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Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili was yesterday in far away Milan in Italy awarded an Order of Merit - BENEMERENZA by the President of the Region of Lombardia Dr Roberto Formigoni in a ceremony that attracted many Nigerians in Europe and the European business entrepreneurs.
Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili was yesterday in far away Milan in Italy awarded an Order of Merit - BENEMERENZA by the President of the Region of Lombardia Dr Roberto Formigoni in a ceremony that attracted many Nigerians in Europe and the European business entrepreneurs.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Governor Odili who was elated by the honour done him, called on Western countries and their African counterparts to foster closer collaboration in order to realise the acknowledged potentials of Africa in the interest of humanity.
According to him, Africa in the 21st century still has to "allocate relatively meagre resources to build basic infrastructure, educate our people, combat diseases, even curable and irradicable diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, and now more challenging ailments of hepatitis Band C, HIV/AIDS, amongst the myriads of other challenging responsibilities of Government, especially in Africa, and in the developing world"
Governor Odili further said that what has been lacking in the relations between African states and the western nations is the focus, transparency and due process on the part of many African states, and the corollary commitment of the West in offering a hand of true fellowship that will serve as a powerful catalyst for growth and development.
He assured his hosts that such partnership as now existing between Rivers State and many companies from the Lombardy Region in Italy especially in the construction of part of the Omoku gas turbine and road construction was already yielding dividends and prayed that it be sustained for the benefit of the peoples of the two sides.
He used the opportunity to thank President Olusegun Obasanjo who was so impressed by the state's gas turbine project at Omoku that he promised to double the installed capacity of the station. The station is currently programmed to produce 150 megawatts of electricity when fully operational.
Speaking earlier, the President of Lombardia Region said that Governor Odili was chosen among prominent men and women all over the world in recognition of his excellent initiatives in governance and the development of his people through the development of infrastructure, brilliant health care services, and vocational training of youths through the skill acquisition programme. President Formigoni specially commended the Rivers State free education scheme at both primary and secondary school levels and described it as an invaluable investment in human capital.
"In today's, society, the real wealth of nations is in human capital" This proves your sensitivity to this area that no nation can ignore anymore. It is for these reasons that the Government of Lombardy region adjudged you fit and to acknowledge the transparency of your government and the high moral value of your person" he said saying that the award will serve as a way to improve the relationship between the people of Lombardia Region and Rivers State"
Some of the dignitaries at the ceremony are Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Transport Minister Dr Abiye Sekibo, State PDP Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, Speaker of RSHA Hon Chibuike Amaechi and many others.