Wike flags off worship centre, explains why

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who has faced open doubts and criticism on account of his spiritual standing, has decided to build a worship centre in Port Harcourt for the Christian community, and has explained why.

Wike is a son of a reverend but his critics had questioned his Christian credentials. Some directly challenged him to mention the name of the church where he worshipped over the years, but the governor has openly romanced at top worship centres in Port Harcourt, including Anglican, Redeem, Salvation Ministries but seemed to have found love in Omega Prayer Ministry (OPM).

Now, Wike has declared that he resolved to build a Christian Ecumenical Centre for the state as a thanksgiving to God for delivering him from the evil machinations of political opponents.

This is as the Primate of the Anglican Church in Nigeria, Nicholas Okoh, commended the governor for putting God first by initiating the construction the State Ecumenical Centre, saying  God would prosper the  state going  forward.

Speaking after the foundation stone was laid, Wike  said that the  Ecumenical Centre would be completed  and commissioned  within the  scheduled  time in 12 months. “It is crucial to me. If there is no money, I will look for money  to complete  this project.  When enemies  plotted against us, God stood with us and ensured that we emerged victorious.”

He said Rivers State is a Christian State that will continue to look up to God for his guidance and blessings.

In his sermon, Okoh said the construction of  the  State Ecumenical Centre was a step in the right direction, saying  it called for  joy to the  Glory of God.

Also speaking, the Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria,  Samuel Uche, prayed for the unity of the church and God’s grace  for the completion  of  the project.

 Special adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Religious Matters, the bishop, Wiston Iwoh, stated that the Ecumenical Centre would help in enhancing the  unity of Christian denominations  in the state. The event attracted Christian clerics from all the denominations of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN., in Rivers State.

 Meanwhile, Wike has stated that he would never renege on his pledges to Rivers people, saying he is committed to the development  of  the  state.

Speaking  in Port Harcourt while commissioning the New Borikiri Road  (Dr Abiye Sekibo road), Njamanze/ Abonnema Wharf Road   and the Industry Road,  the governor  said  that  the road projects were targeted at improving  the  living condition  of  the  people.

During  the  commissioning  of  the New Road Borikiri, Governor  Wike  said  he directed the reconstruction  of the Borikiri New Road after Former Minister of Transport, Sekibo, drew his attention  to  the  suffering  of  the  densely populated suburb.

He said: “I am happy  that this important  road has been delivered  to  improve  the  living condition  of  the  people  of Borikiri.  This is in fulfilment of  the  promise  I made  to the people after I trekked to this community alongside  Dr Abiye Sekibo and Austin Opara.

Speaking  while commissioning  the Industry Road,  the  governor  said  that  the  decision  to  reconstruct the road was targeted at creating  access to the Port Facility in the area and also create alternate route to Bundu  Waterside.

He berated the Nigerian Port Authority, NPA for failing to meet its obligations  after it agreed to fund the reconstruction  of the  road  in conjunction  with  the  state government. The  governor  said that businesses  at the Port have improved with the reconstruction  of the  Industry Road .

The  governor  said  that the  Njamanze/Abonnema Wharf Road has economic  significance as it connects the petroleum tank farms to the state capital  and the Diobu.

The  State Commissioner for Works, Bethel Iheanyichukwu, said all the road projects  were done  in line with  approved specifications .