The Best is yet to come by Paul Deeyah

It was a popular Radio Presenter/broadcaster, Mablas Macaulay Akpuloma Jnr. who whenever it was time to end his presentation on Radio Rivers, would sign up with the statement, “The Best is yet to come”.
Mablas Macaulay Akpuloma Junior at that time was arguably the best Radio presenter in this part of the country, yet he felt he hasnt given his best in his chosen field.

To him his best in music presentation, especially Raggae music which was his specialized brand is yet to come.
Good as he was in his brand, Mablas Akpuloma Jnr still wanted his listeners to expect more . He felt he has not yet given them his best . That is what everyone who is called upon to serve society should strive to do,, bringing out his or her best and also striving to affect life positively.

This is exactly what the new Governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara has demonstrated in the last few days of his administration.
I remembered in one of my series on Siminalayi when nay sayers and armchair critics had criticized his emergence as Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, I had told them that they should wait to see the best in this man of destiny. I told them that the Sim I know does not believe in noise making .

That he is a man of action.. I remembered telling them that since I knew this gentleman more than 20 years ago, he has not promised anything and failed to fulfill it. It was on the basis of these exceptional qualities and more that we had a firm belief in his ability to be a great governor that would make Rivers people proud.

And like a person in a hurry to get results, barely 3 days after being sworn in, he submitted the names of four commissioners who would assist him run the administration to the State 9th Assembly.
Governor Siminialayi Fubara has left no one in doubt of his desire to fasttract development in the state and improve the welfare of civil servants.

That the state Secretariat was his first port of call soon after assuming office is a testament to this and more importantly indicative of the obvious fact that he has not forgotten his route. Sim Fubara is one man who does not forget his people no matter the situation.

He knows that the Civil Service is his primary constituency and has made no mistake in reemphasizing that obvious fact. Even in his inaugural address at the swearing in ceremony Sim Fubara was unequivocal when he referred to the Civil service as his primary constituency. Rivers Civil servants should be happy that they have a governor who is not ashamed of identifying with them. Some would not have seen the need to embark on that very important and timely visit to the state Secretariat Complex.

Here is a man who showed humility and spirit of comradeship. His visit to the State Secretariat Complex has rekindled and re-energized hopes and boosted the morale of civil servants. It has given them a sense of belonging and the confidence that indeed the government of Siminalayi Fubara would not abandon them to their fate.

And true to their expectations, the governor promised that issues of workers welfare including staff promotion, and other entitlements will be given due attention. He equally assured the workers that the Secretariat would be made conducive for them with the provision of necessary facilities. I am sure that similar gestures would also be extended to retirees some of whose gratuities have remained unpaid since 2015.

For now all we have to do is to watch out for more surprises from Governor Sim Fubara.
He is indeed a true example of Mablas Macaulay Akpuloma Junior’s closing highlight of “The best is yet to come” and Rivers people will be happier for it.

Paul Deeyah, Broadcast Journalist/Writer and Former Director News Radio Rivers, writes from Port Harcourt.