Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged his supporters to remain firm in their beliefs, assuring them that victory is certain despite current political challenges. Speaking at a thanksgiving church service marking the 60th birthday of the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI, the Governor said, “At the end, we shall win because we are standing on a solid rock.”
Governor Fubara began his goodwill message with the hymn “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand”, using the lyrics to reaffirm his commitment to truth and integrity. He emphasized that he remains guided by his convictions and is unshaken by those offended by his actions.
“I live true to my beliefs. Those who are offended cannot change who I am,” Fubara declared. Speaking at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Bonny, the Governor drew parallels between his own experiences and that of the monarch, recalling how the King overcame adversity when all hope seemed lost.
“When unusual things happen to extraordinary people and they survive, it is about where they are standing. Your Majesty, it can only be God that has sustained you,” he said. Fubara praised the King’s approach to leadership, describing it as rooted in humility and service, not control or dominance.
“Leadership, as you said, is not about ruling or ordering, but about service. And that service is what makes your reign extraordinary,” the Governor noted. He urged the monarch to remain focused on doing what is right, stressing that “no king lives forever, and no authority lasts forever,” but that great legacies endure.
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“I celebrate you for ruling like a man who is not controlled. What matters most is that you leave behind deeds that will speak for you forever.” Turning to his own political journey, the Governor offered reassurance to his supporters: “Be strong. Sometimes you lose to win. I don’t consider myself as having lost anything.
When you detach yourself from material things, you realize true power lies in standing firm. And we will win because we are on solid rock.” In his remarks, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, who has reigned for 29 years, reflected on the significance of his diamond jubilee.
“Every day has been a lesson, and every season has shaped me. This celebration is not just about me, but about our shared history, values, and the future we are building together,” he said. The monarch reaffirmed his commitment to peace and unity in the kingdom, highlighting his role as a custodian of the Perekule dynasty.
“Leadership is not a position of privilege but a duty of service. I will continue to preserve the dignity of our throne and work for a peaceful and prosperous Bonny.” King Edward thanked the people of Bonny and external stakeholders for their unwavering support, promising to continue upholding the legacy of the throne.
Delivering the homily, Rt. Rev’d Dr. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese, emphasized the importance of thanksgiving, citing Psalm 105:1–15. The Bishop noted that the King’s 29-year reign has brought peace and progress to Bonny Kingdom, describing it as a testament to divine grace and purpose. “This thanksgiving is in recognition of God’s blessings—spiritual and physical on the King, his family, and the Bonny people,” he said.
