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Wike, Others Pay Tributes To Late Fidelis Odili
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has described late Sir Fidelis Obi Odili as a man who lived an enviable life of humility, and related with everybody mutually, no matter their social status.
Wike, who was accompanied by his wife, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, made the observation while giving his tribute at the liturgy of songs and evening of tributes, organised in honour of Fidelis Obi Odili at the Corpus Christi Catholic Cathedral, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The deceased, who was the elder brother of former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, was also the Nzeobi of Ndoni, and had died at the age of 82.
Wike narrated how he secured an instant goodwill of Sir Fidelis Obi Odili in 1999, while he was waiting to be cleared to see Dr Peter Odili, who was then governor-elect.
According to him, the moment he introduced himself as the Obio/Akpor chairmanship candidate, Sir Fidelis Odili directed the security personnel at the gate to let him in.
“He told the security, open the gate for him. I was shocked because it was our first time of meeting.”
Wike also noted the strength of faith that Fidelis Obi Odili exercised in God when his wife experienced delay in having children for him.
The governor said because God eventually gave him children, the former governor’s elder brother decided to devote his life serving God without relenting, and giving to humanity and the church generously.
According to Wike, the life of giving and philanthropy is ingrained in the Odili’s family because the former governor also demonstrates such virtue effortlessly.
The governor announced the donation of N50million to the Corpus Christi Cathedral in recognition of the selfless, godly service that Sir Fidelis Obi Odili had rendered, and also to support the church.
Speaking, the former governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili said he had just been hit with the reality of the fact that his elder brother had passed on to eternity, owing to the several good things that have been said about him.
Such reality, he noted, has enveloped him with the feeling of loneliness, but his confidence lies in the fact that God was with him and the family his brother had left behind.
Earlier, while giving the homily, the former Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Kabari exhorted on the reality of the Christian hope that is pivoted on forgiveness of sin, resurrection of the dead in Christ and life everlasting.
According to him, it was such hope that assures Christians that they can live right with God while on earthly sojourn.
He advised Christian parents to continually teach their children the beauty of such godly living so that they can hold to the virtue of faith in God and look to the beautiful future of life on earth and eternity with God.
In his tribute, former governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia said Sir Fidelis Obi Odili was a quiet-natured gentleman, who lived a refined life with dignity.
Omehia recalled that when he left office as governor, he put a call to Dr Peter Odili, and was connected to the deceased who eventually provided his family accommodation.
According to him, the former governor’s brother prayed with his entire family daily and inculcated Catholicism in his home.
Speaking on the contributions of the deceased to the Catholic Church, Justice Peter Agumagu remarked that the deceased was instrumental to the building of the Corpus Christi Cathedral, and the only chapel located inside the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre (prison).
According to him, Fidelis Obi Odili was a patron to all the associations in the Cathedral and provided his house always as venue to all end-of-year fellowships.
In his remarks, the first son of the deceased, Ogechukwu Joel Odili spoke of his father as a dear friend who lit up the life of people around him, not only of the family and immediate community, but across tribes.
He boasted of choosing no other than his late father over and again, because of the many valuable lessons of life he had learned from him, which included prudence, perseverance and hard work.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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