Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said the state government will set up a Trust Fund which will cater to the needs of indigent clerics and some members of the laity.
The governor explained that the fund will be a revolving scheme, to be managed by the leaders of the Christian community in order for it to be self-sustaining over the years.
Speaking when he granted audience to the pentecostal leaders of International Church Impact Communion (ICICI) at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, the governor noted poor clerics will be the main beneficiaries of the fund.
“We have resolved to set up a trust fund for Christians in the state. This fund will cater mainly for clerics, especially those who are distressed, but lack resources to cater for their needs.
“Since Rivers is purely a Christian state, we must show we are, truly, a Christian state. The Ecumenical Centre we are building will be commissioned in May. The Government House chapel has also been completed.”
He said the government has been sustained in the last two years by the prayers of the Christian community.
“We are here because of the prayers of Christians and the Grace of God. The relative peace we enjoy is because the church has consistently prayed for us,” he said.
Leader of ICICI, Archbishop John Praise, said the church is happy with the achievements of Governor Wike and his commitment to the welfare of Christians.
He commended the governor for investing to positively affect generations to come. Praise said no level of attacks on Governor Wike will cut short his administration.
He said: “Governor Wike is working to please God and not to please any man. Everything happening in the state is amazing.”
Presiding Pastor of the Royal House of Grace, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, said the pentecostal leaders were happy to learn of the performance of the governor in different areas.
The Pentecostal leaders who are in Rivers State for a special prayer session for the state, offered prayers for the administration of Governor Wike and Rivers State.
The governor later took the leaders of the ICIC on inspection of projects at the Government House and the Ecumenical Centre.