Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Sunday dismissed the little-spread rumour of his death, saying he indeed had health challenges which has been addressed. He took a swipe at those who wished him dead, stressing that those who are ill deserve to be prayed for, not wished dead.
He said this Sunday in Warri when he led top members of his administration in thanksgiving to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day in an inter-denominational Christian thanksgiving service held at the Flock of Christ Mission church, Effurun, near Warri,.
Uduaghan said: “As Deltans, let us do away with hatred, we should shun ethnic hatred; hatred will lead us to nowhere but destruction. There is too much hatred for one another in the state and too much rumour mongering. Rumour came recently that I have passed away and many people were happy about the news. I can be ill because I am human being. I actually had a health challenge about two weeks ago; but I am alright now.
“When I had the
health challenge, I noticed a weakness on one side of the face, I still attended the EXCO meeting though some of my aides were concerned. Eventually, I flew to Abuja the third day and spent three days in there where I was examined at the National Hospital.
“People were spreading rumour that I was dead, and they were ready to buy a casket for my burial. Maybe they will keep their casket, God says I still have many years to live on earth. But you can see I have conquered the fear of death. ‘I no dey fear death, if you dey plan death for me....’ he added in pidgin English.
“There is so much rumour in our state, and it is unfair to spread all types of rumour. If people are ill, we should pray for their recovery and not to wish them dead, if we do not want to incur the wrath of Almighty God. We must stop spreading dangerous rumours; they are destructive rumours, they do not build the society, they destroy society and that is why I am urging all Deltans on the need to live in unity. Deltans should help my administration to finish strong. Pray for us to succeed; pray for President Goodluck Jonathan because so many people are already overheating the polity two years to 2015 election; and, pray for Nigeria our country,” he said.
Uduaghan who also spoke on the security situation in the country charged traditional rulers on the need for vigilance especially in the light of the Boko Haram insurgency that has compounded the security situation in the country.
We are all potential victims of Boko Haram” the governor said, adding: “Therefore, traditional rulers must report unusual movements in their domain, because a lot of things are happening in our society today and we must all be vigilant.”
He expressed concern on the state of the polity, observing that the tension generated by the politics of 2015 is getting to a feverish pitch.
“Two years away from 2015, the system is already being over-heated. So, let us pray for our president.” he said.
He then sued for unity among the people in the state at both the ethnic and individual levels.
Uduaghan who also spoke on security in the state expressed satisfaction that the menace is being tackled effectively, especially as the judiciary has helped in the prosecution of the war against kidnappers. He explained that the security of lives and property was a paramount aspect of the functions of government, stressing that, “I should say security is the most important function coming before the provision of roads and others, because it is clearly stipulated in the constitution.”
The governor noted that due to the remarkable support of the judiciary, more kidnappers had in the last couple of years been jailed in the state than any other state in Nigeria, urging the people to have more faith in government and government functionaries.
“I must thank the judiciary for their remarkable support and cooperation towards tackling the security situation in the state, especially ransom kidnapping.
“Let me tell you this, in the last couple of years more kidnappers have been prosecuted and jailed in Delta State than any other state in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, more kidnappers have been jailed in the state than all the other states of the federation put together. And, you will agree with me this would have been impossible without the support of the judiciary. The judiciary believes it is a war that everybody must fight; and, by God’s grace we will overcome, we will win the war.”
Aside security, the governor said that his government was determined, and presently working hard to ensure that the remaining two years would be used to make remarkable impression in the area of Education, Health, Roads and Transportation and provision of social amenities.
“Today, we are determined to finish strong” Dr Uduaghan said, noting that, “We are finishing strong in the area of education, road, security, health, infrastructure and human capital development..... But I admit it, we are not finishing strong in the area of agriculture, but we will endeavour to do so in the few months ahead.”
Uduaghan took the first Bible reading, taken from Zechariah 4:1-14;& while his deputy, Prof Amos Utuama (SAN) took the second from Romans 12: 1-11.
He thanked the host, Bishop Simeon Okah of the Flock of Christ Mission, whom he noted has always supported his government with other clergymen, traditional rulers, national and state legislators.
Among dignitaries at the inter-denominational thanksgiving ceremony were the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Victor Ochei, the state chief judge, Justice Zaire-Laye Abiodun Smith, Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, Delta State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Gideon Oyibo as well as Delta State Information Commissioner and Chairman of Democracy Day Committee, Chike Ogeah, traditional rulers including Ovie of Uvwie kingdom, Emmanuel Abe I and the Ovie of Olomu, Ogbon I of Olomu Kingdom.
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