Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday, September 28, 2025, led stakeholders and leaders of the state to a church service marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The service, which held at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Diobu, Port Harcourt, featured the governor reading the only lesson of the day. He was accompanied by his wife, Lady Valerie Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, and other prominent leaders and stakeholders.
Delivering the sermon titled: “Good News for Nigeria”, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Dr. Blessing C. Enyinda, commended the resilience of the nation over 65 years of independence but lamented that neo-colonial attitudes and poor leadership have hindered development despite Nigeria’s abundant resources.
He noted that Nigeria, loved by God and endowed with vast human and natural resources, has survived challenges that could have divided the nation, including a three-year civil war, yet still remains united.
Drawing from the Bible passage read by Governor Fubara (Isaiah 61:1–6), the cleric urged Nigerians to liberate themselves from “self-enslavement,” stressing that only a few benefit from the nation’s wealth while the majority struggle.
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“Though we are free from colonial masters, are we free from ourselves? We have held ourselves captive and must rescue ourselves from ourselves,” he said.
Most Rev. Enyinda called on leaders and citizens alike to repent and realign with God’s purpose, insisting that Nigeria has the potential to fulfill a greater destiny if properly governed.
He also welcomed back the governor, deputy governor, and members of the State House of Assembly after a period of rest, praying for enduring peace in Rivers State and urging leaders to reflect deeply in carrying out their responsibilities for the good of the people.
