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…Amaechi, Others Congratulate Christians
As Christians the world over celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ today, the Rivers State Governor, Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in a special Easter mass, wished all Christians a happy and successful celebration.
In his Easter message to residents of Rivers State, Amaechi said “ Christ died so we can have abundant life. May your life be full of abundance. On behalf of the Government of Rivers State and my wife, Judith, I wish you happy Easter”.
Also, a Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Joseph Kabari called on Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of Easter.
Rev. Father Kabari, who made the call while delivering a sermon during a special Easter mass at the Corpus Christi Cathedral, Port Harcourt, described Easter as a period of sober reflection.
According to him, Easter represents the love and passion demonstrated by Christ to save mankind from eternal condemnation, maintaining that Nigerians should reflect on these exemplary qualities at all times by loving one another irrespective of the differences in language, ethnicity and religion.
The Catholic Priest explained that the victory of the resurrection of Jesus was not for a selected people but for all who turned from their evil ways and pay allegiance to the authority of God.
Reverend Father Kabari urged Christian faithful to always spread the message of Easter in appreciation for the sacrifice Christ offered with his life to redeem man.
The celebration, which kicked-off last Friday with “Good Friday” witnessed several churches holding services and processions with palm leaves and lighting of candles.
Workers under the state government travelled to the countryside to join their families and relations in joyous mood after they received their march salaries in good time, thanks to the state government under Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Our roving reporters who went round the state capital, Port Harcourt and its environs reported that most Christians celebrated the Easter festival with fanfare bearing in mind that the resurrection of Christ has given hope to mankind.
At the St Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt, faithfuls marked the Easter with jubilations to the glory of God, while there were praises and musical renditions.
In his sermon, the Vicar in-charge of the church, Venerable Chris M. Iwuji urged Nigerian leaders to be sincere and honest in the discharge of their legitimate assignments and service to the nation.
Venerable Iwuji also urged the upper and lower Houses to give Acting President Goodluck Jonathan more power to run the affairs of the country.
The man of God, who is also the Archdeacon of the Port Harcourt, Archdeaconry, noted that Nigeria would be delivered from the present political problems if vice president Jonathan is given full support.
Charging Christians to continue to pray for the country’s leaders, he explained that “praying for our leaders is a fulfillment of a biblical injunction.
“If you don’t pray for our president, governors and local government chairmen, they will make mistakes that will affect us, he stressed.
Ven Iwuji averred that the death of Jesus Christ and His resurrection brought hope for mankind and underscores the need to celebrate Easter, saying that it is a festival worth celebrating.
For Rev Ibanabo Briggs of the Blessed Baptist Church, Chindah Road, this year’s Easter celebration has become the best because, he said, in accordance with I Corinthians 16 verse 17, if Christ had not risen, our faith would have been worthless.
“So, we have the joy that Christ rose on Easter morning, hence we will keep celebrating Him that rose from the dead.
Rev Briggs continued that the significance of the Easter celebrations is that “ there is no man who called himself a master who came, died and resurrected.
“History has not given any record except this man called Jesus Christ. He thus advised Nigerians, and the Niger Deltans to borrow a leaf by purging themselves of tribal sentiments.
“Let’s leave over tribal sentiments, lets get on focus and let there be no blood-shed because Christ has already shed the blood, so we don’t have to shed more blood to leave a peaceful life.
For Christ Embassy Churches under Garrison Group, Pastor Oma Olajeffery took her message from Genesis 1 verse 26, which gave man dominion over the earth.
According to her, the Christian is not supposed to struggle for anything because God has given him everything. All he needs to do is live by the doctrines of God as clearly stipulated in the Bible.
Sheddie Okpara
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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