Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has assured the people of Rivers State that his successor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, will exceed the current administration’s performance.
The governor, who hinged the successes recorded by his administration on the unrelenting prayers of the church, said similar support should also be extended to the incoming government of Fubara to succeed.
He spoke during the dedication of the First Baptist Church in Isiodu. The Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, and Chief Emeka Woke built the church.
Governor Wike, who was represented by the Secretary to Rivers State government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said God had been the anchor of his administration and urged the church not to relent in offering prayers to God on behalf of the incoming administration to succeed also.
“As we round up as a government, we will urge you to continue to pray for us because we know that the anchor of this government is God almighty. And with your prayer, we’ll continue to record successes as we hand over to the next government, which we know will also be anchored on the Almighty and succeed even more than we have done.”
The Rivers State governor said his administration can beat its chest and boast that it has done well, having exceeded even the expectation of sceptics. He, however, emphasised that the church’s support was instrumental to his administration’s achievements.
“We can beat our chest to say we have done well, but we know we couldn’t have done things well if not for the church’s support, if not for the prayers of all of you.”
Governor Wike assured that he will still continue to support evangelism and other church activities in the country. To this end, he implored the church to pray to God for his administration to finish well and strong.
He commended Chief Emeka Woke for building a befitting edifice for the First Baptist Church in his hometown, Isiodu, in Emohua Local Government Area.
Governor Wike described Chief Woke as one man with a firm belief in the providence of God; hence, he was not surprised that he would decide to build a church for God.
“We know that anytime as a government, as individuals we build for God, he will continue to prosper us and establish whatever is our own.”
The president of Rivers Baptist Conference, Rev. Dr Robert O. Okparanta, who dedicated the church building, thanked God for giving chief Woke the heart and resources to start and complete the church project.
Rev. Okparanta noted that it was in the heart of King David to build a temple for God in Jerusalem, but it was his son, King Solomon, who eventually achieved the feat. According to him, God blessed King Solomon exceedingly and caused him to have a peaceful reign.
“It was (King) Solomon that built that temple, finished the building, dedicated the building, and he enjoyed the dividends of construction and dedication of that building. Every time people have put resources together to build a house of God, there has been plenty of blessings, benefits, and dividends that God has given them, and this one will not be an exception.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Emeka Woke, said he was grateful to God for placing it in his heart to build the church and providing the needed resources to accomplish the project.
Chief Woke appreciated his wife, children and friends who contributed their resources, expertise, and time to ensure that the building was finished on time.
