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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.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
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RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor