Nigeria’ll Exit Recession Stronger, Banigo Assures

The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has expressed the hope that Nigeria would come out of recession stronger and vibrant despite the hard times presently facing the Nation.

Banigo stated this at the Rivers State Teens Prayer/Worship Meeting organized by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 5, Headquarters Parish, Eastern Bye-pass, Port Harcourt.

The deputy governor, who was represented at the occasion by her Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Barr Gilbert Nria, said although teenagers appear to be the worst victims of the current economic challenges in the country as it affects their education and job placement, they should not despair, stressing that it was not the will of God for them.

Describing the theme of the event, “One God, One Voice, One Country”, as most appropriate, coming at a time when the nation was undergoing economic recession, Banigo urged the teenagers to speak with one voice, worship and pray God for His speedy intervention in the affairs of the nation.

She expressed gratitude to the church for being alive to its responsibility by organizing the teenage programme aimed at nurturing them for the enormous tasks ahead, appealing to the teenagers and organizers of the event not to see it as another congregation for social activities but rather a date with God to intercede in the nation’s economic crisis.

“I am elated that this event is being organized at this time when our country is undergoing economic challenges. This convinces me that the church is alive to its responsibility with a view to nurturing the teenagers who are the leaders of tomorrow,” the deputy governor said.

Banigo stated that the reintroduction of boarding system in some public schools in the state was a deliberate attempt by the government to re-enact good morals and quality education into students as was the case in the past.

The deputy governor called on teenagers to be committed to the work of God and worship Him wholeheartedly, shun cultism and other societal vices to enable them assume their positions as future leaders, urging teenagers to continue to support the youth-friendly government of Chief Nyesom Wike in the state.

She used the occasion to condemn the recent brutalization, robbing and raping of some female youth corps members at Asarama in Andoni Local Government Area, noting that steps were being taken to forestall a reoccurrence of such incident in any part of the state as well as bring perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice.

Earlier in his address, the Teens Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Region 5, Headquarter Parish, Obinna Ebogidi, had said the event was organized to engage teenagers to speak with one voice and pray to God to intercede in the security and economic challenges of the nation.

Ebogidi appealed to the state government to encourage talented teenagers and create the necessary platform for them to showcase their God-given talents as a conscious effort to divert their attention from acts inimical to the society.