Focus
Rivers SEEFOR: The Journey So Far
The need for youth employment and access to socio-economic services formed the bases for the formation of the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project, to consolidate the gains from the amnesty programme of the Federal Government and ensure that youths do not fall back to social vices.
The Project which is financed with credit from the World Bank, grant from European Union and counterpart fund from the State Government, commenced implementation on July 31, 2013. The objective is to enhance opportunities for employment and access to socio-economic services whilst improving the Public Financial Management Systems in the four Niger Delta participating States of Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers.
SEEFOR has two main components: Component A: Youth employment and access to socio-economic services and Component B: Public Financial Management (PFM) Reforms.
Since implementation commenced in Rivers State, the project has traversed the nooks and crannies of the state and transformed lives of several youths, women and communities at large.
Reviewing the activities of the multifaceted project across its sub-components: Public Works, Technical, Vocational and Agricultural Training (TVAT), Community Driven Development-Economic and Community Driven Development-Social as well as its Public Financial Management Component, beneficiaries bared their minds on the activities of the Project.
Under the Public Works Sub-Component, which entails executing small road maintenance and waste management projects, the State Project Coordinator, Mr Kelcious Amos said it has surpassed its target of executing 224 projects and engaging 10,845 beneficiaries to executing 497 projects and engaging 21,770 beneficiaries.
Some beneficiaries and resident of communities visited expressed their gratitude: At Okwutake Community in Degema LGA where Utie-Iwula Road was maintained; a resident, Mrs Elizabeth Brown said “the road was very bad that people could not even use it during rainy season, people could not go through the road to the Waterside, but after SEEFOR’s intervention, the road is now very assessable.”
At Apostolic Church Road, in Eleme one of the beneficiaries, Miss Christy Ogbaji said the project has given her engineering knowledge that she can apply anywhere.
At Lawson’s Compound/Health Centre Road where a mini bridge was constructed to replace a worn-out wooden bridge that was there, the community members thanked the project for the bridge that has eased transportation of sick people and pregnant women in and out of the Health Centre. They also said the bridge is connecting them to nearby communities and called for more projects in the community.
Speaking on the TVAT sub-component, the State Project Coordinator said the project had a target of training 5,436 youths but 6,134 youths have benefited from this sub-component and some have received starter packs. He explained further that SEEFOR has intervened in four technical schools that include Government Technical College (GTC) Ahoada, Ele-Ogu, Port Harcourt and Tombia. Others are Government Craft Development Centre, Port Harcourt, School-to Land Authority, Rumudomaya, Women Development Centre Taabaa, Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori and Capt. Elechi Amadi Polytechnics, Rumuola.
He explained further that under Ken Saro-Wiwa and Elechi Amadi Polytechnics youths were trained in the following short-term skills; air-conditioning and refrigeration maintenance, carpentry/wood work, computer and phone repair/maintenance, electrical installation, block laying, concreting and iron mongery, automobile technology, electronics installation/maintenance, plumbing/tiling, and welding and fabrication.
SEEFOR in collaborated with some non-state actors also trained youths in Fashion Designing, welding and fabrication, Carpentry/wood work, livestock farming, catering and hotel management.
In addition to the above, the project engaged volunteer teachers to augment the effort of the State government in technical schools.
The Community Driven Development (CDD) sub-component has provided both economic and social succour to rural dwellers. A review of the Community Driven Development-Social (CDD-S) that was designed to provide access to social infrastructure in rural communities based on needs assessment and project selection, reveal that the project has intervened in 448 communities and implemented 94 micro projects across 17 LGAs
Assessing the impact of the project in communities showed a visibly elated people who applauded SEEFOR for infrastructural development through micro project provided for them.
At Ewika in Eleme where a Civic Centre and Borehole was constructed, the traditional ruler, Chief Jacob Mpka said the project was the first of its kind in the history of the Community. He explained that since the inception of the community they have being without potable water, that the construction of borehole by SEEFOR Project was a big relief to the entire Egbere Ewika Community and its environs. The Chief further said the Civic Centre is now a source of social gathering for the people.
