Kalabari Civic Reception: Sokonte lied

It was  with great shame and dismay that we read a piece authored by Dr. Sokonte Davies as regards the Kalabari Civic Reception holding this Saturday 5th February 2022.
If the said article by Sokonte Davies was anything to go by, it was a clear reinforcement of the general perception that he is miserly with the truth or he has lost touch with his people and reality.

And the fact that he’s based in Abuja cannot be a good enough justification to be alienated so much that one is truly unaware of the true state of things and can boldly reflect same Ignorance or lies  in writing.
KALABARI CIVIC RECEPTION in Honour of Governor Nyesom Wike is being organized under the auspices of the Kalabari Ethnic Nationality Council of Traditional Rulers.

Three revered Kings representing the  three Kalabari LGAs sent the Letter of Invitation to the Executive Governor of the State and an Organising Committee was set up  to plan the event. As such it is quite surprising and disturbing that Sokonte Davies will fabricate stories in a  brazen attempt to deceive the public or to disrespect our revered Traditional Rulers by whipping up ethnic sentiments to bring them to disrepute with attempts to discredit an event of traditional and ethnic importance.

Even though Dr. Sokonte’s gaffes can be excused for haven lost touch with his people and the realities on ground, the evidence of Governor Wike’s intervention in Kalabari is there for all to see.
This particular Trans Kalabari road that has been used for political gimmicks by the past administration is now a reality as construction is presently ongoing.

Other notable projects in the Kalabari Kingdom includes;
1. Abonnema/Obonoma Bridge– Completed
2. Rehabilitation of Nyemoni Grammar School (NGS), Abonnema– Completed
3. Construction of Abonnema Ring Road– Completed
4. Abonnema/Obonoma Sandfilling/Land Reclamation–Ongoing
5. Rehabilitation of Abonnema General Hospital– Completed
6. Abalama Sandfilling/Land Reclamation– Completed
7. Rehabilitation of Kalabari National College (KNC)– Ongoing 

8. Rehabilitation of Degema Zonal Hospital–Completed
9. Reconstruction Oba-Ama High School, Bakana– Completed
10. Reconstruction of Community Secondary School, Tombia– Completed
11. Reconstruction of Community Secondary School, Obuama– Ongoing
12. Rehabilitation of Kalabari Girls High School, Buguma– Buguma–Ongoing
13. Reconstruction of Maryhood Bridge, Buguma– Completed
14. Rehabilitation of Buguma General Hospital– Completed

15. Kula Sandfilling/Land Reclamation–Ongoing, amongst others.16. Bakana Sandfilling  – Ongoing 
Under this same administration, the people of Kalabari currently occupy both the offices of the Deputy Governor and the Secretary to the State Government; and have the PH Campus of the Nigerian Law School named after the illustrious Kalabari icon – Dr. Nabo  Graham Douglas SAN . 

The above goes to show that the statement by Sokonte Davies that “Governor Wike IS NOT a lover of the Kalabaris and he HAS NOT developed the Kalabaris in any way” is but a fallacious statement laced with malicious sentiments.
Dr. Sokonte must know that there is a time for Politics and a time to become a Statesman. Governor Wike as of today remains the Governor of Rivers State for all Rivers people and events like this should be seen for its merits  and less on political sentiments. 

It is also on record that the Kalabaris being the most hospitable ethnic group in Nigeria have held similar events in honour of reputable leaders. During the days of NCNA, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was hosted, Melford Okilo was hosted, Shehu Shagari and most recently Dr Peter Odili. This is who we are as Kalabari people.

We hope and pray that our Abuja based brother will come back home with an open heart to see and appreciate the good things going on in our land.
The article was written by Dickson  Senibo