Bomb Blasts: Christians, Muslims Not At War – Amaechi

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says the Christmas bomb blasts at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla in Niger State is not a declaration of war between Christians and Muslims as both faiths subscribe to the worship of one God.

Governor Amaechi said this yesterday during the Emblem Appeal Launch to mark the 2012 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration at Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt.

“There is no enmity between Christians and Muslims. The security challenges we have witnessed in the last few days are caused by miscreants who do things that if we are not careful could be misinterpreted,” the Governor said, adding that “once there is misinterpretation,” it could lead to agitation, dismissing any insinuations that it has religious undertones.

The State Chief Executive, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, urged opinion leaders, elder statesmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to enlighten their people on the need to eschew violence, warning that “the worst thing that can happen to any nation is a civil disorder or civil war”.

Governor Amaechi, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), urged the citizens to assist the security agencies to tackle criminality in the society, noting that “we need to know that the issue of security is not the absolute prerogative of the security agencies. We all need to watch our neighbours’ backs because the next target could be you.”

He hailed the legionnaires for their gallantry during their days of active military service, acknowledging their sacrifices, which, according to him is the reason Nigeria is still united today.

He said “today is another day of remembrance of our fallen heroes, another day of remembering those who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice their lives to keep this country as an entity so that all of us can continue to remain safe, we will never stop to remember them”.

In his welcome address, the State chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col. Philemon Omunakwe, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Chibuike Amaechi to “direct the relevant authority in charge of military pension to harmonise military pension in consideration of the huge sacrifices of these noblemen.”

He commended the present administration in the State for its developmental strides in education, health, road construction, human capacity building and restoration of the Garden City status of Port Harcourt.

Wife of Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi (middle) with Chiefs of Ndoni community, shortly after her conferment with the title of Ogolikalia of Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni council area of Rivers State, this week.