Similarly, in Igwuruta where 240 km walk way was constructed; Hon Ken Amaewhule who spoke on behalf of the community thanked SEEFOR for the road, that has boosted both their individual and commercial activities.
At Kalaibiama Community in Bonny LGA, members of the community thanked the project for the electrification of the community which had hitherto being in darkness.
The CDD-E sub-component is created to provide grant for the implementation of agricultural micro project in rural communities thereby increasing their income base. SEEFOR Project is collaborating with FADAMA III to implement this sub-component. So far, 712 cooperatives have benefitted from this sub-component across 49 communities.
Members of some communities who spoke on behalf of their communities were unanimous in their accolade for the project.
At Somiari-Ama, Tere-Ama Community in Port Harcourt LGA where a poultry and lives stock cluster farm was implemented as well as public convenience;
Mrs Dorathy Somiari thanked the project for given the community opportunity to raise their income base as some youths in the community where employed to work on the farm in addition to the proceeds from the farm which is sold periodically. A representative of the community Mr Emmanuel Somiari said by siting the public convenience there, several causalities have been averted, noting that before SEEFOR’s intervention, aged people usually fall down while trying to climb the wooden bridge to toilet.
At Umuagwu in Omuma LGA where market stalls, public convenience and water micro projects were sited, members of the community thanked SEEFOR/FADAMA, adding that it has improved their businesses, social and individual lives as people now have markets stalls to sell their goods without fear of rain and sun, while the search for portable water has been eliminated.
Speaking on behalf of Ido SEEFOR/FADAMA Community Association in Asari-Toru, Mr Sagbe Endure thanked the project for the Cluster farm sited in the community and the borehole water project that has replaced the well water that was the only source of drinking water in the community.
The State Project Coordinator, speaking on Component B of the project said; the Public Financial Management Component is designed to deepen the on-going financial management reform effort of the State Government to ensure judicious utilization of public fund. It is also to improve and modernise the PFM systems, practices, processes and institutions with the aim of improving efficiency and effectiveness in managing public resources to achieve value for money.
Enumerating on the achievements of the component, Mr Amos listed the following:
• Draft Bills for the PFM Legislation and Audit has been passed by the RSHoA and await executive assent.
• Fiscal strategy paper and budget manual developed
• Socio-Economic survey of the State completed
• 10 year State Development Plan (2017 – 2027) completed
• Procured ICT Equipment to the Min. of Budget & Economic Planning
• IPSAS based Chart of Account developed
• Production of IPSAS based Annual budget since 2015
• Procedure Manual for financial reporting developed
• IPSAS cash based financial Report produced since 2017
• Capacity building within and outside the country across all sub-component of the PFM Reform
• SIFMIS infrastructure all in place
• Training of 300 SIFMIS End-Users in basic ICT skills completed
• Standard bidding document developed for BoPP
• Public Asset register developed for BoPP
• Development of document management system completed
• Establishment of procurement Data Base for BoPP completed
• Rivers State BoPP website upgrade completed
Giving an over view of the assessment of the performance of SEEFOR Project in the State, the National Project Coordinator, Dr Greg Onu said “Rivers SEEFOR has surpassed its targets in most indicators, some by 200%, some by 250%”. He applauded Rivers Project Team for the success recorded and ensuring that the project objective is achieved.
The National Project Coordination Team was in the State on a Media Tour of some project sites to access the success of the project in preparation for the project closure in September 2020.
Focus
Fubara : That Akpabio’s Needless Outburst
Sir Siminalayi Fubara is the current Governor of Rivers State. Godswill Akpabio is the current President of the ninth Senate. The latter was two-time Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs. The former was the Accountant-General of Rivers State under then Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, with whom he is now estrangedz.
