● Tonye Okurumo
•••Declares Open Anglican Archbishops’ Standing Committee Meeting
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that the people of Rivers State are experiencing a governance of peace and freedom, allowing them to go about their daily lives without fear or anxiety.
He emphasized that his administration operates with openness, encouraging constructive suggestions to improve governance, in line with democratic principles.
Governor Fubara made these remarks during a courtesy visit from a delegation of Anglican Archbishops and their wives, led by the Primate and Archbishop Metropolitan of All Nigeria, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday evening.
A statement from Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, highlighted that Fubara acknowledged God’s supremacy in governance and expressed gratitude to the Church for their continuous prayers, which he believes have been instrumental in steering the administration in the right direction.
He stated, “It is not the noise that we are making, not the protests, but it is those quiet prayers and fasting that you are doing for us. And you are seeing the result of it, with what we are doing in the state.
“The kind of governance we are giving. Not governance of hypertension but governance of peace. Governance that gives people freedom to operate, governance that listens and admits. Where we are faulting, we say yes, we are faulting, and we make amends. It is only your prayers that are giving us the direction and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reassured the clergy that his administration will remain guided by the fear of God to avoid misgovernance.
Reflecting on past events, he recalled the Anglican Church’s attempts to mediate in the state’s political crisis, believing that since the key players were Christians, peace could be restored. However, he noted that these efforts were unsuccessful, possibly because it was God’s plan for him to have the freedom needed to provide purposeful leadership.
Addressing the chosen theme for their meeting, “The Bond of Peace: The Call of the Life and the Ministry of the Church,” Governor Fubara underscored the importance of peace in governance and daily life.
“It is the only thing that is needed not just for our State, but for this country going by what we are seeing, read in the papers, experience in the market, encounter in the road, and how we even manage our families to be parents. What we really need is peace so that everything will become normal,” he stressed.
Anglican Primate Commends Governor Fubara
In his address, Most Rev. Ndukuba explained that the Archbishops were in Rivers State for the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion’s Standing Committee Meeting, which convenes twice yearly in February and September.
He highlighted that the theme for this meeting, drawn from Ephesians 4:3, underscores the importance of peace in ministry and governance.
He stated, “The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion has about 170 Bishops and over 165 Dioceses with membership of over 20 million Nigerians.
“Our ministry covers both within and outside of Nigeria, having missions across the world, including the United States of America, Canada, the UK, European missions, and Gulf States. We have missionaries across Africa.”
Most Rev. Ndukuba expressed gratitude for Governor Fubara’s leadership, acknowledging his resilience despite political challenges.
“Leadership is a sacred trust from God Almighty, and as God’s people, the Scripture enjoins us to pray for those in authority. We are here to assure you of our prayers and to appreciate what God is doing through you.
“In spite of the challenges that you are facing, we thank God that you have kept focused, and you are executing the things that you need to do as the Executive Governor of this State.
“We want to thank you for creating an enabling environment to enable businesses to thrive, adding that different religions will have the freedom to practice their faith, both Christianity and the other religions.”
He further appreciated Governor Fubara’s support for the Christian community, particularly the Anglican Church, stating, “And we thank God that you are a bona fide member of this church. We appreciate what you have allowed God to use you to do.”
Standing Committee Meeting Opens Today
The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion’s Standing Committee Meeting (SCM) is set to be formally declared open today (Wednesday) by Governor Fubara at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Old Port Harcourt Township.
The visit concluded with prayers for the Governor, his administration, the state, and the nation, alongside the presentation of souvenir gifts to the visitors. GMTNewsng
