Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

L-R, Former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, his wife, Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike and the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo at the First Rivers State Christmas Carol in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,the Governor of Rivers State has assured the people of the state not to fear the manipulations of those who have ganged up against him because he will emerge  victorious  at the end of his trials.

Addressing  thousands of Christian  faithful  at the First Rivers State Christmas Carol in Port Harcourt  on Saturday,  Wike stated that  since he started politics, he has never had any  cheap victory , noting  that  the  current  challenge  would not be  different.

According to Governor Wike : “I was the only council chairman  in the country whose political  litigation  got to the Supreme Court during  the  1999 Electioneering  process. I got my victory at the Supreme Court in April 2000.”

Rivers Choir group

The governor  said that as Christians,  Rivers people should always look unto God for their salvation,  pointing  out  that  the  machinations  of men can never  overcome  the  will of God.

He said: “When God is doing something; He wants you to know that He alone deserves the glory and praise.”

Wike meeting guests at the carol

On the First Rivers State Christmas Carol, Governor Wike said the programme was organised to give God the glory for the successful take off of the administration and to pray for the consolidation of development gains already attained.

He explained that the initiation of the Carol programme is not the end of CARNIRIV,  noting  that  the cultural  programme  will be held in future.

The governor noted that during his campaign consultation with the clergy, he made three promises. To appoint  a  Special Adviser on Religious Matters, to hold a major Christian programme  and to build an Ecumenical Centre  for all Christians in the state.  Governor Wike said he has already accomplished two, while the Ecumenical Centre will be constructed.

Special Adviser on Religious Matters to  the Governor,  Bishop Winston Iwo stated that the programme  was an inter-denominational Thanksgiving  to God for ensuring  that  the  state has weathered the storms despite  the  numerous  challenges facing  it.

A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media noted that the  praise and worship programme was graced by Rivers State 1000 mass choir, the famous Gospel musician,  Chioma Jesus while the Adonye Omubo-Pepple conducted the choir.

The programme also attracted top government functionaries and prominent Rivers State indigenes led by Former Governor Celestine Omehia and PDP Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.