By Emeka Amaefula
OVER 1000 RIVERS WOMEN CONVERGE, PRAY, FAST FOR PEACE IN RIVERS STATE
—-EULOGIZES MRS. SOTONYE TOBY-FULTON, FOUNDER RIVERS WOMEN UNITE FOR SIM FOR HER SUPPORT OF GOV. SIMINALAYI’S ADMINISTRATION
The all women groups from the 23 Local Government Areas in Rivers state with most interfaith religious groups all gathered at the Multi-purpose Hall of Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex on Thursday 26th of September, 2024 as they concluded several weeks of prayer, fasting and reflections on how best peace and tranquility should return to Rivers state. The programme which was tagged RIVERS WOMEN CONVERGE 2024 with the theme :”Possessing The Land Through Prayer and Praise” truly was a successful one as it attracted highly placed dignitaries who all dressed up in white clothes praising God in songs and supplications unto God for restoration of the fragile peace which was occasioned by political quagmire between the incumbent governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor now Minister of FCT Abuja, Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike.
The Multi-purpose Hall was filled to its over five thousand (5,000) sitting capacity with the Overflow arena also filled with different groups of women who sang and praised God. The Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu was present as she extolled Chief Mrs. Sotonye Toby-Fulton, the convener and organizer of the programme. The Wife of the Governor Her Excellency Lady Valerie Fubara was among the dignitaries that graced the occasion. Her speech raised the bar as she said “I don’t have much to say rather than that I am excited whenever I come into the presence of the Lord. I am so happy. I am so glad, and I always dance. I love praising God. I cannot come here without dancing because I am in the presence of the Lord.” She was full of praise and was delighted for the untiring efforts of the convener, Chief (Mrs.) Sotonye Toby-Fulton for gathering Rivers state Women together. “Let me specially thank the convener of this programme my sister, I call her my sister because she is a beloved for bringing women from Rivers state together from the 23 Local Government Areas to praise God.
“Please my women, I want to plead with each and everyone of us, we will not stop praying we will continue to pray, prayer make things better and faster. She reiterated that for the 5th October, 2024 Local Government Councils election that she is not worried because God is already taking control “God is already working behind the scenes. October 5th is the evidence that God is in charge. For me as a person, I am not moved. I don’t work by sight. I work by faith and my faith has never failed me. God never fails,” she said. In the same vain, she urged women in the state to continue to to pray for peace, stability and progress of the state as they also put the Government and its policies and programmes before God for guidance and direction.
In the commencement of the activities Dr. Vetty Agala, Executive Secretary of Rivers state Contributory Health Protection programme Richard Okoye the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Save-A-Life Hospital Ltd Port Harcourt delivered health awareness related talks on the need for Health Solutions to Medical challenges. As Dr. Richard Okoye spoke extensively on Blood Pressure and the need for women to always relax and take life easy as they take away their minds from matters that will put them at risk of cardiac arrest. He informed the audience about how best women should understand the anatomy and physiological make-up of their husbands and they should consider leaving every challenge to God. His invention in a medical device for monitoring Blood Pressure which is being produced in his Medical equipment Laboratory in China will be utilized as he is the first proponent of a digitalized Medical Clinic in Rivers state. He currently owns SAVE A-Life Solution Radio 89.9 FM station Port Harcourt Rivers state and author of 24 Medical Books. The Rivers state Commissioner for Information and Communication Warisenibo Joe Johnson was present at the occasion.
Former Commissioner Mrs. Nancy Nwankwo said the opening prayer with the presence of Queen Prudence Dandeson Jaja wife of Amanyanabo of Opobo. Other high profile dignitaries present at the event included Environmental Activist Ann Kio Briggs, Mrs. Uloma Saya-Braide, King Ugochukwu Nduwuisi, Reverend Salvation Oziri, High Chief Dr. (Mrs.)Nice Aleruchi Toboulefa Alamieyeseigha and several others.
In a media statement from the event ” the occasion was used to mark seven years of physical prayer and four years of daily online prayer Network which eventually metamorphosed into Rivers women unite for Sim, a group that has been successfully inaugurated simultaneously across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.”
Gospel songs of praise were rendered by Preye Odede whose electrifying religious tunes sent all standing and dancing most of who were spiritually filled in the Hall. Lady IB and her group performed creditably praising God in songs. Peter StoneCold was on his feet singing Gospel freestyle songs. Ipiriye Brown and ONELGA Chioma also sang spirit filled Christian songs.
There was the cutting of cakes. First it was the 7th year Prayer anniversary cake which was jointly cut by the dignitaries. As there was presence of the administrators of Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Center all the offerings given at the venue and several other prayer and Fasting services across the 23 Local Government Areas as a charity were offered to the Port Harcourt Correctional Center for the well-being of the Prison inmates.
The programme got to its climax with the call for prayer points which Evangelist Rachael Minimah led with prayers for the governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his administration and prayers for the people of Rivers state . It also witnessed exhibition of various Food crops from the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers state including Sea Foods comprising of dried Fish, Crayfish, fresh Fish, Periwinkle, Oysters, Garri, Plantain and Vegetables. The sideline Free Medical outreach exhibited by Save-A-Life Foundation Hospital Ltd, Port Harcourt catered for emergency examination and treatment of women and others. some traditional musical group participated at the event too.
Rivers women converge 2024 has become the first edition of gathering Rivers women together for the first time in the history of the state with the resultant effects of ushering in unity and strength of women in shaping up the future of the state with spirit filled empowerment and solidarity seeking for a better Rivers state.
———————————Emeka Amaefula——-+234(0)8111813069—–
