The Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says, time has come for genuine reconciliation between himself, his mentor and former governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili as well as those with divergent views about the leadership of the state.

Amaechi stated this while reacting to the presence of Dr Odili and ex-governor Rufus Ada-George at the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at Corpus Christi Cathedral, Port Harcourt, both of whom also attended Amaechi’s swearing-in ceremony.

The two former governors, were products of the political engineering process led by Chief  Rufus Ada-George in the early 1990s at Corpus Christi Cathedral, Port Harcourt.

The governor who spoke at the service attributed the reconciliation to fervent prayers, and the spiritual guidance of the Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt and the Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese of the Anglican Communion, described Dr Peter Odili as not only a father, but a mentor who has contributed immensely to the success of his political career

According to him, “l have always expressed optimism that at God’s own time, God Himself will perfect the process”. This relationship will no longer break”, he said.

The State Chief Executive reassured Rivers people that his administration would not disappoint them, saying his second term would attach more premium to employment generation, stressing that the agricultural subsector would equally be accorded priority attention.

He said that a proposed fish farm valued at Nl.6billion, was designed to  provide employment to the teeming youths of the state, and would soon commence operation in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area. He assured also that security of life and property would not be compromised, as citizens must be alive to enjoy the good things of life.

Earlier in his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt Most Rev. Camilus Etukudo had stressed the need to exhibit the virtues of life, forgiveness and tolerance in governance, to bring about peaceful coexistence, and prayed for divine wisdom in the discharge of service to God and humanity.

The Catholic Bishop, who called for genuine reconciliation among the politicians who went different ways in the wake of political disagreements in the 2007 general elections, said “in every competition, there is always a winner and loser, but the winner should always carry others along”.

“Don’t condemn, don’t retaliate and, don’t fight one another, rather forgive one another. Think of Jesus prayer when he said, forgive one another, there is need for reconciliation. This day calls for forgiveness. Always say I am sorry and somebody must say, l have forgiven you. Governor, l  urge you to carry every body along in the true spirit of genuine reconciliation”, the Catholic Bishop advised.