Rivers to set up courts for only Christians

The Rivers State Government has initiated actions to establish Ecclesiastical Courts to handle Christian matters across the state.
This was announced by the state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, when he was 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, CAN.

The Christian Association of Nigeria in Rivers State installed Governor Wike as the Rivers State “Apostle of Peace ” for his commitment to peace and actions that have made the state one of the most peaceful states in the country.
Governor Wike stated that the state government had already submitted the bill for the creation of the Ecclesiastical Courts to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He noted that Ecclesiastical Courts would 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 noted that the Rivers State House of Assembly had 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 was 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.
Justifying the award of the “Apostle of Peace” to Governor Wike, an official of Rivers CAN, Rev Dan Obinna declared that the governor had transformed the state into one of the most peaceful states in the country.
He said though the governor inherited a state where insecurit 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 had 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.