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You ’re Not Doing Enough, Clerics Tell Buhari

Published

8 years ago

March 19, 2018

Christian leaders across the country, in swift reactions, have flayed President Buhari on the statement, stating that Nigeria had much to tackle in terms of security and that “Buhari’s best is not enough.”
Archbishop of Lagos Province and Bishop of Remo Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Michael Fape, who noted that some security challenges were not devoid of political undertones, called for more efforts on the part of the Federal Government.
“I want to believe much of what is happening has serious political undertones. If we have a head of state and governors, who, at their different levels, are regarded as chief security officers, and security is not paramount to them, then the electorate need to ask why they hold such positions. I was following the political campaigns between 2014 and 2015 before President Buhari came on board and he made so many promises. I believe he has all that it takes to do more if he wants to do more.
“As far as security is concerned, as a civilian, I don’t see any difference between both administrations on security. The killings are still ongoing, such that even after the president visited some of the states affected, hours after, there were attacks. So, for someone to have the moral courage to say that, for me, it is very disheartening. He hasn’t done so much as far as security matters are concerned. Perhaps, because he is a politician, he feels that statement was suitable to the situation. It’s probably an attempt to defend his position. As far as I am concerned, on security, we have not had what we should have as a country. Everywhere is still tense. See the activities of killer herdsmen. If it were in a sane society, I think the IGP would have been summoned and something would have been done immediately the head of state spoke on that. I still believe the security matter is still as terrible as it was in the previous administration if things were like this then.
“On the Dapchi abduction, honestly, I’m a bit reluctant to speak on the matter, but then the scenario on Dapchi and Chibok is similar. The security of this nation is very fragile. We give kudos to some of the governors for the steps they have taken, particularly, the Benue governor. Benue is an APC-controlled state. The same scenario goes for some of the states where these things are happening.
“It is unfortunate that he has seen the reality on the ground that talking is not the same thing as action. There is more to be done as it relates to security in Nigeria. Herdsmen are killing without any sense of shame or condemnation because they have sponsors. There are people who own the cattle. We should find out who these individuals are unless they’re telling us that they are sacred cows and are untouchable. Otherwise, I don’t think there is any justification for the statement that this administration has performed better than that of another administration. Let them go back and work.”
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State chapter, Reverend Akpen Leva, in his reaction, called on President Buhari to stop the senseless killings of people in the country.
The CAN boss, who was reacting to the president’s submission that his administration had tried in curtailing general insecurity, noted that his best was not yet enough when it came to herdsmen’s attacks.
“Possibly, he was talking of crushing Boko Haram, but the issue of herdsmen is spreading. It happens in Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Kogi, even in Ekiti states, and there are killings and maiming at will. Let him tighten the security and stop the senseless killings,” he stated.
Leva, who noted that over the years, more than 500 churches had been burnt by invading herdsmen across Benue and Taraba, described the situation as “unfortunate.”
He called on President Buhari to work more on the security situation in the country, stressing that lives are sacred.
Leva who said that no amount of money could bring back lives that were lost appealed to the president to compensate the churches that were burnt.
He also appealed to public-spirited individuals and organisations to assist the church in this trying time, so as to be able to rebuild churches that were torched.
While enjoining Christians to intensify prayers for the security challenges facing the country, Leva urged them to continue to be law-abiding, and not to take laws into their hands.
“What we need now is more prayer. As Christians, we do not need to arm ourselves. That is why we have been preaching peace, because if Christians rise up and arm themselves, there will be anarchy in the country,” he stated while expressing assurance that the storm would soon be over.

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We’ll Be Intentional In Our Support To Improve NYSC Scheme -Fubara

Published

2 hours ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the scheme in the State.

Fubara gave the assurance last Friday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area in the State, during the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch B Stream II orientation course.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Promise Oguzie, the governor said the State Government would remain intentional in providing the necessary support to improve the NYSC scheme and enhance the experiences of corps members deployed to the state.

He charged the corps members to be role models and quality nation-builders in their service to the good people of Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria at large.

“I charge you to be exemplary, dedicated and committed in all you do. Take full advantage of all the camp programmes and activities to enrich yourselves”, he said.

In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe, urged corps members to see their deployment to Rivers State as a “veritable opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the growth of the State in particular and Nigeria at large.”

He further charged them to serve with all sense of “integrity, discipline, and the fear of God, especially when they will be engaged as INEC ad-hoc staff that will conduct the 2027 general elections.”

A total of 3,584 corps members composed of 1,421 males and 2,163 females were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who was represented by Justice Godspower Aguma.

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Fubara: Nigeria Needs God-fearing Leaders To Make Progress …Applauds Seventh Day Adventist

Published

1 month ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress.

The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.

Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.

He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.

According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.

He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.

“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.

“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.

Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.

“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.

Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.

Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.

He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.

Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.

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Rivers Assembly Approves Fubara’s 2026–2028 MTEF

Published

1 month ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.

The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.

Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.

Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.

He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.

The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.

During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.

The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.

Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.

Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.

The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.

According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.

Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.

The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.

King Onunwor