Both Amaopusenibo Siminalayi (Sim) Joseph Black-Fubara and Godswill Obot Akpabio met on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the funeral ceremony of late Access Bank chief, Herbert Wigwe, who died alongside his wife, son, and a friend in a helicopter crash in the United States.
Fubara, being the governor of the late Wigwe’s State, was the chief host of the retinue of mourners at the obsequies of the Wigwes, while Akpabio who also hails from the South South geopolitical zone as the deceased and the governor, represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
You would expect that protocols allowed the governor to dictate the pace of the ceremony even if the President of Nigeria or his representative was there.
I dare to say that Akpabio misrepresented the President of the federation by what he said thereafter.
Ask me how.
A grieving Fubara took to the stage to explain the vanity of life. He did it so eloquently and his speech reminded those present that this life is not worth the struggle. He wondered why we had to struggle to kill, maim, get political power, become rich only to die the way the Wigwes died.
“This one has to do with our political class. What is all this struggle about? You want to kill…, you want to bury. What is it all about?” he asked.
His speech was moving, even though it sounded too harsh on the political class to which he belonged. It moved many to tears. Those who thought they had shed enough tears since the deaths occurred cried a little bit more considering the circumstances and its connection with the governor’s speech.
But not for Akpabio. Everything to him is politics. There are no bounds when it comes to playing it. It does not matter whether the occasion is a burial ceremony or a church service. He must seize every opportunity to play to the gallery, and that was exactly what he did at Isiopko last Saturday.
“If there’s nothing in it, don’t struggle,” he fired back at the governor. No respect for protocols. No regards to the nonagenarian father of Herbert.
He took the microphone and told Fubara to stop shedding crocodile tears. He told the state chief mourner that if he felt the struggle was not worth it, he should not get involved in it.
He did not understand the import of the governor’s speech. He could not just as he did not understand that he goofed when he announced in the hallowed chambers of the Senate that money had been transferred to the accounts of the Senators to enable them to celebrate Christmas. When his attention was drawn to the gaffe, he tried to correct himself in the most annoying manner possible. He gleefully announced that it was not money that was sent but prayers.
Watching him that day, I felt like a child in a kindergarten. I wondered if he understood the harm his open microphone gaffe did to struggling Nigerians who were irked that while they were thinking about where their next meal will come from, their leaders were sharing money like children sharing cabin biscuits at a children’s end of year party.
He is known to have spoken on many occasions in a manner that is beneath the office he has occupied and the current one he occupies.
Nigerians may have gotten used to politicians’ loose talk that nobody bothers anymore. Many public officers speak in like manner when discussing serious issues ailing the nation.
But what surprised zzmany was that at Akpabio’s level and the position he occupies, he ought to know that certain things are better left unsaid. Even if Fubara did not sound tough like his predecessor/godfather, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, the fact that the occasion was a funeral ceremony would have taught him to exercise restraint and leave that petulant response for another time, maybe when they meet to settle the roforofo fight between Fubara and Wike.
You see, my friends, in civilised climes, the likes of Akpabio should be in one federal correctional centre, awaiting trial over corrupt allegations levelled against him while serving as governor.
Unfortunately, ours is not a sane clime or a civilised one. Therefore, no court of law has, will ever commit such characters to jail terms for what they did while holding public trust.
It is for this and other reasons that the likes of Akpabio will never learn that words have meaning and that, like the Yoruba will say, ‘it is not every cloth that is spread outside.’
Akpabio displayed a worrying behaviour in his response to the speech by the governor, and all who have his ears should whispper to him that the future generation looks up to leaders like him to show them the way. He should be told that, like Fubara said, this life is fleeting and is not worth the fights and struggles.
Here today. Gone tomorrow.
The Wigwes were here and they are now gone forever.
So shall Akpabio and all those who are privileged to hold publuc offices and who see politics as ‘door or die affair,’ and who have no qualms how it is played.
