Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the rising star of Rivers State, celebrated a year of resilience despite threats to his administration.
In a grand event held at the Alfred Diette-Spiff Civic Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, proudly announced that his administration is thriving despite previous predictions of its failure.
Fubara addressed a large crowd at the Rivers State Day of Thanksgiving, Praise and Worship.
He recounted how some detractors claimed he would not last a week in office.
“They boasted we won’t last one week in office,” Fubara declared.
“But we are still waxing strong.”
The Governor took this moment to express gratitude to God for allowing him to continue leading the state.
He credited the unwavering support of Rivers people for his success, stating, “If you were not with us, if you had not stood with us, we won’t be here at this hour.”
The gathering was a celebration of faith and unity, featuring renowned worship leaders and gospel singers.
Fubara emphasized the significance of this day, recalling the attempted disruption of his administration on October 30, 2023.
He described that day as an “assassination” against the people of Rivers State.
“It was an assassination to the people of Rivers State, indirectly and an assassination at me directly,” he explained.
The Governor conveyed how he felt their actions were aimed at undermining the state’s governance.
Yet, he believes that the divine intervention of God protected him and his administration from these threats.
“Somehow, somewhere, by the special grace of God, they failed,” he said.
Fubara further mocked those who predicted his downfall, highlighting the progress his administration has made.
He shared accomplishments, including maintaining transparency and accountability in state finances.
“BudgIT has ranked Rivers State number one in fiscal performance among 36 states in Nigeria,” he announced proudly.
This recognition is significant, especially in a country where fiscal mismanagement is often reported.
Fubara asserted that his administration has been focused on delivering quality social services and impactful projects to the people.
“We are not here to steal your money; we are here to be accountable,” he stated emphatically.
He further elaborated on the state’s achievements over the past year, including the successful management of local government chairmen and commissioners.
“They said those buccaneers will not leave as local government chairmen. Today, we have the 23 local government chairmen sitting here with us,” he said.
Fubara assured the people that his administration would continue to overcome challenges.
He urged Rivers people to remain united and confident in their collective strength.
“There is nothing happening now that cannot be surmounted,” he asserted.
He called for Rivers citizens to stand strong and maintain their faith in their leadership.
“We are here to appreciate God, to say God, the way you did it one year ago, we know you are going to do it again for us,” he said.
The Governor encouraged the community to ignore negative stories circulating on social media.
“By tomorrow, I am still going to pay my contractors,” he promised.
He reassured local government chairmen that their finances were secure and on schedule.
“Your money is coming to your accounts,” he affirmed.
Rev. Uma Ukpai delivered a short message during the event, emphasizing the importance of peace in society.
He called on Rivers people to reject any actions that threaten their peace.
“God abhors troublemakers whose activities are geared towards disrupting the peace,” he declared.
Fubara reiterated his commitment to defending the interests of Rivers State.
He vowed to remain true to his promise to govern for the people, not for personal gain.
“My promise to you all Rivers people is that our administration will do things that will stand the test of time,” he declared.
Fubara mentioned his efforts to implement the Presidential Peace Accord, which aimed to foster harmony in the state.
However, he expressed disappointment at how some parties failed to honor the agreement.
“We made a promise to you that we will continue to defend and protect the interest of Rivers State genuinely,” he reassured.
He urged Rivers people to remain strong and united as they continue their journey toward progress.
The event concluded with musical performances from various artists, including Preye Odede and Frank Edwards.
