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Rivers CAN Mourns Victims Of Religious Violence

Published

10 years ago

January 6, 2017

The Rivers State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has expressed deep concern and regrets over the death of Nigerians, occasioned by Boko Haram religious sect’s insurgency and Fulani cattle herdsmen in tolerance in various parts of the country.
Expressing regrets to what he described as ‘fake religious bigotry and extremism’, the Rivers CAN Chairman, and the Primate of the New Holy Christ Army Church Worldwide, Most Rev Isaac C. T.
Anyanasikike, described the deaths as unnecessary wastes and irreparable losses of human lives, and urged the Federal Government to wake up to the defense of the defenceless Christians and stem the orgy of violence in the various parts of the country in the current year.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt, in reaction to what he described as ‘continuous’ killings of children of God in Nigeria, especially in the Southern Kaduna, the ‘Man of God’ charged the various strata of the government to wake up from slumber, utilize optimally the security agencies, mobilise opinion and traditional leaders to check religious intolerance, violence and killings in the country, even as he condemned, in its entirety, the wanton waste of human lives.
On the Southern Kaduna Killings, he noted, “CAN has therefore declared Sunday, January 8, 2017, national day of mourning, in memory of those victims, and to draw attention, both nationally and internationally to the on-going ethnic/religious cleansing of Nigerian Christians in general and those of southern Kaduna in particular, in the last few weeks.
“As a result of this declaration, the National Headquarters has directed Christians all over the country, to attend church services that day in black attire, to prove their point— condemnation and rejection of the dastardly act against them.”
On the recent violence involving Fulani herdsmen in Enugu, in which three lives were lost and a Mosque burnt, he said that the incessant crises involving the Fulanis in several parts of the country, since the emergence of the present Federal Government, rather projects the government and President Muhammadu Buhari in particular, in bad light.
Anyanasikike advised the Federal Government to initiate what he described as proactive measures to deal with the issue, declaring the creation of mobile police posts to curb the killings and arrest offenders, as a lip service to religious intolerance.
“Government should stop the killings, and as well ensure that those behind the killings, are brought to book, under the laws of our land and those affected be compensated.
“Let the Federal Government, in honesty, should reach out to religious leaders—the CAN, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Nigerian Human Rights Commission and other religious groups to deal with the matter, once and for all.
“It is rather unfortunate that, while we grapple with national economic recession, there are religious crises here and there. When it is not the Fulani herdsmen and one community, it is the Shiites against the Sunnis, or Christians attacked and churches burnt in one state or the other”, he regretted.
The Primate maintained that there was cordial relationship between Christians and Muslims in the state, appealing to other states to emulate them.
He commended the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for conducting the affairs of the state with the fear and wisdom of God, and vouched the continued support of the ‘the body of Christ’, in Wike’s resolve, to make Rivers the envy of other states in the federation.
“Governor Nyesom Wike is the first to take a decisive stance on the welfare of Christians and worship of God, since the birth of our dear state, no wonder he is the ‘Golden’ governor. His all-inclusive government has brought about peace and stability here. I make bold toassure the people of Rivers State that, he will complete the Christian Ecumenical Centre in record time,” he assured.
He noted the cordial relationship between his association and the state government, observing that it was the duty and responsibility of CAN to pray for the government and state, emphasizing that it was their prayers that saved the state from massive slaughter of human beings, in the just concluded legislative re-run elections.
Asked to comment further on the success and/or failure of the elections, he declined comments.
“We are the umbrella body of Christians, and not non-governmental organization (NGO), or a political group. We pray for the state and advise government, when the need arises. We are completely and totally non-political,” he said.
He wished Governor Wike, Rivers State and Nigeria a fruitful 2017, predicting that, if the various arms of government utilize the funds appropriated to them, as contained in the budget, operate in accordance with realistic economic blue print, the national economic recession will end before the fourth quarter of the year, and also urged the youth of the state to take seriously agriculture.
“For certain, the government cannot provide employment to all. Some will be in the business sector, while others embark on farming. There is much money in agriculture, and good enough, our soil is fertile, coupled with government’s encouragement.
I sincerely encourage our youth to pay attention to agriculture, and shun militancy”, he argued.

Featured

RSG Floats MNET Culture Content Promo

Published

7 days ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.

He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.

He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.

“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.

Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.

The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.

On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.

Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.

With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.

He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.

Kevin Nengia

Featured

APC Presidential Campaign Storms PH, ‘Morrow

Published

7 days ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

Barring last minute changes, the presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, tomorrow.

This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.

The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.

The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.

President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.

The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.

The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.

The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.

Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.

Featured

2027: Be Politically Neutral, Fubara Tasks Traditional Rulers

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.

The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.

“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.

“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.

Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.

He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.

“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.

On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.

Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.

He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.

He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.

The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.

Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.

The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.