The year 2024 was an eventful year-SIM

The year 2024 has been an eventful year. It wasn't an easy one, but in the end, it turned out to be a great year for us. About this time last year, we were not in a pleasant mood due to the boasts of those who believed they controlled life. Little did we know that God would turn the situation around. Midway, God began to show Himself. In fact, this morning, I took a special song in Church, as I often do when inspired. The song for this year is "When Jesus Says Yes, Nobody Can Say No." That is the truth about life. When He declares it, no matter the power anyone thinks they have on this earth, it is only His "yes" that stands. So, we will continue to put our trust in the "yes" of Jesus and God. As I said, it has been a wonderful year. We experienced both losses and gains. However, the most important thing is that our gains surpass the losses. So, we can boldly say that 2024 was a good year for this State. In 2025, with your support, we will build on the gains of last year. We will ensure we continue to protect the lives of our people and provide the required services in our State. We will not lower our guard; rather, we will upscale our tasks. What is speaking for us today is the achievements we have made in the face of distractions. That will be our way of telling the world that no matter what is happening here, we mean well for the State and know what we are doing. I know it is not going to be easy. You know, God sometimes allows evil people to live long so that their activities keep the righteous awake in prayer. If there were no evil, there would be no need for prayer and fasting. So, we will continue our prayers and fasting, knowing that when He declares our "yes," it will stand. Let me thank everyone, the big and the small, for your support last year, and also solicit more support this year. We have not made these gains alone. Whatever wins we have today are not just mine but the government's, made possible by your support. I can't repay you. You are doing what is right for your State. It is our State. At the end of the day, we are building a better future for those who will take over after us. That is my dream for the State. It is not about the power or what we do today but about sustaining a system that will run on its own, a system we can all be proud of. I strongly believe that because our desire is to build a formidable State—not our supermarket or hotels—we cannot fail. Our interest is not self-serving but focused on the collective interest of our people. As I always say, we are not bothered about what they will come up with because God will always have a way to save us from them. They will certainly come, but don't worry because we are equal to the task. Let me specifically thank our leaders here: Sir Dr. Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia, Senator Azuta Mbata, Sir Austin Okpara, Pastor Uche Secondus, Senator Lee Maeba, and Dr. Abiye Sekibo. I want to thank them. A lot of you don't understand what is happening. This is not to say we don’t have people with us, fighting alongside us, but one of their troubles is that they have no face where they are today. The beginning and end of politics in this State is Sir Dr. Peter Odili. If he is sitting with us here, along with these others, what do they have on their side? When I look at this other side, who are they? Men and women who have distinguished themselves are seated here with us. These are not contract people brought in just to eat dinner but individuals who have contributed in various ways to make Rivers State what it is. So, on this first day of the year, I want to thank all of you. Continue to support us; we appreciate what you are doing. We cannot get there alone. If we are to succeed, your support must remain unwavering. Let me assure you that this year will be one of more achievements. By the second week of February, we will embark on another round of project commissioning. This time, it will not be roads but our fire services. You can see what we are doing there. For over nine years, we had no functional fire station. Today, I can proudly say we have bought all the vehicles and are remodeling the fire stations. Let us also not pretend. Yes, there were a few things they claimed they did. The most important thing, which is education, is the only tool that can remove our youths from crime and criminality. We are behind. Our primary schools have become shadows of themselves. You can see the provisions we made in our budget. We will ensure education gets the attention it deserves this year. On health, you already know our achievements. We will not lower our standards; rather, we will spend more because you must be alive to work. Even when you overwork, you need the hospital to recover and continue. So, health is another area we are prioritizing. I assure you that we are doing what is right—decisions you can stand anywhere after our administration and defend. We will protect the integrity of this State, no matter the cost. We will not allow anyone to take this State for granted. It doesn’t matter the approach, but I will not fight. We will follow due process, just like we did the other time, and they began to beg. Imagine people who once said, "On your mandate, we stand," now admitting defeat. On behalf of my family and the State, I wish you a prosperous New Year—a year better than the one we just exited. I assure you that your welfare will remain our top priority. - Gov. Sim Fubara's speech at the 2025 New Year State Banquet Held At Government House Port Harcourt On Wednesday, 1 January, 2024.