Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has gifted a mansion to his predicessor former governor, Dr. Peter Odili, as he marks his 74th birthday.
Media aide to the Governor, Mr. Kelvin Ebiri, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, August 15, said the private residence was built and donated to Dr. Odili by the Rivers State Government.
According to the statement, the 74th birthday reception organised to honour the former governor was held at the new mansion located in Old Government Residential Area, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the ceremony, Wike described Dr. Peter Odili as a true leader of men who groomed many, and supported a lot of persons to political lamplight particularly in Rivers State and across the country.
“There was a time every political class abandoned Dr. Odili. This is a man who gave us everything. Some people called him Mr. Donatus. There was no abuse he did not get. Everybody he tried to help their families, at the end of the day, all betrayed him,” he said.
“For us, we have used him as a school and we thank him for making himself available for us to use him to learn so that we won’t be shocked of whatever that is going to happened.”
Governor Wike expressed delight for the opportunity to have known Dr. Odili and being able to celebrate him. He pointed to the several support and the gains from the political tutelage under Dr. Odili that had made him accomplish his political successes.
He reiterated that Odili’s benevolence made it possible for Ikwerre sons to emerge governors of Rivers State.
In his response, Dr. Peter Odili said, himself and his wife, Hon. Justice Mary Odili (retired) were overwhelmed by the birthday gift courtesy of the State government.
Odili explained that during his tenure as governor, governor Wike was the best performing council chairman in the State.
He lauded governor Wike for investing in human capacity development, infrastructure and building the best Law School campus in Port Harcourt.