By Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has appealed to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to take a frontline role in promoting peace, unity, and reconciliation across the state amid ongoing political unrest.
During a meeting with CAN leaders at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Ibas underscored the importance of the Church’s leadership in moral and social guidance. “The unity of the Church is the seedbed for the unity of the State,” he said. “Where the Church leads in love, the people will follow in peace.”
The administrator assured religious leaders that his government remains accessible and people-focused, with a strong commitment to justice, fairness, and inclusion. He stressed that lasting peace in Rivers requires collective engagement through dialogue and understanding.
Ibas called on the Church to remain firm in faith, active in prayer, and bold in speaking the truth, especially during these trying times. He expressed optimism that with divine support and the Church’s collaboration, Rivers would come out of the crisis stronger and more united.
Responding on behalf of CAN, Most Reverend D.E. Kala-Dukubo welcomed the engagement and appealed to the administrator to actively involve the Church in the peace-building process. He emphasized that the group could serve as a vital bridge in community reconciliation.
CAN also urged the government not to neglect key sectors, particularly environmental sanitation, during the emergency rule. The group raised concerns over the spread of misinformation and called on the administration to prioritize transparency and effective communication.
