Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has said Nigeria’s progress depends largely on leaders who possess the fear of God, stressing that genuine development can only thrive when those in positions of authority are guided by strong moral values.
Fubara made the remarks on Thursday while receiving the World President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler, alongside his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler, their daughter, Mariana Marques Kohler, and other senior church officials at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The governor commended the Seventh-day Adventist Church for its long-standing contributions to education and leadership development, noting that the denomination has consistently invested in educational institutions across different levels and currently operates two universities in Nigeria.
He observed that the church has continued to use education not only as a platform for evangelism but also as a means of producing responsible and visionary leaders for society.
Fubara maintained that religion should extend beyond defending beliefs and instead focus on transforming society through practical contributions that improve lives.
According to him, the church’s commitment to education reflects its dedication to helping Nigeria produce educated, disciplined and God-fearing leaders capable of steering the nation in the right direction.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God.
“But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line, and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people in the right place, prepared properly with good minds. That is what we need, not just in Nigeria but around the whole world,” he said.
The governor argued that the absence of God-conscious individuals in leadership positions has contributed significantly to corruption, inequality, poverty and the rise in criminal activities across the country.
He stressed that creating opportunities for quality education and decent living conditions would help reduce crime and promote social stability.
Fubara explained that when workers earn wages capable of providing access to healthcare, housing and a decent standard of living, the temptation to engage in criminal activities would be greatly reduced.
“If we have a situation where the little money you’re paid as wages can also afford you quality healthcare and after working for at least 15 to 20 years you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secure, and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to many of the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
The governor thanked the church delegation for visiting Rivers State and appreciated their prayers for the state and its people.
He assured the visitors of his administration’s continued support for the activities and programmes of the Seventh-day Adventist Church within the state.
Earlier, the World President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler, explained that his visit to Nigeria was to participate in a major church conference designed to strengthen the capacity of thousands of ministers.
He said the programme would equip church leaders with additional skills to better serve both their congregations and society.
Kohler expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for the warm reception extended to the delegation, describing the visit as memorable.
He disclosed that the Seventh-day Adventist Church currently has more than 24 million members and over 182,000 places of worship spread across 212 countries worldwide, making it one of the largest Christian denominations globally.
