By Paul Williams (with additional from Ikechi Akpuh)
In an era when ‘betrayal’ has become popular lexicon in Nigeria’s political space, former Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has described factional leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Emeka Beke, as a reliable and steadfast leader.
Amaechi, while speaking at Beke’s 60 birthday celebrations, held in Port Harcourt on Sunday September 14, 2025, said some Nigerian politicians have adopted the “stomach ideaology,” preferring to jump to where they can fill their pockets.
Emeka Beke, however, he said, had decided to be steadfast, lead with honesty and faith in God.
The former governor, also former minister for Transportation, described Emeke Beke as a very reliable and committed friend and politician who cannot be easily deceived because of money, while thanking him for remaining steadfast.
Amaechi’s accolades We’re part of a celebration of a life of achievement that witnessed the presence of who is who in Rivers State.
The attendance list included former Rivers State First Lady, Judith Amaechi; Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku; former Managing Director of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside; Sylvia Cole, wife of Engr Tonye Cole, former Rivers APC gubernatorial candidate; former and current members of the Imo and Rivers State House of Assembly, political leaders and others.
Chief Emeka Beke, in response, said that his life is a product of God’s grace and a symbol of divine mercy, adding that the historical perspective of his life is linked to God’s divine enablement.
“I am a living testimony that God can choose who he desire to lift up, without taking permission from anyone. Those who know me can understand that I have dedicated my life to the service of God and my love for God is priceless,” he said.
The celebrations included a Thanksgiving service at the Salvation Ministries global headquarters in Rivers State.
Pst. David Ibiyeomie of the Salvation Ministries, in his sermon, titled: ‘Divine Strategies for Success,’ reading from Proverbs 6 Vs 6, stressed that ants gather their food during summer because they plan for the future.
They move together (team work), they don’t work for competition but complement one another, he said.
Ibiyeomie pointed out that team work makes the vision work, adding that most people have good vision but don’t know how to embrace team work and that even Jesus sent his disciples to preach two by two and never sent them one by one.
He emphasized that team work will make one go far and gives room for global impact.
Ibiyeomie further noted that patience and faith work together, as faith helps you to believe while patience help you to wait.
