65th Independence: Oborevwori calls for unity, justice in rebuilding Nigeria

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged Nigerians to embrace unity, fairness, and justice as essential pillars for rebuilding the nation and securing a brighter future.

The governor made the call on Sunday during an inter-denominational thanksgiving service held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, West-End, Asaba, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

Expressing gratitude to God for sustaining the country through decades of trials, Oborevwori said Nigeria’s survival, despite daunting challenges, was a sign of divine grace. “Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the Nigeria of our dreams. Independence was born out of a vision of hope and brightness for this country, and we must continue to build on the sacrifices of our founding fathers,” he stated.

The governor described Nigeria as a proud nation with reasons to be thankful, noting that it had weathered crises that could have led to disintegration but for God’s mercy and the resilience of its people. He also commended the role of the Church in maintaining peace, saying, “Without the prayers of Christians and preaching of the gospel, the nation’s situation would have been worse.”

Calling for continued prayers for leaders, Oborevwori stressed that peace remained the foundation of development. “What we want in Delta State is peace, because development starts where peace abounds. When there is peace, we can do more for our people. Those of us in political leadership must always put the people’s interest first, not our own,” he added.

Highlighting achievements of his administration in infrastructure and social investments over the past two years, the governor assured Deltans of more developmental and empowerment programmes in the coming year. He further challenged Nigerian youths to be champions of unity and righteousness, insisting that the task of rebuilding the country rests on its citizens. “This country will not be rebuilt by foreigners. It is we, Nigerians, who will rebuild it. Let us make the necessary sacrifices for the brighter future that awaits us. Nigeria is God’s own country,” he declared.

In his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Elue, urged Nigerians to embrace the “good fight of faith” by cultivating virtues of righteousness, godliness, love, endurance, and gentleness. He also called on the wealthy to remember the less privileged, reminding worshippers that “what we share with our brothers and sisters is what will count for us when we appear before God on the day of judgment.”

The thanksgiving service drew an array of dignitaries, including the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Catherine Onyeme; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; Members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Julius Pondi, Hon. Ngozi Okolie, and Hon. Benedict Etanabene; the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Tessy Diai; as well as political leaders and traditional rulers. Among them was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olorogun O’tega Emerhor.