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State Thanksgiving: Pray For Better Leaders In 2015 -Amaechi
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has enjoined the people of the state to pray for better leaders in 2015.
Speaking at the annual State Thanksgiving and Dedication Service, which attracted citizens from all walks of life to the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre last Monday in Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi said he was afraid that politicians jostling for power were all doing so for their selfish ends.
“We need a government that is God-fearing to put things right, these people have no fear of God,” he warned.
Amaechi, who used the service to warn Rivers people of a foretaste of what will happen if this crop of opposition succeeds in producing the next governor of the state said, “we must pray to God to protect us from PDP,” adding that “virtually everything we had put in place for the people, PDP is taking them away, including 42 oil wells from Soku. We need to pray God to stop such persons.”
The governor lamented that before the political crisis started a year ago, the state economy was at the top competing with Lagos, but with the current crisis, the fortunes of the state has nosedived.
Urging every citizen and cleric to pray for the state, Amaechi hinted that henceforth, the thanksgiving service will be made an annual ritual, as the next one will be held at the Modern Conference Centre being constructed by the state government.
Governor Amechi, who said the inspiration to have a day set aside for Christ came to him some years back while he was on a trip to Ghana.
In a message to mark the day, the General Overseer of Gateway International Church, Pastor George Izunwa, reminded residents and participants that challenges were part of life, and admonished them to always put their trust in God in every situation.
The annual thanksgiving dedication service is usually observed every 27th of January to commit the affairs of the state into the hands of God for the rest of the year.
It is usually marked with prayers and soul lifting renditions by various religious groups as well as inspirational messages from renowned men of God.
Highlight of the service was the dedication of the state and the entire nation to God by Rev Steven Akinola of the Redemption Ministries, who read from the book of Isaiah 11:1-10.
Among dignitaries at the thanksgiving service was the Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru, who took the second reading of the day from the book of Psalms 46:1-11.
Other personalities include heads of parastatals, traditional rulers and members of the State Executive Council and members of the state House of Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has emphasized the need for the state thanksgiving and dedication service to be gazetted as an annual event in the state.
He said the annual event will pave way for ministers of God to intervene in the administration of the state through continuous prayers and thanksgiving to God.
Speaking on Monday at the 2014 Rivers State Thanksgiving and Dedication Service at the Main Bowl of the Alfred Diette-Spiff Complex in Port Harcourt, Amaechi urged ministers of God and Rivers people to be persistent in prayers to put an end to the political crisis rocking the state.
According to him, “shortly after I took over office in 2007, my wife has been worrying me to set aside a day for Thanksgiving and Dedication Service to God. So, I want to charge the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to Gazette 27th January of every year to be set aside to glorify God and dedicate the state to God Almighty, believing that even after my tenure, the event continues as a custom.
“I thank the ministers of God for their continued prayers. Rivers people must join the men of God and Christians to stop the thieves from coming back to power. This is the time men of God must go back on their knees to pray and protect the state from selfish and self-serving politicians in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”, Amaechi said.
Governor Amaechi also decried some of the wrongful measures taken by the Federal Government against the state resources, especially the ceding of oil wells in Soku and Etche communities in the Akuku-Toru and Etche Local Government Areas respectively to Bayelsa and Imo states.
“It is true that virtually everything we have, the PDP has taken them all, especially the 42 oil wells in Etche and the oil wells in Soku.
Amaechi while recalling the recent violent attack in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area by hired political thugs against the rally organized by the Save Rivers Movement that is saddled with the responsibility of sensitising and mobilising the people, said there was need for Rivers people to resist the evil machination of greedy politicians against the interest of Rivers people, especially the upcoming election in 2015.
“If you recall what happened at the rally organised by the Save Rivers Movement in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, where hired political thugs resorted to violence, you will agree with me that we are going back to the days of shooting and maiming of innocent citizens in the state. So, we must stand up and face them by voting them out in the upcoming 2015 election”, Amaechi said.
“I met the former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), who asked me what motivated me to take the model schools to the village children to be trained.
And I said, I am addressing poverty, because it is now a place of learning where the rich man’s son or daughter will meet the poor man’s son or daughter. I see it as eradicating poverty in our society. We have also built primary healthcare centres to take care of the health needs of the poor”, Amaechi said.
In his exhortation, General Overseer of the Gateway International Church, Pastor George Izunwa urged Rivers people to put their trust in God through consistent worship in order to allow peace return to the state.
Highlights of the event was the offering of prayers and dedication of the state to God by the General Overseer of Redemption Ministries, Reverend Steven Akinola, as well as sing songs, praise and worship.
R-L: Deputy Governor, Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru, flanked by Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, wife of the Governor, Dame Judith, SSG, Mr George Feyii, at the 2014 Thanksgiving and Dedication Service in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi