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Rivers APC Holds Prayer Rally For Tinubu, Shettima
Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State , Sir Tony Okocha has described the victory of the party at the 2023 Presidential election in Rivers State as historic as he acknowledged that it was the first time the party excelled in the polls in the state since 2015 .
Okocha also commended , the out going Governor of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike whom he described as a goal getter, for his belief and commitment to power shift to the South and for his role in the victory of the party in the state .
The APC, leader and the national Director of the Tinubu / Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (TSGICC) made this known in his speech at the Rivers State prayer session held at the weekend at the Unity Fountain , Abuja for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-elect and Kashim Shettima, the Vice President-elect as they take the reins of power.
In his remarks, Okocha noted that Rivers has since 2015 been in opposition to Power at the centre but expressed hope that this time t, he State is connected to the Tinubu / Shettima Presidency andthat would translate to more development and dividends of democracy to the people
He also said the fact that the date allocated to Rivers APC for the Prayer session coincided with the 50th anniversary of the State indicates that the state is now better positioned.
According to Okocha, Rivers State prayer session was one of the ways to solidarise with their principal (Tinubu).
Speaking on the leadership capacity of the President, Okocha said: Tinubu is an achiever .
His words “For performance, take that to the bank, he has got the experience, he is not new in the business.
“One thing that made me support Tinubu was the fact that he said he wants to be president, not that people have asked him to come and become president. When you make up your mind that you want to do a thing, you have prepared yourself against the rains and the sun.
“We pray for the wisdom and the strength to carry on for him, we need to be visionary, we want him to be focused, we need all the wisdom and courage and the boldness to take decisions no matter how difficult it is.
On the expectations of the state from the Tinubu/ Shettima Presidency he said ,
“Now that Rivers State is in the bag, we should be making demands, in politics, when you are on the table, you tell the people this is what I brought to the table so this is what I demand.
“There is a difference between making demands and making request, so you demand for your rights while others who didn’t succeed will be requesting for help, so as for us, this is our own time and knowing the relationship between the President, and the Governor of Rivers State who was a spin doctor. Without Wike, it would have been a bit difficult to win Rivers State.
“Since 2015, Rivers State has been at the opposition at the national level. In 2015, we scored less than 10 per cent for Muhammadu Buhari. In 2019, it was worst, but in 2023, APC Rivers did not only score 25 per cent, we won overwhelmingly.
“I want on your behalf send our gratitude to one lion of the South South, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike who introduced us to national politics.”
Reverend Christian Nweze Ahiakwo, who presided over the prayer session, said the event was to seek God’s face for the successful administration of the president-elect as all power comes from the almighty.
His words “Nigeria is transiting to a new season and God bless the APC that we are having a rebirth of Presidency, it is a thing of success and joy and it is worth celebrating.
“For the success of the inauguration, we have programmed a prayer sessions for all the states ahead of the inauguration,” he said.
Mrs Grace Eke , a participant at the prayer session noted that Rivers State expects nothing less than fair share from the incoming government and prayed for a smooth hand over at all levels .
The Tinubu / Shettima pre inauguration prayers was done by all – state chapters of the APC at allotted times .
By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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