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Odili Canvasses Sincere Africa/West Relations
By Adeyeye Joseph, 12.04.2004
Rivers State Governor Dr Peter Odili has called on Western nations to offer 'a true hand of fellowship' in their relations with African countries. Governor Odili made the call, yesterday, in Milan, Italy where he received an award, The Order of Merit - BENEMERENZA from the Region of Lombardia. A release issued by the governor's Chief Press Secretary said the award was presented to Odili by the President of the region, Dr Roberto Formigoni at a ceremony witnessed by European business entrepreneurs and many Nigerians in Europe. According to the governor his call was premised on the fact that African countries century have little resources to meet their challenges and would therefore need the help of Western countries. He said African countries have to "allocate relatively meagre resources to build basic infrastructure, educate our people, combat 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." 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 whohe said 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.
Some of the dignitaries at the ceremony were Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Transport Minister Dr Abiye Sekibo, State PDP Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and many others.
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