Words have meaning. Let those who use them weigh their public utterances. History does not forget.
Chukwuelobe is a public affairs analyst and former media aide to former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili.
By:
Fred Chukwuelobe
Focus
The Wigwes: Didactics For The Living
On Saturday, March 9, 2024 the remains of Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe were committed to mother-earth in his home town, Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba and son, Chizi died in a helicopter crash near Nipton-California in United States on February 9, 2024.
The week-long beehive of funeral activities began on March 4, 2024 at Eko Hotel in Lagos with presentation of “Professional Legacy of Wigwe”. It was followed by a Night of Tribute at Eko Hotel on March 5; a combined service of songs at Resurrection Parish, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lekki Lagos on March 7. Friday, March 8 was a Christian Wake at Umueke, Isiokpo which was attended by some dignitaries, including the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, Peter Obi. The body had earlier arrived at the Palace of the king of Isiokpo Clan and was received with 21 canon shots in each of the ten villages that make up Isiokpo Kingdom.
The demise of the Wigwes at a time least expected is a constant reminder of the brevity of life and that everyone is a sojourner or a pilgrim.
It is certainly not saying a new thing that life is transient and at its very best, life is as brief and evaporative as the vapour. No wonder, the Bible King Solomon said unequivocally, “I made me great works, I builded me houses, I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits. I made me pools of water to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees. I got me servants and maidens, also I had great possession…So I was great and increased more than all that were before me…And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them. I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced in all my labour. Then I looked at all the works my hand hath wrought, and the labour that I had labored to do, and behold all was vanity and vexation of Spirit, and there was no profit under the sun…”(Ecclesiastes 2:4-10).
Solomon’s wise saying is timeless, finds expressions daily as people fail to see life as vanity, and a “passing through” according to Jim Reeves (of blessed memory).
Speaking at the well attended funeral service at Lion of Judah Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Isiokpo, on Saturday March 9, 2024, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaye Fubara echoed the wise saying of the King Solomon, warning politicians of the emptiness of the inordinate quest for power and promised to sustain the legacy of Wigwe University.
According to a statement signed by Boniface Onyedi, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara “challenged the political class to reflect on the essence of the struggle for power when it is not actually deployed in impacting society positively”.
Sir Fubara pointed to the three corpses of persons who used their time, within the short period they lived to make enormous and impactful contributions to humanity.
“Here lies our brother, his wife and son, everyone has come to celebrate them. It means even in the short period that they lived, they lived impactful lives. They made great contributions to humanity.
“Here is a man, though not a politician, he made his money through our investments. He had the world in his palm financially. He even controlled the political class.
“This takes me to my question to the political class. What is all this struggle all about? You want to kill and bury, to what end?
“But today, with all the power financially, he couldn’t control life. Is it not enough for us to ask ourselves, why are we struggling?
“Why are we not making enough impact in the life of our people. Please, let the political class reflect on this”
Governor Fubara said in immortalising the deceased, the state government will work with Herbert Wigwe Foundation to ensure that the Wigwe University is sustained in accordance with the dreams of Herbert Wigwe.
In his address, Nigeria Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who represented the federal government at the event, said Nigerians, the political class, and indeed Africa leaders will continue to mourn the passing of an iconic personality as Herbert Wigwe.
In his sermon, Vice Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Rivers State, Pastor Adesoji Oni said God by the death of Herbert Wigwe reminded everyone to be prepared for eternity because it will come when they least expected it.
Several dignitaries attended the nights of tributes in Lagos and funeral at Isiokpo his home town. They included the Senate President,Godswill Akpabio, Governors of Akwa Ibom state, Governor Umo Eno, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa, Governor Alex Otti of Abia, Former Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi..
Earlier at the Night of Tributes in Lagos on Wednesday March 6, the 14th Emir of Kano State and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mohammed Sanusi recounted in tears how the late Herbert Wigwe helped him after he had been dethroned and sent out of the State.
