Journalists in Rivers charged to remain neutral in the war of politicians to avoid the wrath about to come

Journalists in Rivers State have been charged to remain neutral and be on the side of the people to avoid the wrath that is said to be dangling on the heads of evil persons and their supporters.

The admonition came from altar on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at the Special Thanksgiving Church Service to wrap up the Correspondents’ Week of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) at the Redemption Hall Model Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.

In her sermon, Omolara Joseph, Pastor in Charge of the Living Waters Zone (under which the parish falls), predicted the fall of those making Rivers State uncomfortable for its inhabitants at a time she said the masses just wanted peace and space to pursue their endeavours.

Describing journalists as watchmen of the nation, she urged them to abide by Godly rules and have a heart of gratitude. She said they must to live a life of appreciation and thus show gratitude each day they went for any assignment and came back safely. “Know that stray bullet is possible because you are in the line of fire. Politicians target you when you don’t write their wish, but they won’t get you because you bear the mark of Christ.

“But make sure that Satan will not find anything in your hand. Stand on the side of the Lord.

With the new glory comes with favour and open doors unto you. With new glory comes consistent victory, safety, and security. Behold He that keepeth Israel will not sleep or slumber. He that dweleth in the secret place of the Most High will always protect you. The Bible says any time the King of Assyria planned against Israel, Elisha will always know. So, the King of Assyria got angry but was told that there is a prophet in Israel that exposes the Kings plans to them. So shall God reveal their plans to you. Amen.”

She prayed for Rivers State and Nigeria, saying every demonic force operating in Rivers State must be uprooted. “Every force, powers and principalities, forcing hardship on Rivers State must be silenced.”

Joseph reminded Rivers believers that all things, including the present situation, worketh for good for the children of God. Quoting Romans (8:37), she said Rivers people shall triumph because they are more than conquerors.

Speaking further on ‘New Level of Glory’, she leaned on the book of Exodus to explain that glory (Hebrew: Kabod) means the heaviness of God, saying God inhabits in the praises of His people and that God expects His servants to grow higher always. “However, our nation cannot experience this new level of glory if they continue this way”.

She went on: “We need to remove self from leadership, else things won’t work. That’s what is happening in Rivers State now. See Dubai now. Elders came together and opened their place. Dubai was built on the back of unity. Nigeria is bigger than Dubai, if only we can unite.”

To Journalists, she said: “The work you do is sensitive and dangerous. Stick to the truth and apply wisdom. You must remain impartial in your duty. The moment you carry the pen, your tribe and religion should disappear in your mind so that only what is right occupies your mind and your pen.”

The pastor, who is also a personnel expert, said: “For your safety, don’t be a hero at any time. Your family will suffer first if you fall. The same society you fought for will forget you. It’s your family that will grieve forever. Also, have Jesus in your boat at all times.”

To political leaders, she said; “If you put water in a calabash, it will be unsteady. You don’t break it but to use both hands to steady it because it supplies water. The people are like children. Their opinions are different. Don’t destroy them, but steady them. You will give account of your stewardship one day. Your children will meet your legacy. There is eternal damnation at last if you destroyed the land. If you do wickedness, your generations will meet it. Don’t destroy Nigeria because of 2027. Mind your decisions.

“We appeal for the glory of God in this state. This state has much. Nigeria is blessed. Go to other West African countries and see the difference, but we must have a rethink on how to use our abundant resources to develop the country instead of despoiling it. Let our elders allow the Spirit of God to control them.”

She further urged Journalists not to allow spirit of greed to make them to compromise because Daniel and his brothers rejected meat from the king.

“God can do more. Don’t trust the meat on the king’s table. Kings come and go. Some past governors are now in wheelchairs. Run to your God. Soon, that political leaders oppressing you will go and another will come. The Bible talks of a land that swallows it’s inhabitants. Don’t help them to make Rivers State a land that swallows its people.”

She went on: “If you don’t hear from God, you will suffer. God told me six months before NAFCON (National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria) began to owe salaries to quit. I obeyed and the place sank later.

They killed NAFCON. That’s how Nigeria kills its best companies. Journalists must not hobnob and thus compromise with evil men. Rivers State has great men but evil men are covering them.

“You must know the God whose image you want to reflect. Know Him and have a relationship with Him. He is a God of glory. Moses went to the mountain and spent time with him and his face shone brightly thereafter.

To the leaders, she said: “Let the common man breathe. Let the politicians leave us alone. We want peace. We want to be able to buy things cheap, build our small houses. We the masses must have the right to breathe, whether the oppressors like it or not. All we need to do is live a holy life. God’s glory will manifest in your life. Work in purity and holiness. Work by faith because it will unlock new realm of glory.”

In her prayers, she fell back on 2 Chronicles 7:14, saying if they people can know their God, call Him by His name, they will escape evil. She also reminded Rivers people that they can force the hand of God against their oppressors if they hold hands and pray and repent and call His name.

She said to rebuild the wall of Jericho, they were required to first repent on behalf of their sinful leaders and ask God to forgive the sins of their leaders and heal the land. She this prayed God to heal the land of Rivers State from the blood they shed, through the blood of the Lamb.”

She prayed fervently for the Correspondents for safety, prosperity, and better career ways.

Speaking to Correspondents outside the church, John Udochukwu Nwoha, President of the RHMP Men’s Fellowship, said the church was very glad to host the cream of Correspondents in Port Harcourt.

Udochukwu said: “We are very happy and privileged to have you today in our church being that one of your members is an elder in our church, and we are given this great privilege to host you. We are so happy about it.

“Since we know that in the nation you are the light of this nation by the virtue of the kind of work you do, we are very happy to associate with you, and we want you to come again whenever the occasion calls.”

In his remarks, Amaechi Okonkwo, chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, said they came to thank God for one year of safe practice and successful conduct of the Press Week.

He said they carefully screen churches before settling for any as place of thanksgiving, saying members were excited and satisfied with the worship found at the Redemption Hall Model Parish of the RCCG in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.