn into office for his second term, following his victory in the September 20, 2020 election, where Chief Orbih and Gov Wike went all out to ensure victory for Obaseki and the PDP in Edo State.
While appreciating Governor Wike for the recognition and honour, Chief Orbih told Truth Live News that he felt humbled by the honour and the kind comments the man now refers to as “Mr. Project” made about him as he sees loyalty and dedication to service and friendship as a way of life which he learnt under the mentorship of Chief Tony Anenih.
He said: “I am short of words to describe how I feel about the honour, I am particularly feeling appreciative for those kind words His Excellency Nyseom Wike used in describing my person, in short, I am humbled”
‘For me, loyalty to friendship and commitment to what is right has become parts of my life and being a political son to our late leader and father, these were some of the many virtues we received from him, studying under his political and leadership tutelage and I must say thank you to our amiable and hardworking Governor and appreciate to good people of Rivers State for this honour”, Chief Dan Orbih opined.
In what looked like a special night for Edo state leaders, six other prominent sons of the state were also mentioned for honours with Chief Dan Osi Orbih, they are former Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomole who was also a national chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Chief Mike Ogiadomhen, former chief of staff to President Jonathan, Chief Dr Abu Inu Umoru of SETRACO Construction Company LTD, Chief Ferdinand Orbih, Chief Mike Ozekhome, and Chief Austin Alegeh, the trio, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.