Amaechi Advocates Liberation Theology

Last week started in a worship mood as Governor
Chibuike Amaechi attended the induction of resident ministers at the Christ Church, Port Harcourt. The induction was conducted by the Prelate and Moderator of the General   Assembly of the Presbyterian Church Nigeria, Rev (Prof) Emule Mba Uka.
Shortly after the sermon, Governor Amaechi was invited to address the church during which he advocated what he called” Liberation Theology”. The Rivers State governor  stressed that it was high time the church rose to the challenge of governance by seeking accountability from those governing the country.
He said,” until we get up and ask ourself the question what qualifies this man to steal our money … So currently, the church must rise to ask these questions”.
I think your grace, the preachers should start to preach the theology that will liberate us.”
Amaechi was speaking against the backdrop of revelations by the suspended Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over financial diversion in the nation’s coffers. He however, used the church service to announce plans by the state government to build a model primary school in the church premises.
Governor Amaechi played host to United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, Marx Simmonds. While welcoming him to the state, the Rivers State Chief Executive urged the UK diplomat to support in the fight against oil theft. This, he believed, has become important, since the federal government has failed to tackle the menace head on.
On the other hand, Governor Amaechi observed that “our problem is not oil theft but financial diversion as revealed by CBN governor,” stressing that “48.8 billion dollars have been spent without appropriation”.
Worried over the decline of revenue allocation to states, Amaechi warned that if the situation persisted, many state would find it difficult to pay salaries of civil servants.
The governor took time off his busy schedules to inspect ongoing projects on Wednesday. He visited the Peter Odili, Woji/Akpajo link road and the new hospital at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu Port Harcourt.
On Thursday, the governor travelled to Ibadan to attend the National Progressives Governance Forum. The forum was billed to brainstorm and evolve new bluepint for the emerging progressives, as a way to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Governor Amaechi who is also chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum (NGF)   issued a press statement on Friday condemning the terrorist attack and killing of over 40 students of Federal Government College in Yobe. The NGF, also called on the Federal Government to beef security in the nation.
The Rivers State governor returned to the state on Saturday morning to attend the 70th birthday ceremony of chairman of the State Economic Advisory Committee, Prof Nimi Dimkpa Briggs at University of Port Harcourt.
Amaechi while eulogizing the professor of medicine, said he contributed immensely in stabilizing the state.
“When we came in, there was division in the state. It was PDP, PDP was in charge, there was no opposition party then. There were those who supported me, those who were supporting Austin Opara, those who supported Celestine Omehia and those who were supporting our former boss, Dr Peter Odili, and I knew that if we needed to conduct a credible election, we needed to put somebody who is credible”.
The governor had appointed Prof Briggs to head the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in 2008. The university don conducted the elections in April that was adjudged to be one of the best in recent times.
For his contributions, the governor said the state government would immortalize his name and thanked him for his support.