Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Sunday unceremoniously avoided making any speech at the church service held in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary.
Though the governor read the only lesson of the service at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Diobu, Port Harcourt, he however, markedly deviated from tradition known for public office holders like him at such events as he kept mute thereafter without making any speech.
Some observers attributed the governor’s stance to ‘treading with caution’ by the governor so as not to make any slip that could be misconstrued by his “ubiquitous” adversaries.
Another interesting aspect of the governor’s outing was the absence of some key political figures like the speaker of the House of Assembly, and even some of his former appointees.
In the governor’s company were his wife, Lady Valerie Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi and few other dignitaries.
Delivering the sermon titled: “Good news for Nigeria”, the Most Rev. Blessing Enyinda, Dean, Church of Nigeria, noted the significant progress made over the 65 years of attaining independence by the nation, but lamented that despite the enormous resources the neo-colonial attitude of leaders have kept the country underdeveloped.
He said Nigeria is a nation loved by God, with enormous abundant resources and in spite of situations that would have divided the nation including fighting a civil war that lasted for three years, the country still remains one indivisible entity.
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Drawing from the only lesson of the service read by Gov. Fubara and taken from Isaiah 61 verses 1 to 6, Most Rev. Enyinda emphasised that the citizens must free themselves from the shackles of self enslavement as only few are enjoying in the midst of abundance while majority of the citizens languish after 65 years.
He opined that God has been good to Nigeria as the “citizens can elect their leaders, and we can rule ourselves” but “where are we at 65? Have we maximized the gains of independence or the God-given resources?.
“Though, we are free from colonial masters, are we free from ourselves?. We have held ourselves captive and we must have to rescue ourselves from ourselves”, the cleric noted.
He said God has a better plan for the country and called on all leaders and citizens to repent towards God and it will be well with the nation
Most Rev. Enyinda used the occasion to welcome back the governor, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly after a period of rest, which gave them the opportunity to reflect to carry out their responsibility for the benefit of the people, praying that the peace that has returned to the State will be an enduring one.
