By Joshua Erubami
Former Delta State Governor, Chief
James Ibori yesterday disclosed that he never for once doubted his prospect of
returning to Nigeria and reuniting with his friends, political associates and
kinsmen in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
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| Chief Ibori speaking at the First Baptist Church Service, Oghara. |
The former governor spoke in Oghara
during a thanksgiving service organized by the leadership of the Community. The
church service held at the First Baptist Church, Ogharefe and was widely
attended by thousands of supporters, including Ibori's elder cousin and
successor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Ibori's deputy, Chief Benjamin Elue, former
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Steve Oru, Managing Director of Delta
State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief William
Makinde, traditional rulers, serving and former commissioners, political
stalwarts, captains of industries and artisans.
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| Ibori, his daughters and family members at the church service. |
Ibori who spoke in English and Urhobo
languages revealed that the reality of his seven years absence from the country
was not as painful as the suffering and pains which his people where subjected
to within the period of his absence.
His words: "My entire life is a
testimony; I have said it over and again that my life was fashioned by God,
directed by God, sealed, acknowledged and blessed by God. I have always
believed that since I was born and I am living in accordance with destiny.
"When the whole commotion started, what was most painful to me was the pains and sufferings that my people were going through. It had nothing to do with me as a person because for some reasons, I drew my strength from God and, some how, I knew God will stand by me.
"When the whole commotion started, what was most painful to me was the pains and sufferings that my people were going through. It had nothing to do with me as a person because for some reasons, I drew my strength from God and, some how, I knew God will stand by me.
"I knew that one day, this day
(of celebration) will come. I am indeed very pleased that I can now stand
before you and look at your faces, especially the faces of those I have missed
and those who suffered the pains of my absence.
"When I reflect (on the past),
it gives me joy that all your prayers have been answered by God; all your
support and solidarity with me all through this period are
"ungbikuable" (untellable).
"The only testimony I have is
the fact that I am alive, well and in your midst. I never had any doubt whatsoever
in mind that I will get back home".
On his guilty plea about seven years
ago, Ibori maintained that his analysis of the situation showed that his life
was at stake and the enemies were bent on taking him from his people, hence he
accepted his alleged offences as a "pragmatic decision" to thwart the
plans of his foes.
He narrated how he had preinformed
Uduaghan of his intention of going for the guilty plea which, he said, was
"the shortest route back to my people", insisting that he was
not guilty as alleged.
Ibori who was in a very high ecstacy
led the congregation in songs of victory just as special prayers where offered
for him and his family members, Oghara Community, Ethiope West, Delta State and
Nigeria.
Earlier in a homily titled "Knowing the Gift of
God", the South-South Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN), Archbishop Goddowell Awomakpa said Ibori served as a bridge that united
the church with the government of the state, urging politicians to be more
concerned with the welfare of the masses than their personal gratification.
From left. Chief
Jame S Ibori; Senami; Hon. Erhiateake Ibori and Mrs Christania Ibori-Ebie
Awomakpa also enjoined political
leaders to shun hatred for one another, charging them to embrace humility and
respect for the electorate during and after their tenure in offices.
Meanwhile, prominent kinsmen of Ibori
yesterday continued to eulogize the former governor, describing him as people
oriented and generally acceptable to Nigerians.
Former Commissioner for power and
energy and Chairman of the Ibori's thanksgiving central planning committee,
Chief Emmanuel Ighomena expressed utmost gratitude to God for keeping Ibori
alive despite the desire of persecutors to get him "dead or alive".
In an interaction with newsmen,
Ighomena attributed the jubilations that greeted Ibori's return to his
continuous struggle for the emancipation of the Niger Delta region, noting that
Ibori never fought a personal cause but advanced the true yearnings of
Nigerians.
On his part, a former Commissioner
representing Ethiope West, Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas on the board
of DESOPADEC, Chief Henry Ofa urged everyone "to accord Chief Ibori the
greatest respect that he deserves and tell others to do same", adding that
"We must heed his fatherly advice and show him all the needed love".
"As we all rise in unity to
reaffirm our undying loyalty to this great leader, we must understand that each
of us has a stake in the issue at hand; we have a role to play and we have an
all important task to perform.
"Now, more than ever, has the
rolling ball been placed on our courts; it is either we score the goal and
continue in our unabating joy or stand the risk of missing the reward forever.
A fact worth knowing is that history beckons on you", Ofa stated in a
goodwill message obtained by our correspondent.
On her part, a lecturer at the Delta
State University, Abraka, Dr. (Mrs) Elizabeth Ogini observed that the time for
a genuine reconciliation between Ibori and all aggrieved interests has come,
noting that there is no gain in bickering.
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Source: Joshua Erubami’s blog
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