29th May, 2011
After dumping his political godson for the past four years following the ‘K-Leg Saga’, former state governor, Dr. Peter Odili, and wife, Mary who is a Justice of the Supreme Court, Chief Ada George,also a former Governor of the state, were among dignitaries that graced the swearing-in ceremony of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as governor of Rivers State.
The two former governors, who are products of the political engineering process led by Chief Rufus Ada-George in the early 1990s, attended the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service held as part of activities to mark the swearing-in ceremony, at Corpus Christi Cathedral, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the service, Governor Amaechi described today’s swearing-in ceremony as God’s own time for genuine reconciliation between himself, his mentor, Dr Peter Odili and those with divergent views about the leadership of the state.
The governor, who attributed the reconciliation to fervent prayers, and the spiritual guidance of the Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt and the Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese of the Anglican Communion, described Dr Peter Odili as not only a father, but a mentor who has contributed immensely to the success of his political career.
According to him, “I have always expressed optimism that at God’s own time, God Himself will perfect the process. This relationship will no longer break,†he said.
He reassured Rivers people that his administration would not disappoint them, saying his second term would attach more premium to employment generation, stressing that the agricultural sub-sector would equally be accorded priority attention.
He disclosed that a proposed fish farm, valued at N1.6billion whch would provide employment to the teeming youths of the state, will soon commence operation in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area.
He emphased also that security of life and property would not be compromised, as citizens must be alive to enjoy the good things of life.
Earlier in his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt Most Rev. Camilus Etukudo had stressed the need for people in power to exhibit the virtues of life, forgiveness and tolerance in governance, to bring about peaceful coexistence, and prayed for divine wisdom in the discharge of service to God and humanity.
Etukudo, who called for genuine reconciliation among the politicians who went different ways in the wake of political disagreements in the 2007 general elections, said: “in every competition, there is always a winner and loser, but the winner should always carry others along.
“Don’t condemn, don’t retaliate and don’t fight one another, rather forgive one another. Think of Jesus prayer when he said, Forgive one another, there is need for reconciliation. This day calls for forgiveness. Always say I am sorry and somebody must say, I have forgiven you. Governor, I urge you to carry every body along in the true spirit of genuine reconciliation.â€
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt