Rivers State Government to establish Ecclesiastical Courts to handle purely Christian Matters

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has announced that the State Government will establish Ecclesiastical Courts to handle Christian matters across the state.

This is as the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Rivers State performed the investiture of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as the Rivers State “Apostle of Peace ” for his commitment to peace and actions that have made Rivers State one of the most peaceful states in the country.

Addressing Christians at the Civic Centre, Port Harcourt on Saturday after his investiture as the “Apostle of Peace ” during the Rivers State Peace Campaign organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria, Governor Wike informed that the State Government has already submitted the bill for the creation of the Ecclesiastical Courts to the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He noted that Ecclesiastical Courts will work alongside the Customary Courts to tackle issues directly affecting Christians in their daily lives.

The governor said: “Other states have courts that handle their different religious issues. I want to reiterate that Rivers State is purely a Christian State. Therefore, issues that affect Christians must be tackled in legal ways that promote peace”.

He informed that the Rivers State House of Assembly has amended the relevant law that permits the State Government to give grants to churches to improve the facilities in their schools.

Rivers State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Rev Isaac Anyanasikike said that the State Peace Campaign is aimed at consolidating the gains of peace in the state.

He lauded Governor Wike for building peace across the state through his successful implementation of the State Amnesty Programme and his support for the security agencies.

Explaining the reason behind the award of the “Apostle of Peace ” to Governor Wike, an official of Rivers CAN, Rev Dan Obinna declared that Governor Wike has transformed the state into one of the most peaceful states in the country.

He said though the governor inherited a state where insecurity reigned because the immediate past administration closed the courts for two years, incapacitated the Rivers State House of Assembly and destroyed the traditional rulers council.

He said immediately Governor Wike took over he reinstated the institutions of Government and started the process of empowerment which has improved peace in the state.

Highpoint of the event was the conferment on Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the award of the “Apostle of Peace ” by the State Chairman of CAN, Most Rev Isaac Anyanasikike supported by the Methodist Archbishop of Bishop, Most Rev Sunday Agwu, Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Most Rev Innocent Ordu and Pastor Ene Secondus.

Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.
11th February, 2017.