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WE’RE WATCHERS OVER AFFAIRS OF RIVERS – FUBARA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that he will make a difference with the sterling leadership that is being provided as a watcher over the affairs of the State, and not as one who merely craves for absolute power to control the people of the State.
The Governor explained that those who seek absolute control get obsessed with power, become ruthless and delightfully trample on the rights and liberty of people they should ordinarily dedicate themselves to serve.But Governor Fubara said he will continue to watch over the affairs of State entrusted in his care with the fear of God, and make Rivers people truly proud of his time of service.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance at the baby dedication service in honour of the family of Mr and Mrs Henry Wordu at the Royal House of Grace International Church in Rumueme Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State on Sunday.
He said, “For us, by the special grace of God, He has placed us, today, to watch over the affairs, not to control, but watch over the affairs of this State. I am not controlling, but watching the affairs; and I will watch through the fear of God.
“I will watch, understanding that one day, I will leave and account for the way I had watched over the affairs for all of us,” he said.
Governor Fubara emphasised: “It’s when you are of the mind of controlling power, that you will become obsessed. But when you are watching, you know that one day, you will leave and another will take over.
“So, I will watch with the fear of God, and I will make everyone of you proud. I will make a difference in leadership, and that difference will be to give everybody the opportunity to be free in this State,” he added.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the church for its fervent prayers, which is the reason why his administration is still standing strong and daring to implement impactful policies and programmes that advance the progress and growth of the State.
The Governor said no single man is more powerful than God to thwart divine purpose because, according to him, the hearts of kings are willed to any direction by God to do His biddings.
Governor Fubara asserted that no administration in the State has ever been subjected to the ordeals it is experiencing but stressed that the confidence to pull through is rooted by the spirit to stand in the strength of God continually.
He emphasised, “No man is more powerful than God. And even the heart of that wicked and heartless man or whatever you want to call it, it is even in the palm of God’s hand.
“It’s like a water that God turns in directions He wants. So, it’s only God that will continue to help us. And I know that He will lead us to a successful end.”
Governor Fubara further said: “And I am here to say thank you, first for all your prayers. A good number of you don’t even know me, have not seen me, have not had any personal contact with me, but from the time God showed His mercy upon us, you have always prayed for us, wish us well, and your prayers have always been answered by God.
“We are only standing because of your prayers. What we have gone through in this State, no previous government had gone through it. But it is only God that has made us still standing. Not just standing, but standing in the strength of God.
“It is only God and God alone. Without God, it won’t and will never be possible. So, I want to thank the Almighty God for showing His mercy, His grace that none of us even merit, but He poured it on us abundantly.”
Governor Fubara explained that he is at the church service to identify with Mr Wordu, who is a wonderful and great personality, and also to be part of the dedication of their baby to God.
The Governor noted that the beginning of life of any child is better started from the altar of God in act of dedication, making pronouncements and friends making the promise to join in the upbringing, provision of spiritual guidance and physically tend the child to grow into responsible adult.
He noted, “So, we are here to join everyone to make the promise that we will continue to pray for this baby. We will physically support the upbringing of this child in the fear of God and in the understanding of the workings of God in the lives of everyone.
“Nothing happens without God. He is a perfect designer. Before anything happens, He knows the end from the beginning. He already knows where he is going.
“It’s important you understand who a successful father is. A successful father is not measured by the wealth, money, houses, but when you are surrounded by worthy children.
“So, my prayer is that this baby will grow to bring honour to the Henry’s family; to bring honour to this church; to bring honour to this State; and bring honour to our country, Nigeria.”
Governor Fubara, who urged the church to continue to pray for his administration because God has already taken charge, said Rivers State and its people are truly liberated by God.
The Governor, while assuring of upholding what is right and just for the interest of the State, on behalf of the State Government, donated the sum of N100million support to the church.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, noted that Governor Fubara means well for the State, adding that he will continue to make progress in his governance over Rivers State.
General Musa also noted the huge defence task undertaken by the Nigerian military to ensure sustained security of the country, and assured that they will not relent in that responsibility.
In his speech, General Overseer of the Royal House of Grace International Church, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, said no plan can ever understand the plans of God and how He accomplishes them.
He added that this is why God will continue make detractors dumbfounded with the successes Governor Fubara has recorded within one year in office.
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.