Rivers State Sole Administrator Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has urged the people of the state to rise above bitterness, rivalry, and instead embrace peace and reconciliation for the greater good of the state.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibas made the appeal today at the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt, as part of activities marking the state’s transition to democratic governance.
He stressed that the progress and prosperity of the state must be placed above personal or partisan interest as the state cannot afford another season of division and acrimony.
The Administrator who reflected on the past six months of his administration, said his government deliberately sowed seeds of love and peace, which now require collective nurturing by Rivers people.
He noted that the thanksgiving service was to return thanks to God for safeguarding the state and laying the foundation for return of democratic governance.
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Vice Admiral Ibas admonished youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used as tools of violence, but to channel their energy into building and sustaining peace as well as elders, community and religious leaders to provide continued guidance and wisdom for the stability of the state.
He expressed gratitude to God for the modest gains of his administration, as well as President Tinubu and Rivers people for the support, praying that the state remain a shining light of hope, stability, and progress in Nigeria.
Delivering the sermon, the Chaplain of the Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, Port Harcourt, Pastor Barasin Ogan, who spoke on the theme “Grateful Heart”, recalled the socio-political and economic tensions that engulfed Rivers during the recent political crisis, describing them as “seeming intractable,” but noted that God had intervened to restore peace.
He urged Rivers people to let go of the painful past, embrace unity and join hands together to ensure that the state continue to enjoy its blessings as the treasure base of the nation.
