Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, has resolve to complement the efforts of Churches in the State to advance the work of God.
He assured that his government is committed to partnering with them to improve development
Sir Fubara subsequently announced N500Million to support the activities of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion for the year 2025.
Gov. Fubara made this known on Wednesday, February 18, 2025 at St. Cyprain Anglican Church, Port Harcourt while declaring open the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church led by the Primate, His Grace Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba.
Acknowledging what the gathering means to the state, the governor noted, that the meeting is special in expanding God’s work not just in Rivers but in Nigeria, stressing that he has listened to the address of the Primate and few things mentioned are in line with the programme of his administration.
“Issues of security of lives and property, welfare of our citizens and healthcare. You also have aspects of youth development which you are spending about N5billion. I commend what you are doing.
He assured that Rivers State Government under his watch will support the Church of Nigeria as partners, adding that the government cannot do it alone but with spirited organisations like the church to succeed.
“Let me on behalf of the government and good people of Rivers State declare this Standing Committee Meeting open. And having seen the magnitude of work ahead, we will support activities of the Church for the year 2025 with the sum of N500million.”
The governor promised that his government will continue to partner the Church, not just the Anglican communion alone but every other denomination to ensure the preaching of peace in order to enable the country to witness rapid development.
He emphasised that there are challenges bedeviling the country which includes hunger as one critical issue, noting, “The hunger is not because we are no longer engaging in agriculture but because of insecurity we can no longer produce at least to feed ourselves.”
“It is also not that we don’t have good doctors and hospitals but because of the kind of services and welfare packages for our doctors, what we hear is that they are leaving the country. And when they go out they are the best.
“So we need to also encourage good welfare for our people so that our healthcare system can compete favourably with those in other places in the world. All these we can achieve if we work together.
Sir Fubara stated that if preaching peace and providing an enabling environment, while the government operates peacefully, there will be benefit of good governance spread to the public.
In his Presidential address at the Standing Committee Meeting, the Primate of the Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria, His Grace Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his support to the Church and commitment to peace and development in the State especially in human capital development
He listed several areas of concerns which include security, youth empowerment, healthcare, peace and development across the country and called for concerted efforts to remedy the situation.
Primate Ndukuba emphasised the contribution of the Church of Nigeria in tackling some of the challenges which include a N5billion youth empowerment fund and solicited support to ensure smooth execution of some of the development programmes of the Church.
