Rivers State is a land filled with some of the best and brightest minds in the country. The state is home to vision crafters, entrepreneurs, engineers, social thinkers, captains of industries, and administrators who have excelled in their respective fields.
However, despite the abundance of talent in the state, we have failed to experience prosperity because we lack a solid foundation built on a development blueprint and leadership with integrity.
Technocrats, professionals, and social thinkers have shied away from politics and public governance, leaving the arena to individuals who do not have the best interests of the state at heart. This has resulted in the current state of affairs in Rivers State, which is far from what it should be.
The misconception that politics is a dirty game has been deeply ingrained in the minds of technocrats, professionals, and social thinkers in Rivers State. This has led them to believe that they should not venture into politics unless they are willing to stain their hands. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Developed societies put forward their best minds to occupy leadership positions. Even football clubs use their best eleven. So why do we do the opposite in Rivers State and still expect good governance? It is high time we put forward our best minds into leadership positions for the sake of our children.
As the saying goes, whatever a man sows he will reap. Since 1999, Rivers people have not deliberately sown good seeds into governance. We have sat on the fence or joined political camps for group interest rather than for the collective interest of Rivers State. It is time to change this narrative.
Technocrats, professionals, and social thinkers need to wake up from their slumber and get actively involved in politics by mobilizing, supporting, or financing individuals with a good conscience and people-oriented agenda, who wish to get into public office. This is the only way we can ensure that Rivers State experiences true prosperity.
The Gborogbosi Support Movement (GSM) and Rivers of our Dreams Initiative (ROODI) are two organizations that are dedicated to mobilizing and supporting individuals who have the best interests of Rivers State at heart. Technocrats, professionals, and social thinkers from Rivers State are encouraged to join these organizations and help put forward their best minds for the good of the state.
It is time for us to stop complaining and start taking action. We cannot continue to sit on the sidelines and watch as our state continues to lag behind. We must take responsibility for our future and work towards building a solid foundation for development. This can only be achieved when we put forward our best minds to occupy leadership positions.
Rivers State is in dire need of development, and this can only be achieved when we put forward our best minds to occupy leadership positions. Together, we can build a prosperous Rivers State for ourselves and future generations.
Sir (Dr) Leesi Gabriel Gborogbosi
