In the eyes and belief nerves of the people of the Kalabari kingdom also referred to as the Elem Kalabari, a sub-group of the Ijaw tribe in Rivers state, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike undoubtedly remains a man who does good things.
For investing over ₦40 billion in development projects across Kalabari communities, Minister Wike was first honored and recognized by this traditional community with the title of Se-Ibi-Dokubo Kalabari, literally translated to mean, (He who does good things for Kalabari People).
But the Kalabari title of recognition is just one of those numerous awards that Wike attracted to himself and Rivers state in his eight years of leadership in the oil-rich region while delivering on critical interventionist programmes – from several policies to infrastructure development initiatives.
Before leaving office as Governor, Wike received a Distinguished Award in Infrastructure Delivery from former President Muhammadu Buhari at the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) on October 21, 2022. The award recognized his transformative infrastructure projects in Rivers state, including 12 flyovers, the Nigerian Law School complex, cancer treatment centers, and road networks. Such recognition by a President from a different political party underscored bipartisan acknowledgment of Wike’s achievements.
Even after office as Governor, many other awards continue to trickle in for the FCT Minister. Wike indeed, won the title of ‘Mr. Project’ as well as ‘Mr. Infrastructure’ very early in his first term as Rivers state Governor (2015–2019), after his infrastructural achievements gained widespread recognition.
In January 2023, Wike won the Governor of the Year in the Fourth Edition of the Bayelsa Media Network Award (BMNA) in Yenagoa, a recognition that the organizers said was for his uplift in the standard of living in his state. The former Rivers Governor in September same year, also won the Political Titan Award.
In June 2024, ThisNigeria newspaper recognized Wike with a Gold prize in Infrastructural Development and Exceptional Leadership an award, the Minister dedicated to President Bola Tinubu. In January the same year, the Leadership newspaper chose the former Governor as its Quinquennial Award of Outstanding Person in Governance and Infrastructure for the Year 2024.
The March 2025 Grand Reception for the FCT Minister by the Kalabari leaders and indigenes in Abalama to honour Wike’s legacy, is only a further feat in record of how courageously and selflessly he continues to carry out national assignments.
Thousands of youths and women were among different groups who crowded the streets of Abalama in jubilation to welcome Minister Wike and his entourage as they arrived the Ijaw community.
At the Abalama event, the leaders again praised Wike for his infrastructure projects, bridges, schools, land reclamation, and political leadership.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, who is also the Chairman of, Elders Council of Rivers State, emphasized the unprecedented honour bestowed upon the FCT Minister by the Kalabari nation.
Chief Alabraba who highlighted the selection of Abalama Town in Asari-Toro Local Government Area of Rivers state as the venue for the reception, citing its profound significance to the Kalabari people, thanked the FCT Minister for his commitment to inclusivity and the rule of law and for ensuring a sense of belonging for all ethnic groups in Rivers state.
Another speaker at the reception, the Director General of the Border Community Development Agency, Chief George Kelly, commended Wike for his contribution to the development of the Ijaw nation and the Kalabari community. He specifically acknowledged the Minister’s role in facilitating the historic election of an Ijaw son as Governor of Rivers state.
While responding, Minister Wike acknowledged the significance of the reception and expressed his profound gratitude to the Kalabari nation for their capacity and support. He said their show of solidarity has dispelled any notion of ethnic or tribal division within the state.
According to the Minister, “What you have done today is to tell the world that all the noise in the radio is not the real thing. You are the Kalabaris, you are of the Ijaw nation and you are receiving me today. God will continue to bless you. I will continue to stand by you. I will continue to support you wherever you want me to support you”.
While reaffirming his unwavering support for the Ijaw nation, Minister Wike stated that his endorsement of the current Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, stemmed from genuine love for the Ijaw people.
“Let me say it clearly, what I said in my interview, people will want to misinterpret it. Whatever they want to misinterpret is their business. I want to repeat it; we are all working together. If we don’t work together, it would have been difficult to produce a Governor. That’s what I said”.
Addressing the current political situation in Rivers State, Minister Wike attributed the conflict to personal interests and the Governor’s alliances with those who had previously opposed his election.
According to a statement by the Director of Press in the Minister’s office, Anthony Ogunleye, Wike recalled his initial agreement with the Governor to foster unity and progress but expressed regret over the subsequent breakdown of trust and the adoption of policies that deviated from their shared vision.
The Minister criticized the Governor’s decision to surround himself with individuals who had previously opposed his candidacy, alleging that they were providing detrimental advice. He also condemned the seizure of allowances for State Assembly members, which he deemed unjust.
“All these things you are seeing, I told the Governor, God gave you something, eat it peacefully. It is not good for you to face this crisis. But they told him you are governor. You have money. Money is not everything. All these people have nothing to offer. See where we are now. How far?
Regarding calls for peace, Wike restated that he would not interfere with the duties of the State Assembly. He expressed disappointment with the Governor repeated reneging on agreements, including those brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and asserted that the Governor’s actions demonstrated a lack of reliability.
He said, “I’m not going to stop the State Assembly members from performing their constitutional duties. The Assembly should be allowed to perform their constitutional duties. People who love peace don’t threaten people. The more you threaten, the more you worsen the situation. Assembly people should do their work. Whatever they deem necessary that is constitutional, they should do”.
Minister stated “Mr. President invited all of us for peace. After that day, we the leaders sat. We told the Assembly to drop that impeachment notice since Mr. President has intervened for peace. Instead of them to do their own part, they instigated so many court actions, using it as an excuse.
“When the President intervened, they went to court challenging Mr. President that he assumed power that is not constitutional. You that went to court that the President has no power to settle, now you are running back to the same President. You must be consistent with your action” Wike stressed.
Minister Wike reiterated his dedication and support for the Ijaw nation, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and rewarding those who have contributed to the community.
He said, “Our efforts, our sweat, we cannot be pushed out. All of you suffered and somebody will just come because they gave him power overnight and say get out. …Anybody who remembers you in the rainy season, will also remember you in the dry season. Assuming that Mr. President did not give us this position we occupy and we were hoping that we had a Governor that will take care of our people, what would have happened today to us?”
He called on the people to remain law-abiding and disregard attempts by mischief makers to cause ethnic division in the State.
The Minister was accompanied to the grand reception by his political associates including Senator Philip Aduda, former minority Whip in the 9th Assembly and former Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives Honourable Chibudom Nwuched, Senator Mao Ohuanbuwa amongst others.
The thanksgiving service and grand civic reception ceremony, organized by Ijaw stakeholders under the aegis of the New Associates, featured vibrant cultural displays, including traditional dances and performances by women and youths showcasing the community’s appreciation for his legacy.