According to Sanusi, “When I had problems in Kano, I called him (Wigwe) about six months before I was to leave Kano and I said to him, ‘Herbert I know you will give all your best to solve all these problems but I am convinced that this is what is going to happen. And he said to me, ‘Your Highness, don’t worry, whatever happens don’t worry we are here for you.
“On that day I heard on the radio that I have been dethroned, the night before it happened, I called and said I wanted to come to Lagos. The announcement was made by 9 am and by noon; Herbert had a plane at the tarmac in Kano ready. I put my family on that plane, no message, no phone call, l put them on that plane. Herbert received them, put them in an hotel and later got them accommodation for months…”, Emir Sanusi who broke down in tears thrice narrated.
Recall that Dr. Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe was born at Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, to Pastor Shyngle and Pastor (Mrs) Stella Wigwe on August 15, 1966. The nation was in the midst of severe political crisis which eventually led to the outbreak of the civil war the following year. Herbert’s father had enlisted as a captain in the Nigerian Army in 1963 and was based Kaduna; but he relocated to Lagos just before the military coup of January 15, 1966. Herbert was their third child, coming after Osita and Chilo; and was followed by Emeka, Peggy and Stella. During the civil war, his family settled in various South Eastern cities, including Calabar. It was at this time that Herbert learnt the Efik language which he spoke fluently, in addition to his native Ikwerre.
After the war, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe commenced his famed career as a broadcast professional in the state and federal service, working in Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Benin, and rising to become the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority. Herbert’s mother, who studied nursing in the United Kingdom, managed the growing family with clinical efficiency.
Herbert therefore grew up in a typical post-independence civil service household, imbibing traditional values of integrity, meritocracy, respect and accountability which typified the character of Nigeria’s public servants in the 1960s. Herbert commenced his formal education at Port Harcourt Primary School; he was admitted into Federal Government College, Sokoto in 1977, but after his first form, he transferred to Federal Government College, Warri, where he completed his secondary education in 1982. His detribalized, patriotic worldview was formed very early in life. Herbert related with and treated everybody with kindness and respect irrespective of class, social status, ethnicity and religion. He made friends from across the country and the world and was always embraced, at work and home, by Nigerians from different parts of the country.
As a young man, Herbert was also mentored by his father’s younger brother, Chief Henry Ikechi Wigwe, a very successful entrepreneur. Herbert continuously sought the approval of his father, a strict disciplinarian who prioritized education and ensured that his children went to the best schools an honest public servant could afford. Herbert’s love for mathematics and his skills in numeracy were apparent even at an early age, prompting Emeka, his younger brother, to nickname him ACG, short for ‘Accountant-General’, predicting that Herbert would one day become Nigeria’s Accountant-General.
In 1983, Herbert was admitted into the University of Nigeria to study accountancy. He graduated with a Second-Class Upper division degree in 1987, maintaining his strong academic track record. But his outstanding academic capabilities did not come at the expense of other aspects of his life. His love for music, particularly Herbie Hancock and his zest for the finer things were apparent to those who knew him.
Igbiki Benibo
Focus
Opobo Agog For Governor Fubara
Everyone has a moment in history which belongs particularly to him. He carries the stamp of that passing moment for ever, and the appeal of that moment shapes his generational impact.
Beyond the return of an illustrious and exceptional son to his root, Opobo Town in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, home of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday, January 28th, 2024 witnessed a momentous and historic moment as it played host to throngs of visitors and guests from far and near.
The mission was to felicitate the Rivers State Governor, Sir Fubara in the double celebration of his 49th birthday and his victory at the Supreme Court as the duly elected Governor of the State.
Before this auspicious occasion and outright vindication of Governor Fubara in the contentious legal tussle, the State had been caught up in a web of impending political explosion that kept everyone in suspense.
