Four days before the emergency rule in Rivers State expires, the Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has urged political actors and other stakeholders to sheathe their swords, embrace peace, reconciliation, and unity, stating that Rivers can no longer afford another crisis.

Ibas spoke during the Interdenominational Thanksgiving organised by the Rivers Government at the Ecumenical Centre in Port Harcourt on Sunday as part of the activities to usher in democratic governance in the state on September 18.

The event, which attracted the state’s Chief Judge, Simeon Amadi, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and some captains of industry, featured ministrations and prayers for Ibas, Rivers, and the country.

The Thanksgiving was conducted by the Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, and had Pastor Ogan Barasin, Rev. Eferebo Joseph, and Pastor Lenwi Michael as ministers.

Ibas, who was accompanied by his wife, Theresa, recalled the circumstances that led to the state of emergency in Rivers and his appointment as the Sole Administrator.

He said, “Six months ago, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. At that moment, our beloved state stood at a crossroad, torn by divisions, instability, and broken trust.

“By God’s grace and with the support of Mr President and all of you, we have walked through those difficult days together. Today, as a people, we return thanks to God for preserving our lives, granting us peace, and allowing the successful conduct of the local government elections across the state and thus laying the foundation for the return of democratic governance in Rivers”.

Ibas noted that God kept Rivers and ensured the state survived the turbulent period, which he said impacted the political, social, and economic activities of the state.

He said the seeds of reconciliation had been planted and asked the stakeholders to make the necessary sacrifices required to nurture the seeds.

Referring to the Ecumenical Centre as the symbol of unity, the sole administrator said Rivers people must rise above bitterness, rivalries, and self-interest to pursue the greater good of the state.

He told the actors that politics should not be an excuse to destroy the state, insisting that the progress and prosperity of the state must be placed above selfish considerations.

Ibas said, “Truly, it was God who kept Rivers State. This service is a solemn testimony of God’s faithfulness to Rivers. We have survived storms, political, social, and economic, and through it all, God has been faithful. The seeds of reconciliation have been planted. These seeds need your deliberate nurture.

“The progress and prosperity of Rivers must be placed above personal and partisan interest. I make a special appeal to our political actors; sheathe your swords. Politics must never be an excuse to destroy the very state you are called to serve. The progress and prosperity of Rivers must be placed against personal or partisan interest.

“Rivers state cannot afford another session of division and acrimony. We must forgive one another and reconcile with sincerity and embrace tolerance. Let us remember that no political victory or personal gains are worth the blood of our brothers and sisters. Let us forgive; let us reconcile, and let us heal. For where there is progress and where there is love, there is prosperity”.

Ibas called on the youths to avoid making themselves available as tools for violence but to channel their energy into building, creating, and sustaining the peace.

He said, “To our youths, do not allow yourselves to be used as tools for violence. Channel your energy into building, creating, and sustaining peace. As our efforts on peace and reconciliation take hold, I urge all the stakeholders, leaders, elders, and political actors to put Rivers first.

“Our collective sacrifices and commitment to peace are what we must all strive to guide at this time. This Ecumenical Centre is in itself a symbol of unity; different denominations under one roof. Rivers people must rise above bitterness, rivalries, and self-interest to pursue the greater good of our state.

“Let us guide the peace we have, nurture it with love, and grow it with stability and prosperity for generations yet unborn. Our elders must continue to guide with wisdom; our faith leaders must sustain prayers for peace; our young people must commit to learning and creating so that Rivers will continue to shine as the treasure base of the nation. As we look forward to the future, let us rededicate ourselves and our lives to God”.

In his sermon, Pastor Ogan Barasin said the thanksgiving was organised to appreciate God’s intervention in Rivers, saying if not for the hand of God, the crisis would have claimed many lives.

He asked all the stakeholders to forget the past and embrace the benefits of the future, insisting that people must learn to love and forgive one another.

He said, “We are witnesses to what happened in our state. But today it is a different story. We are thanking God for his divine intervention in our state. Every man needs God’s intervention. We have had our share of troubles.

“We must admit we didn’t do well. Every one of us contributed to it. The enemy came, but God stood against the enemy. God disappointed the devices and counsels of the enemy. Rivers State belongs to God. The plan of the enemy over this state will not stand. We are here to thank him for his continuous sustenance.

“The target was to ensure our revenue was down so that we would start begging. But we will not beg. God wants us to forget the past and seek a better Rivers. If you don’t let go of the past, you can’t let go of the benefit of the future.

“We must learn to forgive and love each other. We must join hands together to move Rivers forward. As we prepare to hand over, if the attitude doesn’t change, nothing will change. Politics will come and go, but our relationship will remain.”

Barasin regretted that the state squandered a humongous amount of money on court cases and called on the three arms of government in the state to work for the interest of Rivers.

He said Ibas had done his part, adding that the state’s leaders, elders, and other critical stakeholders had a lot to contribute to sustain the peace in the state. (THE NATION)