Weekly ISSN: 1596-4280 is Published by THE BEAM
Productions Limited, #64/66 Nsukka Street, Mile 1 Diobu, Port
Harcourt, Abuja-Ground Floor, Coscharis Plaza Opp Union Bank, Area 3,
Garki Abuja All Correspondence to the
Editor, Festus Ugworah
A coalition
of Christian Organizations in the United
State, under the aegis of African-American Solidarity
Initiative, has promised to partner with Churches in RiversState
to promote the growth of Christianity and improve the standard
of education in the State. The group which are from the
Diocese of Sacramento California, United State and led by Miss
Harlene Harris, made the promise, during a courtesy call on
the Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili at Government House,
Port Harcourt.
Miss Harlene Harris, leader of the delegation who spoke on
their behalf said they were in the State to have a first hand
experience and knowledge of the culture of the people and to
assess what areas of service they would render to the people.
Miss Harris expressed the hope that the opportunity would
promote long lasting relationship that would assist not only
Nigeria
and its people, but also help in the provision of humanitarian
services to the people, and expressed appreciation for the
hospitality accorded them by Rivers people since arrival,
describing the gesture as overwhelming and unprecedented. Miss
Harris commended the State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili for the
tremendous effort he has exerted in giving the people of the
State quality leadership, and for keeping his administration
closer to God, saying that through his good leadership, the
culture of love and generosity has been planted in Rivers
people. Responding, the State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili
thanked them for the visit, recalling an earlier visit of a
similar team from the US two years ago, adding that the
inclusion of an indigene of the State in the delegation is a
clear indication of the oneness of humanity and God, stressing
that once this is appreciated the happier the world would be.
He thanked
them over the fine compliments paid to Rivers State explaining
that the State with about 18 languages and ethnic communities,
has one of the most difficult terrain, favoured by God with
over 30% of the resource of the nation, but noted that man’s
tendency to injustice denied it of the rightful share of these
resource for so many years. The State Chief Executive said he
identified with the sprit of the visit, pointing out that the
relationship between America
and Africa dated back to history, saying that the building of
new solidarity spirit through the instrumentality of the visit
is worthwhile, and thanked them for the sacrifices taken to
make the visit. Dr. Odili who expressed the belief that the
fusion of a number of denominations, including Catholic,
Methodist, Anglican and Baptist, in the delegation was evident
of the spirit of ecumenism, explaining that in Rivers State,
although the Governor is a Catholic Papal Knight, it is
difficult for many people to understand which denomination he
belongs because he identifies with every existing Church in
the State. The Governor who described the move as the way to
build the oneness of the body of Christ, insisted that the new
way must be put into practice, to show that where one worships
no longer counts in the understanding of the word of God.
Dr. Odili was later decorated with a scarf that commemorates
the canonization of St. Bakhita, blessed by the Bishop of
Sacramento, California, USA.
The Rivers State
Government says its decision to receive groups is in keeping with its
policy to give attention to persons or groups that has genuine reasons
to embark on solidarity movements. The State Commissioner for
Information, Hon. Magnus Abe made this known when he received the
Akwa-Ibom State Youth Coalition Movement on a Solidarity visit to
Government House, Port Harcourt. The Commissioner noted that the State
Government was aware that people from all walks of life reside in
the state and ensures that there are no discriminations in the
reception of persons who have a message to deliver to government. “We
receive everybody that has come in peace”, he said while thanking the
Youths for being messengers of goodwill for the people of the
South-South region. According to him “anybody who thinks that the
feelings of youths do not count, do not understand what it is all
about”, noting that it was gratifying to see that Youths are
positively positioned in moving the country forward. While describing
the Youths as the future of Nigeria,
Hon. Abe said that it is the belief of the people of Rivers State that
now it is time for the South-South to produce the President of
Nigeria, and called for concerted efforts on all fronts to ensure that
the desires of the people are achieved.
Earlier, the Rivers
State Coordinator of the Akwa-Ibom State Youth Coalition Movement, Mr.
Godswill Nkamiang, said they were in Government House to persuade
Governor Peter Odili to contest the 2007 Presidential Elections in
Nigeria. Mr. Nkamiang who said their support for Odili Presidency was
borne out of their conviction that the Governor has since 1999
demonstrated good virtues of Leadership, saying only someone who has
been able to achieve all you have done, with the limited resources
available to you, is ripe to govern us in the next dispensation.
He
catalogued several areas in which the Odili administration in Rivers
State has excelled and reminded him that they could not have come all
the way from Akwa-Ibom State for frivolities, rather they were ready
to back his Presidential bid with their unflinching support.
The Rivers State
Government says it will apply the full weight of the law on all those
perpetrating criminal activities in the State who have refused to
embrace peace. Governor Odili gave this indication when members of the
Okrika Community Peace Committee, led by its Chairman, Prof. Tekena
Tamuno, submitted the half year report of their findings on Okrika
crisis, to the State Governor. Dr. Odili assured the people that
government has the will to ensure that those who sponsor or are
involved in crisis are dealt with according to the law, emphasizing
that “nobody has the right to make life uncomfortable for another
person or threaten the peace of others”. The Governor said the “day of
reckoning would come when the criminals would be apprehended”, and
re-emphasized that “everyday is for the thief and one day is for the
owner of the house, that is the message for those who choose to do
that, let them get ready for the response of government”. He thanked
the Chairman and members of the committee for the way they condemned
the untold activities of some members of the Okrika community, and
expressed the hope that they would join hands to help government in
building the foundation that would lead to a new Okrika community. Dr.
Odili explained that the philosophy behind the setting up of the Peace
Committee was based on the need to restore community spirit, respect
for elders and institutions, reform those who have derailed and bring
them back to the part of rectitude to ensure growth as well as
communal coexistence in Okrikaland.
The Governor
promised to forward the report to President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding
that already contract has been awarded for the Okrika Ring Road
project while Government has directed the Finance Commissioner to set
aside a special fund that will cater for all the money needed to
conclude work on the project, and stressed the determination of the
government to commission the project before leaving office next year.
He thanked the Committee for working hard to bring forward the report,
adding that the energies expended in the process of finding peace for
Okrika community would be justified when the objective of the exercise
is achieved for the good of all. Earlier, the Chairman of Okrika
Community Peace Committee Prof. Tekena Tanumo said the Committee which
was constituted on October 12, 2005 had worked assiduously, and the
report submitted represents a conscious opinion of all members, while
expressing gratitude to the Governor for his concern towards the
Okrika people. Prof Tamuno rendered an apology to Government on behalf
of some Okrika people who do not want to toe the part of peace, and
used the opportunity to formally report some of the bad eggs to
government for necessary action, noting that they would not want such
persons to disrupt the peace of the State or spoil the record of
achievement of the State Government. The committee
congratulated Dr. Odili for serving the State brilliantly well, and
urged him to come forward to contest the 2007 Presidential elections
as the drums beating all over the country are in his favour to lead
the country to the next level.