Then came the Supreme Court verdict which cleared the legal barriers and affirmed Sir Fubara as the man with legitimate clout to navigate the course of governance in the oil rich State that bears the enviable sobriquet; “Treasure Base of the Nation”.
There was relief in the air, as the teeming Rivers population who have come to trust their brand new, genial, affable, benevolent and resourceful Governor hailed the verdict in unison.
As a man who has premised his elevations and breakthroughs in life on providence and divine endorsement, Governor Fubara chose to celebrate his political victory and 49th birthday in a grand thanksgiving to God who made everything possible.
But Rivers people stepped in and in full solidarity to honour their new leader, a man in whom they are pleased. Thus, Governor Fubara was amazed and astonished as he beheld the warmth, acceptance and show of love by his family, kinsmen, supporters and well wishers who thronged in their numbers to felicitate him in his double celebration.
The tumultuous reception by Governor Fubara’s kith and kin and the larger Rivers family at Opobo Town, signalled a new dawn in the annals of Rivers political history. There was nothing unusual about the gathering in terms of regular political estimation but there was everything different about the mood of the people and their declarations which were explicit in demands and hope of redemption into a new era of economic prosperity under Governor Fubara.
The event was held at the St Paul’s Anglican Church, Opobo Town in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area, and fully attended by all strata of the society; the business community, the religious community, the political class, the academia, the traditional institution, and the masses, the popular base very much at home with, and grateful to the Rivers State Governor for giving them a sense of belonging in his governance.
There were also those who braced up against skewed, vested political control and surveillance to identify with the people’s Governor. It was an interesting scenario laden with intrigues, fanfare and great expectations.
The festivities that graced the event were akin to a carnival as the people of ancient Opobo Kingdom rolled out their drums to honour their son. Chiefs, elders, women, youths and children revelled in unbridled excitement as they celebrated the Governor in sonorous and enthralling renditions.
During the intensive thanksgiving service at the St Paul’s Anglican Church, Opobo Town, the Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese, the Most Rev, Bishop Emmanuel Oko Jaja had taken time to explain the importance of leadership and execution of leadership responsibilities.
In delivering his homily, the Bishop harped on the importance of forgiveness and thanksgiving as a key leadership function.
According to the revered cleric, “thanking God is a sign of gratitude, and we are under obligation to thank God as God honours faith and dependability on him life’s circumstances”.
He said now that the Supreme Court has declared him the authentic helmsman in Rivers State, Governor Fubara should, “forgive those who have hurt you for God to continue to fight for you and crown you with more victories”, while the aggrieved should, “sheathe their swords, respect the office of the Governor and pursue peace to promote development in the State.
The Bishop further urged the Governor to expand development to all sectors of the Rivers economy and prioritise youth and women empowerment to boost enterprise development in the state.
In his admonition, the Bishop of Ikwere Diocese of the church, Most Rev Bishop Blessing Enyinda urged the Governor not to be distracted by the onslaught of his opponents but should remain focused to give Rivers State the best to be the envy of all States. He congratulated the Governor and urged him to hold on to God and pursue peace.
Special prayers were offered forthe peace of Rivers State and for the Governor to have clear vision and wisdom to lead the State.
Addressing the people shortly after reading the only lesson in service taken from Luke 17, 11 to 19, Governor Fubara expressed deep appreciation to God and Rivers people for their contributions and support which had propped him up in the evolving political tension in the State, before, during and after his election as Governor.
The Rivers State Governor said he drew his strength and encouragement from God and people’s huge support base to tread on in the task of governance, stating that the development on the State depended on total peace..
The Governor who dedicated his Supreme Court victory to the endearing peace process in the State urged those persecuted for standing for the truth to count it as a blessing and sacrifice for the development of the State.
He commended the security agencies for maintaining peace in the State, noting that Rivers State remains peaceful despite the heightened political tensions in the State.
While thanking the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly support during his travail, Governor Fubara noted that the battle was yet over as there were still ploys to create disharmony in the State.
