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Fubara, Odili Eulogise Apostle Numbere At 10th Memorial Lecture
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the founder of the Great Evangelism World Crusade, Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere as a true Apostle of God who always stood for and preached what was right.
Governor Fubara noted that the legacy of the pioneer International Director of the Greater Evangelism World Crusade would remain indelible as he was a remarkable servant of God, hero and father of faith whose commitment to the vineyard of the Lord impacted positively on the society.
Represented by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, Governor Fubara said: “Today, we gather not only to remember the life and legacy of this remarkable servant of God, hero and father of faith, but also to reflect on the powerful ways in which his Ministry continues to impact us all. Apostle Numbere was not just a Missionary Leader. He was an embodiment of the New Testament Apostolic coming. A true epitome of what it means to serve God with undivided commitment, humility and passion in contemporary times.
“As we reflect on his remarkable legacy today, it is also a moment to draw inspiration and motivation from his life and Ministry. Apostle Numbere’s work was not just for his time but continues to challenge us in the present, urging us to be faithful stewards of the gospel, diligent labourers in the vineyard of the Lord, courageously standing for the truth in a rapidly changing world and untold generations.”
He said that Apostle Numbere’s lifestyle is one that is what we call a true Apostle, saying the truth in a every situation.
”Our State is where we are today, because of some of your love for the Governor. It is particularly the prayers of the church that is keeping us. I wish Apostle Numbere were to be alive, I can imagine what he would have been saying now, at a time when everybody is a lawyer, at a time when the police will abdicate their responsibilities and all that. I know that he must be in heaven.
“His prayers for Nigeria has not waxed cold,” Governor Siminalayi Fubara noted.
The Governor promised to stand by the Apostle Numbere’s family and the church, pointing out that, “because it is the church and the Almighty God that have been keeping us and the state.”
He thanked Pastor (Dr.) Mrs. Nonyem Numbere and the International Director, Pastor Isaac Olori and the Church leadership for sustaining the legacy and the Ministry, 10 years on after the transition of its Founder/pioneer International Director, Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere who was one of the pioneers of Pentecostalism in Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, traced their long standing relationship to the early 1990s when the great man of God was introduced to him by the late Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt, Bishop Edmond Fitzgibbon, a relationship that blossomed over the years until the passage of the great charismatic Apostle.
He used the opportunity to applaud the Special Guest of Honour and Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara as a young, vibrant and heavyweight, performing Governor, who God has used to liberate the state.
“Your Excellency, the young, vibrant, heavyweight, performing father of Rivers State. The man who has come to liberate our State.
Let me begin on a celebrating note of appreciation to the Numbere family, for doing us the honour of inviting us to chair this occasion, an occasion in memory of my very dear friend, Apostle Geoffrey Numbere.
“I am delighted and indeed honored to be here to identify with this celebration, and to lead the role of the chairman of the occasion.”
He thanked Pastor (Dr.) Mrs. Nonyem Numbere for the honour of inviting him to chair the 10th Memorial Lecture held in honour of his friend, Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere, noting that even though he is a Catholic knight, it never affected his relationship with the Apostle.
“When in 1998, I decided to take a shot at the governorship campaigns, Apostle Numbere was one of my closest confidants, advisor and spiritual director. He worked hard for that election as though he was a contestant, and God answered his prayer,” he added.
Dr. Odili noted that Apostle Numbere succeeded in his mission because he was a true soldier of Christ, observing that like Paul who encountered Jesus on his way to Damascus, Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere encountered Jesus while pursuing a degree programme at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), and never looked back afterwards as he abandoned his studies to go into full-time evangelism that later gave birth to the Greater Evangelism World Crusade.
”Today, the mission he started is an international mission, why did he succeed? Because of his absolute faith in Christ. He held Christ gloriously, the courage, the tenacity, absolute devotion, in honesty, integrity, discipline, compassion, he won many souls to Christ, that is why yes he has passed on, but his glory will continue till eternity. I want to thank especially the family for keeping the faith of his vision alive.
“Let me specially congratulate all of you who have held this vision, I commend you and urge you to keep it to the end. You know when we are doing a good work, there will be challenge, some people will be beside you, and if you are convinced that you are working for God, nothing, no obstacle can stop you.
“Faith is the key, absolute faith in Christ is the key, those of you who were privileged to have come in contact with him while he was with us can tell that he is such a nice man. 10 years ago he left us, but his good work has brought us here we are to respond to this invitation the way we have come, it reminds me of this celebration, it will not just end with celebration, it will become a new impetus to lead the Nation to another level.”
He promised to continue to support the church. “Let me assure you that we will continue to stand with you, we will continue to support you by the special grace of God, all of us collectively will ensure that his memory remains forever. I urge you to participate fully and actively in every activity of this celebration.”
In his welcome address, the International Director of the Greater Evangelism World Crusade, Pastor Isaac Olori, paid glowing tribute to the Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere, describing him as a “visionary leader and an embodiment of the new testament Apostolic calling, a true epitome of what it means to serve God with undivided commitment, humility and passion in contemporary times.”
Pastor Olori noted that Apostle Numbere dedicated his life to the advancement of the gospel and underscored the need to reflect on his remarkable legacy as well as draw inspiration from his life and Ministry.
In his memorial lecture titled: “Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere: An Epitome of a New Testament Apostle in Contemporary Times,” the Guest Memorial Lecturer, Prof. Danny McCain, traced his association with Apostle Numbere and gave detailed analysis of his Apostolic calling and how he gave his all for the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The event which was held in the Atlantic Hall of the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt on Saturday was attended by dignitaries from across the world, including captains of industry, top government functionaries, traditional rulers and members of the Christian community as well as kinsmen and women of the great Apostle.
Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.