The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that God has proved Himself as the ultimate liberator of the state and the residents.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi and sent to newsmen.
The governor stated that while the political antagonism lasted, God gave him a new perspective on leadership, adding that with the strength of support from Rivers people, he stopped seeing the crisis as a problem but as a necessary enabler in governance.
He said, “And not just because I want to accept it, I get stronger in this course every day when I look at the support I am getting from the true Rivers people.
“So, it is not me being strong. My strength is drawn from every one of you here. You gave me encouragement; you do the work for me; you make the calls for me. So, why won’t I stand up for you?
“But we also believe strongly that the ultimate game changer, the ultimate liberator, and the ultimate fighter still remains God Almighty. And because we have Him on our side, victory is assured.”
The governor said God is in control of the affairs of the state, adding that as they look forward to a very prosperous 2025, they should be assured that it would be better than what had been experienced.
He assured of the determination of his administration to make every succeeding year in the state better with remarkable records of progress, stressing that the excitement experienced among Rivers people during the Christmas celebrations is indicative of a brighter future ahead.
Fubara, who vowed to continue to do what is right, said it is also delighting to see true leaders of the state and well-meaning Rivers people standing on the right side of history despite the pressures to surrender to tyranny and oppression.
He said, “I want to thank everyone, and I assure you that we will continue to run a government that will uplift the image of the state. We will not be tyrants.
“We will remember that what we are doing here today is a shift job and that one day, our time will be up, and we’ll leave for another person to take over.
“And what is important is to allow the machine to keep running effectively so that when the other person comes, he continues with that steam for progress in the state. So, I thank every one of you for your support.”
Also speaking, a former Minister of Transport, Abiye Sekibo, who noted that the gathering was a roll call of the political family of Odili, said Fubara had sufficiently blended traits of Odili’s leadership style with his and steered the course of governance successfully, making the people of state proud of him as a worthy son.
In his welcome address, a former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, stated that as a family, he, his wife and children decided to host Fubara and his family to a night of varieties of sing-songs and other activities in appreciation of the fortitude and sterling leadership qualities he has demonstrated.
Odili explained that it is now over 12 months since October 25, 2023, when a fierce existential fight, though unnecessary, was waged against Governor Fubara over the soul of Rivers State.
