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Insecurity: Okowa, Soludo challenge southeast residents on reviving region’s economy
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Governor of Anambra, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, at the 60th birth anniversary thanksgiving service of Archbishop of Awka Diocese of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev’d Alexander Ibezim, at the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka, Anambra State, challenged the people of Southeast to unite towards reviving the region’s economy being battered by insecurity.
Okowa decried that the southeast is destroying its own economy with home-grown insecurity, including a sit-at-home order, enforced by non-state agents. The governor called for deep soul-searching by all the actors, urging them to unite and resolve the impasse.
Okowa commended Governor Soludo for his efforts at tackling insecurity since assuming office, urging the people to support him to end the insecurity challenge which had impacted negatively on the economy of the state and region.
Governor Okowa stated: “I am glad that the people are supporting the governor because I can see a lot of changes and I believe it is well with our people because I know that the more we have sanity, the more the economy of the people of the Southeast will grow.
“We cannot afford to destroy our economy with our own hands, and may God not allow us to destroy our own selves with our hands.”
The governor said he was glad to honour the Archbishop’s invitation to the service, adding that with the security and economic crisis rocking the nation, it was difficult for people to feed.
“There is no doubt that in our nation, Nigeria, as it is today it is not easy to shepherd the people because the times are difficult and families are finding it difficult to eat.
“But I know that the Archbishop is a very prayerful man and he is well with the people and the diocese.
“At a time like this, I always urge church leaders to continue to pray because the prayer of the righteous does more than the people think it does.
“As politicians, we also belong to the body of Christ and the more our people pray rather than despair, the more likely the nation will turn around because there is nothing God cannot do.
“And we must allow God to lead us this time because mistakes have been made in the past but we do not want to make mistakes again.
“People are happy with you and they have come to celebrate with you but to me it is more work for you because it is time to pray more for the people and the country,” Okowa said.
Governor Soludo said it was a moment of rededication for the people of Southeast, adding that known and unknown gunmen had no place in Anambra.
“It is a moment of rededication for the Southeast to realize how Nigeria politics works because what we are looking for in Igbo land requires hard work, dedication and building strategic alliances.
“I have said that for me, I will not celebrate until when we tackle insecurity to almost near zero, when all our schools work, when all our hospitals and roads are fixed then i will celebrate,” the Anambra State Governor declared.
Soludo congratulated Archbishop Ibezim for 38 years of impactful life in the service of God, assuring that his administration would continue to work for the peace and development of the state.
“We will continue to work hard to rid Anambra of miscreants disturbing the peace of our state because known and unknown gunmen have no space in Anambra.
“I urge Christians to come together and work for the growth and development of the state and country through the spirit of Ecumenism.
“On behalf of the good people of Anambra, I welcome all of you from the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to Anambra State,” Soludo said.
Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, in a sermon, said no matter what the country was facing, God had promised a solution if the people could seek Him through faith.
He urged Nigerians to keep believing God with faith for a solution to the nation’s challenges, adding that “contentions and trials will surely come but God who kept us until now will keep us throughout these trying times,”
He described the celebrant as a humble, articulate, and persevering priest who had contributed immensely to the growth and spiritual development of the Awka Diocese and beyond.
Chairman of the occasion, Senator Ben Obi, described Archbishop Ibezim as an undisputed prayer warrior whose spiritual contributions to the Awka Diocese and Province of the Niger was unparalleled.
The celebrant, Archbishop Ibezim, thanked the Primate and invited guests for honouring him, assuring that he would continue to dedicate his life to the service of God and humanity.
Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluchukwu Ibezim, Senator Uche Ekwunife and Senator Victor Umeh among others, attended the thanksgiving service.