As part of his Easter message, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani has underscored the importance of the church in promoting good health among the people.
Addressing members of St John’s Anglican  Church, Ataba Parish, Andoni Archdeaconry on Easter Sunday, he said the church could help propagate good health through messages to the people.
He said the high prevalence of tuberculosis and other health challenges could be curbed through sermons and educating of church members.
Ibani stated that early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis is key, as he underscored the importance of a healthy population to the economic development of the state.
Assuring that tuberculosis is curable, the speaker urged the people  to seek medical attention in government hospitals since it is free of charge.
On the Easter celebrations, Rt Hon Ibani, enjoined the world to learn from the triumphant entry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, what life human beings should choose to live here on earth.
The Speaker who was in company of his wife, Lady Rose Ibani at the church service sued for peace in the world, regretting that the world today lacks peace.
He said: “Let me join His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, to restate the commitment of Rivers State government in bringing about meaningful development to the state. And in doing so, all hands are required to join the state government to bring about its realisation.
“As part of my own Easter message, as a man of peace, I see the world is not at peace. It is my admonition, on behalf of the Rivers State House of Assembly, that the world should know peace.
“The church has significant role to play in bringing about this. The vulnurable group should be protected by those who are stronger. The women, the children and the very old should know peace in all communities where we come from so that the world would be a better place.
“I also join in similar manner to admonish those who have to extend to the needy because you have the mass of the people in the valley and only a few at the peak of the mountain. Those who have access to economic means should always look back, knowing that the world has more of the downtrodden than those who are on top”, lbani declared.
Given the disparity and lack of development in the state, the Speaker took a swipe at the last administration, condemning the wastages it incurred while poverty stared citizens in the face.
“Imagine that the money that was wasted on the monorail is in the hand of Governor Wike, what would have happened in terms of development of the state? I wish that this Easter would usher in a fresh lease of life in terms of leadership acknowledging the presence of the poor and having the
urgency to help the poor.”
Rt. Hon Ibani said he decided to worship at St. James’ Anglican Church Ataba, his home church, because he believes everybody in leadership position comes from a community.
He also lent his voice to the call for the release of the only Dapchi school girl still in the hands of Boko Haram, who was retained because she would not renounce her faith.
In his sermon, Reverend Canon John Ubulom described Easter as a special day without which there would be no Christianity. He said the resurrection of Christ reordered Sabbath, the day of worship, with people working and worshipping God on the last day in the old order, while in the new order, Jesus has made people to worship God on the first day of the week, thus receiving power to face the rest of the week, a fact buttressed by His resurrection on the first day of the week.