I want to draw the attention of the Ijaw Youth Council leadership to the critical time that Rivers state faces at present. I wish to agree with IYC that her knowledge of the Rivers Polity is as broad as some of us true-minded Rivers People.I wish to urge the IYC to approach the Governor with developemtal needs of the Ijaw areas of Rivers State.

We know that the days of Upland/Riverine dichoctomy should be left for yester years.I believe firmly that the good will of all development loving Rivers People led to the emergence of Amaechi as the Governor of Rivers state. And the good advice of the IJC to the Governor would be of great value.

The issue of Port Harcourt mega city, though am hearing of it for the first time, is indeed a great idea. But again, I would task that Ijaw Youth Council with the issues of Geography.If the Governor gets enough land to locate a mega city in the Ikwerre area of the State, please let it be.Please support him and make it a reality. Please don't think like that Federal Government of Nigeria, which sees the development of the Niger-Delta in a nagative light just because it's in the south.

On the issue of The Rivers State University of science and Tecnology, I want to crave your indulgence to good reason. My problem is not in the proposed location but in the idea of waste.That is not a University for God"s sake! It's just a glorified primary school. I say this with due difference to the academia and interlectuals housed in that so called university. So, if Governor Amaechi wakes up to give Rivers people a glorious learning environment,please let us partner with him to realise that aim.

Again, you will argree with me that we need to heal in Rivers state; and truth and reconcilliation panel or what ever nomencleture its known with could help the healing process.Further, Amaechi do not have the reputation of rubishing people, not even leaders present or past. Peopele,s actions or inactions may rubish them , but truth and reconcilliation can bring soberness,forgiveness,restitution,hope and positive inter relationships.

I call on the IYC to help talk to Ateke Tom. The Odili days are over. Let us lead a new Rivers State of peace and progress.IYC knows more about the issues of Ateke Tom than anyone else.Rivers poeple knew the rivalry between Ateke Tom and Asari Dokubo,also an Ijaw youth leader.We all know the stories of arms and the possession of arms;and its very far from truth that Amaechi would plant arms any where to get at any person, while in fact those persons possess arms and illegally too. I task IYC to discourage the trend of activities that we witnessed in the Odili led Government that has left Rivers State as a place where people are kidnapped and no longer safe.

I pray Amaechi to deal softly with the Okrika Royal father. It's not very easy to give up a prodigal son. The relationship between the Royal father and Ateke Tom and others are only natural.But let me also plead to the Royal father to consider the greater interest of the state and continue to watch the movements of his kids, stall and nip evil behaviour in the bud.

I pray IYC to lobby Government and the Judiciary to show some difference to the royal father, Ateke and a few more for the good of us all.

Finally, I Y C could be actively involved in finding out areas of development that are best suited to her immediate constitutuency and the greater Rivers state.There fore, I pray IYC to leave out pointing fingers at the Governor Amaechi on these issues that we all know about. Amaechi has done no wrong. Let us partner with him to have a state that we can be proud of.

I use this opportunity to call on all well meaning Rivers people to rally around the Governor Amaechi to help facilitate the development of Rivers state. I charge other aspirants who have good ideas they intended to implement in Rivers State to package those ideas and let them be useful to Rivers development. We can only have one Governor at a time and our support will help ensure our success.

Godbless Rivers State.