But Governor Fubara perceives such trappings as raw materials for the glorious exploits of his administration which is poised to bequeath an endearing legacy of peace and development in Rivers State.
He called on religious leaders and Rivers people to continue to pray for the peace of the state.
“We have a lot of distractions but I strongly believe that while we navigate the path of peace, prayer is also needed for us to pass over this phase. Continue to put us in your prayers, there’s nothing God can’t do”
“A lot of people who started this journey with us ought to have been here with us but unfortunately they are not here. God knows why. We can’t question the Almighty.
“But one thing we can’t take away is that God does not make any mistake. Whatever happens, and when it happens, it is for a purpose.
“I am happy to return this glory to God Almighty, to say thank you to God, and ask for extra energy to continue with the task of governance. But no battle can be bigger than God.”
While celebrating the surmounting of a critical stage his journey to the exercise of his electoral mandate, Governor Fubara believes that the grave challenges, trials and ominous signs of chaos that hung over the State were enough lessons to be learnt to have a collective rethink on the positive way forward for the development of the state.
He emphasised that the hope of the future was tied to the collective responsibilities of the people to embrace peace and keep faith with the Rivers dream above individual interest.
In his characteristic conviviality and deep sense of accommodation, Governor extended the olive branch across political divides to jointly build the State, stressing rectitude as a political culture of strengthening the prospects of development in the State.
Most importantly, the Governor expressed concern over the need for his team to bequeath an endearing legacy of prestige, excellence and positive impact on both the office of the governor and the development of the State at large.
In outright detestation, Governor Fubara dissociated his administration from predatory and vindictive politics, noting that his administration will not yield to the trappings of anarchy but remain open to reconciliation and accommodation of constructive criticisms and divergence in views to place Rivers State on its deserving pedestal among the comity of Nigerian States.
A cursory appraisal of Governor Fubara’s political antics shows that as an active catalytic administrator, he approaches political governance from a practical mindset inclined towards achieving the goals of development and devoid of an abrasive and infringing order, a philosophy mistaken to be weakness by his traducers, and detractors.
In his welcome address, the Intercontinental Youth Pastor of RCCG, Pastor Belemina Obunge acknowledged the immense support RCCG had received from the state government towards the hosting of the rally, which he noted has prophetically coincided with the birthday of Governor Fubara.
Earlier on the eventful Sunday at the Port Harcourt Holy Ghost Rally organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium Governor Fubara had declared that the foundation of his administration was anchored on God who has given him unfettered promotion and breakthrough in the face of glaring challenges.
Governor Fubara described the theme of this year’s edition of the Port Harcourt Holy Ghost Rally, “Promoted for a Purpose”, which coincided with is birthday and Supreme Court Victory, as a personal gift from the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
“Let me take that theme to be a personal gift from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, because the theme isn’t different from my story, I was promoted by God, first through my party, and leaders of my party, promotion comes from God alone.”
“I want to say a big thank you to the Redeemed Christian family for your support before, during and after our elections, your prayers have kept us going. Our government will continue to support this programme in this State, continue to pray for us so that the purpose of governance will be achieved in the State.”
The Governor expressed special gratitude to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye for his love for Rivers State as demonstrated by the choice of Port Harcourt for the Special Holy Ghost Rally and blessings at the beginning of every year.
The Intercontinental Youth Pastor of RCCG, Pastor Belemina Obunge who officiated the Port Harcourt Holy Ghost Rally thanked the Governor for his commitment and support towards the success of the rally.
Governor Fubara’s deep sense of humility, civility, pragmatism and magnetic aura has continued to attract the support of Rivers people who see in him the sincerity of purpose to promote people-oriented policies and sustainable development in the State. In an enigmatic and metaphorical coinage, Governor Fubara sees himself as a man of destiny that God uses even his enemies to bless.
Taneh Beemene
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