Amaechi To Christians: Pray For Governors …Canvasses More Commitment In Public Service

Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has enjoined Christians to seek the face of God and pray for political office holders to deliver dividends of democracy to the people who voted them to power.

Declaring open the Global Mega Prayer Quake 2013 in Port Harcourt, Tuesday, Governor Amaechi said, there was no need for men of God to predict danger for political office holders voted into office by the people, and saddled with the responsibility to discharge good governance and accountable stewardship.

“Pray that God should do something new in our lives and also keep Governors alive to lead the people, because I have read in the papers where men of God prophesied that two Governors will die this year, but I tell you, if Nigerians know that Governors are fighting for the people to improve their welfare, nobody will pray that Governors should die, so we need your prayers for Governors to live, so that God will reward you through his blessings” Amaechi said.

Governor Amaechi also urged Christians and men of God to join hands with leaders of the current political dispensation to eradicate corruption, which he said, had eaten deep into the fabrics of the Nigerian society.

“We must all join hands to eradicate corruption, why should pastors accept corrupt political office holders into the church of God, without even asking where the public servant amassed such wealth, which would have been used to develop the well being of the people?” Amaechi queried.

“We should know that the inability of Government to procure medical equipments for the sick would lead to high death rate, there are also people who die due to pipe borne water diseases, but God is watching us, we shall give account of our stewardship to the people”, he said.

Speaking further, Governor Amaechi advised Pastors and men of God to always reject gifts from corrupt political office holders and charged them to give exhortation that would enable political office holders give effective and efficient service delivery to the people.

“If Pastors refuse to accept gifts from corrupt political office holders and also refuse to give front seats in their churches, that is the time we will experience service delivery to the people, and God will hear your prayers as men of God”, Amaechi said.

While recounting his experience before he became Governor of Rivers State in 2007, Amaechi said, he was the only Governor that was ushered into office without election, but by the Supreme Court judgement of October 25th, 2007, which he described as the handiwork of God.

“I believe God, because I have knelt down and prayed to God and observed results, from February to October, 2007, I entered into fasting, and even obtained favour through financial break through to sponsor my case in court because I had no money to give to my lawyers, but somebody paid N200 million into my account, and I was able to pay my lawyers, so the miracle is that, I am the only Governor that came to power without election in 2007, God used me to tell the world that he is God”, Amaechi said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has urged renewed commitment and dedication to service by civil and public servants in the state.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi said this yesterday in Port Harcourt, during the 2013 New Year Thanksgiving/Dedication service organised by the Rivers State Civil Service.

The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said that the survival of the administration’s effort in infrastructural development depended on the service.

“The truth of the matter is that politicians do come and go, but those who sustain anything in government are the bureaucrats. “So if what the government has done will survive after we have gone, it would depend on the civil service.

If the bureaucracy doesn’t work, the government crumbles,” he said.

The commissioner who also represented the Deputy Governor at the occasion, said that the theme of the service which is “Work as Unto the Lord,” reminds one of the biblical saying, vis ‘Slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving in the Lord, is a reminder to servants to ensure that advice given can be defended anywhere and at anytime.”

He thanked them for keying into the vision of the government which is complete reliance on God.

Also speaking, the Head of Service, Barrister Samuel T. LongJohn, said that the service which started three years ago was a way of thanking God for His support in the past year and guidance for the new year as well as for protection of all civil servants.

Barrister LongJohn said that it was necessary to have a joint session with God to usher in the New Year.

The Head of Service enjoined civil servants to work with their hearts as only God can reward all, and noted that only dedication to work can help the government to achieve its goals.

The guest preacher who is also the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rivers State, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, described Nigeria as one of the blessed nations on earth.

Apostle Aggrey however regretted that many people do not thank God for what he is doing for them.

The state CAN president also urged for prayers for the nation and its leaders.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion who is also the chairman of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Mr Ngo Martyns-Yellowe, thanked God for the privilege to be alive and thanked God for providing the competency and capability to render service.

Former Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State (right) with his lawyers, Mr Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN) (left) and Mr Akin Osibajo, during his trial over allegations of illegal diversion and conversion of public property to personal use at an Abeokuta High Court III, Isabo, on Tuesday.