Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has expressed gratitude to the body of Christ for upholding the State in prayers without ceasing for the peace, progress and prosperity of the State.
Governor Fubara stated this during the 1st Session of the 7th Synod of the Diocese of Ahoada at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Abua –Central on Saturday 29th July 2023.
Synod is a gathering of Bishops and other critical Church leaders who meet to fashion out policies and implement programmes that facilitates the progress of the work of God in our environment.
Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu Governor Fubara said “We must thank you for having faith in us and upholding us in your prayers because your prayers softened the ground, there was no shooting the way it has been in the past, there were no killings because you stood firm behind us.”
He said the theme of the Synod which is “Having a Life-Changing Encounter with God”, drawn from Genesis 32:26 is very apt because the Almighty God is willing and ever ready to bless all those who diligently work to propagate the spread of the Gospel.
“I summarize in my heart that one thing to take home is to have an encounter with God. We all must strive to have an encounter with God, if our lives are good, it will be better, if it was already better, it will be supper best, so it is a gracious thing to have an encounter with God and have faith that things in your lives will be completely transformed and I believe that I will be one of those that will strive to have an encounter with God”
Governor Fubara who disclosed that this was the time for governance, reiterated that his Administration would continue to pursue programmes and policies that positively impact on the lives of the citizenry who overwhelmingly gave them the mandate to serve.
“We need God to guide us, the Holy Spirit to give us Divine direction on what to do because we cannot do it on our own strength”. He stressed.
The State Chief Executive applauded the Church for recognizing the selfless contributions of the immediate past Governor of the State, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, whom he described as the Hero of the Niger Delta.
“When he believes in anything he stands firm. We all know how much he has sown to churches and the body of Christ and he has advised us to continue to support and interface with the body of Christ”. He further said.
Highlight of the occasion was the Rivers State Government’s presentation of twenty-five million naira support for the Church Project.
In his Presidential Address, the Bishop of Ahoada Anglican Diocese, Rt Rev’d Clement Nathan Ekpeye who congratulated Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu and other elected Government officials on their electoral victories spoke on the theme of this year’s Synod “Having a Life-Changing Encounter with God “, asserting that encountering God will heal the inner parts of our body.
The Bishop who prayed for the success of the Governor Fubara led Administration also thanked the immediate past Governor of the State Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and his wife Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom Wike, for the numerous developmental strides he achieved during his tenure.
The Bishop who said he will retire next year announced a transition committee to be headed by Sir Allen Eze.
