Wike Speaks After Taking COVID-19 Vaccine

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has confirmed taking the COVID-19 vaccination dispelling insinuations that he refused to take the jab.

The governor in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, spoke on Saturday when the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 delegation led by the National Incident Manager, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammad paid him a courtesy at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

He said: “Some people said that I did not take my vaccine. I did, but am not into the public show. Taking a vaccine is not undertaking any project for anybody to see that you have taken the vaccine.

“It has turned to politics. Assuming what am taking is not the vaccine? Yes, I can pretend and then they will put it on the news that I have taken the vaccine.

“Nigerians like to play politics with everything. They will call the press, Governor this has taken, Governor that has taken. But let them not tell you that I have not taken. I did my own in the Government House Clinic quietly. So I don’t need to begin to announce it to the world.”

Wike asked the federal government to dissolve the tribunal set up to prosecute violators of COVID-19 protocol ahead of the resumption of international flights at the Port Harcourt Airport.

Meanwhile, Governor Wike has described Grammy award-winning Afrobeat artist, Burna Boy, whose real name is, Damini Ogulu, as the pride of the state.

Wike spoke when Burna Boy, his parents and management team paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Saturday.

The governor said the state was proud of Burna Boy for the rare distinction of becoming a winner of the prestigious Grammy award.

He said: “There is no Rivers person that will say he or she is not happy with the kind of pride you’ve brought us. I am very happy and I can tell you, whatever you think we can do to promote you, we will continue to do it.”

Wike congratulated Burna Boy for the honour he did to the people of the state all over the world explaining that when news broke that Burna Boy was the winner in the Best Global Music Album category with his Twice As Tall album, the entire state was elated.

Earlier, Burna Boy said he was deeply grateful and incredibly humbled by the reception and honour to be conferred on him by the Government of Rivers State.

He said: “I really appreciate being here. This is probably the biggest honour that will be bestowed on me since I was born. It is one thing to win the Grammy and to be applauded everywhere else in the world and another thing to be loved in your own home and that to me is worth more than anything I can get. So I appreciate you my Governor for taking your time out to do this.”