Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has announced that Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023, will be a public holiday in Rivers State.
The governor made this known in a state broadcast on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
He explained that President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had indicated his desire to commission some strategic projects in Rivers State during his presidential campaign visit to the state.
Recall that a formal invitation was earlier sent to the President-Elect after the general elections, which he graciously accepted.
The Governor said the move is to allow the people of the state to give the President-Elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a warm welcome during his two-day visit to the state.
Tinubu is expected to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the ultra-modern Magistrates’ Court Complex, Port Harcourt, on May 3rd and 4th, respectively, during his official visit to Rivers State.
According to Governor Wike, Senator Tinubu’s visit to Rivers State marks his first official visit to any state since he emerged as the President-Elect of Nigeria. By visiting the state, Senator Tinubu will join a long list of distinguished Nigerians who have either flagged off or commissioned landmark projects in Rivers State.
He said: “For us, it is an honour to the government and people of Rivers State to host the President-Elect on this historic visit. Consequently, I urge all Rivers citizens to come out en mass to receive our President-Elect, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and display the traditional Rivers hospitality as he commissions these legacy projects to God’s glory and the advancement of our development.
“Given this, I hereby declare Wednesday, 3rd May 2023, a public holiday to enable the people of Rivers State to receive our President-Elect rousingly.
“Furthermore, all shops and business premises along Rumuola to Rumuokwuta roads in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State shall remain closed from 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 3rd May 2023. I urge all labour unions and security agencies to comply with this closure order.”