Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart Umo Eno have felicitated fathers for their sacrifices in keeping their families together, which have helped build a healthy subset of the larger society.
In their messages yesterday to commemorate the 2024 International Father’s Day, they charged fathers not to allow their careers to diminish their roles in the family.
At the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara prayed to God to keep, strengthen, and prosper fathers and all male heads of families so that they would continue to play the exemplary leadership roles naturally bestowed on them.
Governor Fubara said, “Fatherhood is an essential fabric of the family because of the love, strength and dedication that fathers demonstrate, which enrich their children’s lives.
“I celebrate you. I acknowledge your gallantry, sacrifices, love and care in holding the family unit together. I urge you to take great pride in seeing your children grow in wisdom and righteousness. I urge you not to relent in the positive impact you make in developing your children for the good of society,” he said.
Governor Fubara noted that fathers encounter challenges balancing their roles and responsibilities between work, career aspirations, and giving quality time to their families.
He said, “So much is expected of you, and you must continue to ensure stability, harmony, and order in society. After work, I challenge you to spend more time with your family and be committed to raising God-fearing and responsible children.”
Through his chief press secretary (CPS), Ekerete Udoh, Governor Eno thanked God “for being our ever-present Father, guiding and directing our affairs; showing us His love, grace and mercies, especially in times of need.”
He said, “Let me also thank the father of our nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his exemplary role in knitting the country together and treating everyone with love, irrespective of political affiliations.
“Even though we may be currently going through some economic challenges, the President has shown through some of the tough decisions he has undertaken to right the financial ship that he means well for the nation and that the shared prosperity will be upon the land before long.
“We owe him our continuous support in the manner that loving children would show to their fathers. Let me also thank those fathers who had toiled for the state in the past and helped lay the foundation of development that we today work hard to expand. As the heirs and heiresses of their hard work and industry, we celebrate them for their selfless service to our people.
“We salute the wonderful and resourceful fathers all over the state who have raised solid children, bracing and confronting challenges to keep the family unit intact.
“To the women who, through no fault of theirs today, are playing so wonderfully and admirably, the role of fathers, the single mothers and widows, we commend you.
“Let me end this message by quoting the Bible portion in St. Luke’s Gospel Chapter 15: 20 (King James version): “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him, had compassion, ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.”
