For the second time in two weeks, Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State governor, has called on Chief Rotimi Amaechi, the Transportation Minister and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in the state, as well as other politicians to take advantage of his post-election olive branch for the development of the state.

Wike restated this during a congratulatory visit by the Governing Council of the Rivers State University at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, saying the state needed peace and security for rapid growth.

He said: “We want everybody to take advantage of the olive branch if they love the state. We are not afraid of fight. But, we want everyone to join us to work for the development of the state. The state is uppermost on our mind.  I will do everything possible to promote the peace of the state.”

He said that anyone who loves the state should be interested in the development and progress of the state.

“We thank God that all the political tension is behind us. You cannot govern a state when it is not peaceful. We continue to reiterate the need for peace. We want total peace and reconciliation,” he added.

Wike urged the Rivers State University to take measures to check cultism in the institution, even as he advised the institution’s administration to submit names of cultists to the state government for necessary action.t

On employment of academic and non-academic staff, Wike approved immediate commencement of the process, adding that the state government would implement the de-centralisation of the Rivers State University, with the construction of the Ahoada campus which would start soon.

Justice Iche Ndu, Pro-Chancellor of the institution, said that Wike’s re-election was well deserved as it came from the people.

He decried the violence that greeted the general elections, even as he called on the political class to cooperate with Wike to promote peace in the state.

Justice Ndu implored the governor to invite elders, statesman, church leaders and mediators to take over the peace building process, even as he urged him to approve the employment  of new academic and nonacademic staff for the institution.