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2015: Choose Credible Gov, Amaechi Tells Rivers People …Says No Room For Charlatans In Brick House
In what appeared to be his last Independence anniversary church service speech, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has implored the state citizenry to choose a credible successor in next year’s governorship polls.
Speaking at the 54th Independence anniversary church service held at St Cyprain’s Anglican Church, Niger Delta Diocese, yesterday, Amaechi urged the people to avoid voting for corrupt individuals.
“For me, I have almost finished. But you have the right to protect yourselves from Buccaneers. You have the right to choose who will lead you in 2015. You Christians must rise up and choose the right leader”, Amaechi stressed.
The governor noted that so far, he could boast of achieving good landmarks in some areas since the inception of his administration in 2007, but averred that the people have the final judgement.
“My people say no dancer can see his back. But the Agama lizard, after falling from a high tree, looked both ways and nobody praised him, he shook his head, and said, I have tried.”
One area Amaechi said he could boast of is in education, where he said, “I made promises to God that I will serve the poor. Giving money will not serve the poor but building schools…Serving the poor for me is education first. Believe me, I know what poverty is”.
He, however, admitted that more needs to be done even within the few months before his exit, as he hinted of plans to commence performance assessment.
Amaechi also implored the church to always pray for the administration, adding that, “please, we have not finished in office. Continue to remind us what we need to do.”
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has said that Nigeria has a bleak future if things continue in the manner it is going in the country.
“Things are becoming more difficult than Shehu Shagari and Sani Abacha put together”, he said.
For him, very few people have moved from poverty to wealth under the current dispensation, hence he called on the citizens to seek for change as a way of changing their fortune.
He warned that unless there is change, the country will continue to face economic and political challenges, stressing that, “by December, you will read more of states that are owing salaries…It is not caused by the state government but by the declining revenue allocation.”
Earlier in his sermon titled, “God Is With Nigeria”, Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Ralph Ebirien submitted that God loves Nigeria, hence the reason the country is moving forward despite numerous challenges.
Ebirien urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation, as the country marks its 54th Independence anniversary.
Highlights of the church service included special thanksgiving and prayers offered for Nigeria, Rivers State and leaders.
Governor Amaechi read the first lesson, while his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru the second lesson.
Meanwhile, Rivers state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has declared that Brick House has no vacancy for charlatans and cultists.
Amaechi, who said this yesterday during a special prayer session organised by the Rivers Leadership Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF) in Port Harcourt, also said that the Brick House is not for sale.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Sir Owene Wonodi, said that the next Governor of the state must be someone with a deep Christian background.
He urged members of the foundation to continue to pray to God for His intervention as the state was passing through a difficult phase in its history.
In the meantime, the Rivers Leadership Advancement foundation (RIVLEAF), has canvassed for a riverine governor of Rivers South East extraction in 2015.
The National President of the Foundation, Sir Alex Wele, who said this during the special prayers, said that equity and justice demands that the governorship of the state be zoned to the riverine part of Rivers South East Senatorial Zone.
Wele said that, this has become necessary to ensure the unity of Rivers State.
He also said that time has come for politicians in the state to play by the rules of the game and give peace a chance, stressing that abusing a sitting governor is an act of disrespect to God and humanity.
Wele assured that the on-going search for a credible successor to the state governor will produce a good result, and urged the people to key into the programme.
He also pledged the readiness of the foundation to mobilize grassroots support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the prayer was to usher in peace in the state.
John Bibor
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi (2nd left), his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru (2nd right),Bishop Niger Delta Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev Ralph Ebirien and other dignitaries, during the 2014 Independence Day church service at St Cyprians’s Anglican Church, yesterday
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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