Nigeria At 51: Amaechi, Certain Of Better Days Ahead

As Nigerians celebrate the nation’s 51st independence anniversary, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has assured of better days ahead.

Governor Amaechi gave the assurance yesterday during an inter-denominational thanksgiving service to mark the 51st National Day Anniversary at St. Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, the State Chief Executive prayed for God’s guidance of the nation’s leaders, urging Nigerians to contribute positively to national development and transformation.

In his sermon titled ‘God Likes Challenges’, Arch Bishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey, quoting from 1 Kings 20:1-28, called on Christians to remain resolute in their commitment to God, emphasising that “God loves challenges and will always humiliate those who challenge Him”.

The cleric lamented the parlous state of the nation after 51 years of independence, regretting that inspite of the enormous resources committed to improve social amenities, the nation was the worse off for it, and called for national repentance.

He reiterated that the Church in Nigeria was opposed to the establishment and operation of Islamic banking system in the country, pointing out that the real motives of those propagating it remained suspect, and urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the arrest and prosecution of sponsors of terrorism in the country.

Dignitaries at the service included former Governor of the State, Chief Rufus Ada George, former Deputy Governors, Sir Gabriel Toby, and Eze Gbakagbaka, Eze Oha Evo, Eze Dr Frank Eke, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, represented by his deputy, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, Chief  Judge of the State, Justice Iche Ndu, Commissioners for Lands, Barr. Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi, Works, Chief Victor Giadom, Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon. Charles Okaye and Culture and Tourism, Dr Nathaniel Imegwu as well as Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, and Chairman of the State Environmental Sanitation Authority, Hon. Isobo Jack.

Others are the state Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Aniedi Ikiowak, State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Andy Nweye, Paramount Ruler of Port Harcourt, HRM Eze Sunday Worluchem, Oda Abuan, HRM King Monday Obuge, Nye-Nwe-Eli Isiokpo, HRM Eze Blessing Wagor and service commanders among other dignitaries.

From Left: Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku; Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; President, Nigeria Bar Association, Mr Joseph Daudu, and President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, after a paper on Danger Signals to Nigeria's Democracy at the recently concluded All Nigeria Editors Conference in Benin, last Friday