Gibbs |

Today, I witnessed something that was both spiritually profound and deeply inspiring. The dedication of the Hand of God Cathedral, the Five Fingers of God facility of Salvation Ministries, in Rivers State, was a remarkable demonstration of what faith, vision, perseverance and the grace of God can accomplish. My day began with the reception of His Excellency, Peter Obi, who joined us for this historic occasion. Together, we visited the facility, took in the remarkable scale of the edifice and witnessed the fulfilment of a vision that has taken years of faith, commitment and painstaking execution to bring to life. The dedication, led by Bishop David Oyedepo, was a moment of great spiritual significance, bringing together an assembly of distinguished ministers of God. I attended alongside members of my campaign leadership, my Deputy, and senior management of Platform Petroleum. Beyond the ceremony itself, it was an opportunity for us to reflect, pray and appreciate the magnitude of what had been accomplished. Peter Obi’s presence at the occasion was equally significant, in the extraordinary gathering. There are moments when the sheer scale of an accomplishment compels you to pause and think beyond what is immediately before you. Today was one of those moments. The Hand of God Cathedral is more than an architectural achievement. It is the physical expression of a vision held, nurtured and pursued over time. To see the vastness of the land, the ingenuity of the design, the meticulous thought that went into the various components of the facility and the sheer scale of its execution is to be reminded that the possibilities available to us are far greater than we sometimes imagine. It is a testament to the can-do spirit. I have always believed that one of the greatest limitations of any society is the tendency to allow the challenges of its present circumstances to define the boundaries of its future. We must learn to dream beyond our immediate realities. We must develop the courage to conceive extraordinary possibilities and the discipline, capacity and determination to bring them to fruition. Today, I saw that principle expressed in a profound way. And there is something particularly special about the fact that this magnificent facility is in Rivers State. This is our state. This is our land. This is a legacy that belongs to our environment and our collective story. The world may come here to witness it, but it is rooted in our home. Its presence is a reminder of what can be conceived, built and achieved right here in Rivers State. While today was, first and foremost, a sacred occasion, it is difficult not to appreciate the broader possibilities that accompany such an accomplishment. The movement of people, the activity around the facility and the opportunities that emerge from a project of this magnitude speak quietly to the potential of our state. Great institutions, when thoughtfully developed, can become catalysts for wider human and economic activity. But above all, I leave today with a renewed appreciation for the power of vision. Faith gives us the courage to believe. Vision gives us the direction to pursue. And the can-do spirit gives us the resolve to accomplish. My sincere congratulations to My Father, Pastor David Ibiyeomie and the entire Salvation Ministries family on this extraordinary milestone. May the Hand of God Cathedral remain a place of worship, spiritual renewal, transformation and the manifestation of God’s grace for generations to come. Today, I am reminded that we must never allow the limitations of our present to diminish the possibilities of our future. Rivers State can do more. Rivers State can achieve more. And Rivers State must believe again in the extraordinary things that are possible. May God continue to bless Rivers State and Nigeria.