Rivers State Government just recently concluded the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Rivers State. Rivers State is one of the oldest states in Nigeria, created on the 27th of May 1967. The celebration was packed with different activities, which displayed Rivers State culture, sportsmanship, achievements and an awards night for those who have in one way or the other contributed to the growth of the State.
Apostle G. D. Numbere of blessed memory, was a beneficiary of this noble celebration. He was awarded posthumous State Honours by His Excellency, Nyesom E. Wike (Executive Governor of Rivers State), as the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS). This award was conferred on him in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the development and spread of the Christian Faith in Rivers State and the Nation.
Pastor Dr. Nonyem Numbere, wife of Apostle G. D. Numbere, his first son, Dr. Wari Numbere and elder brother, Elder Humphrey Numbere, were present to receive the award.
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The Man: APOSTLE GEOFFREY DABIBI NUMBERE
Date of Birth: March 3, 1944
Place of Birth: Buguma, Rivers State
Parents Name: Pa Numbere Bobonari Abbi Princewill Amachreee (Father), Nnenta Numbere (Mother)
Educational background: St’ Michael’s Primary School, Buguma; Government College Umuahia; University of Ife (Ibadan Campus) now Obafemi Awolowo University
Ministerial Calling
Apostle Numbere was born again on 11th May 1967. Founding Father, Greater Evangelism World Crusade, September 9th, 1969, he was called of God and commissioned an Apostle by Him, abandoned all to answer the call and for 45 years (1969 – 2014) took the gospel to many countries of Africa, USA and the far East. He was the pioneer of indigenous Pentecostal evangelism in the North and in the old Rivers State (now Rivers and Bayelsa States of Nigeria).
Amidst much opposition and persecution, many hardships and trials, he took the gospel to the downtrodden, under-privileged, forgotten and sometimes very remote dangerous communities of the numerous islands and villages of Rivers and Bayelsa States.
For over forty years he travelled worldwide sharing his vision with those who dared to catch it and run with it and spreading the gospel to USA, Europe and other Africa countries such as Sierra Leone, Benin Republic, Central Africa Republic, Cameroon, Rwanda, Burundi and Liberia. A Bible teacher and extraordinary preacher, he affected many lives through his books, newspaper articles etc. He was also one of the founding fathers of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rivers State and South-South Nigeria.
Recognitions, Awards and Appointments
Apostle Numbere, served his State (Rivers State) and Country (Nigeria) in various capacities some of which are:
- Secretary – “INIKIO”, the association of Rivers State Students in 1961. “INIKIO” was the acronym for Ijaw-Nembe-Igbani-Kalabari-Inkontoru-Okrika students and served as a pressure group to agitate for the creation of Rivers State even before the Nigerian Independence.
- Dedication of Rivers State to God, 1992. At the 25th Anniversary of Rivers State which held from 24th to 31st May 1992, Apostle Numbere was given the honour and privilege to be the vessel of God to dedicate the entire State to God. In commemoration of the event, Chief Ada George placed a sculpture of the map of Rivers State with a plaque on which was written, “In Dedication to God and to the nation” and a second sculpture of a pair of hands at the top of point block, the highest building in the State.
- Chairman, Abua Peace And Reconciliation Committee, 2003. This committee brokered peace between two warring communities in Abua, Ogbema and Amalem and a peace accord signed on 26th January 2004.
- Member, Eminent Persons Commission as an aftermath of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election Crisis - October 1993.
- Trustee, Board of Directors of the Nigerian Institute for Christian Studies (IICS) 1991
- Member, Governing Council of Rivers State College of Education 1992
- Member, Rivers State Government Committee on Moral and Religious Institution 1992
- Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers State, 1986 – 1996; 2000 – 2007
- Pioneer Chairman, South-South Zone, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), 2006 – 2012
- Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rivers State, 2007 - 2010
- Secretary General, Africa Hour World Evangelism (AHWE) Award by the American Biographical Institute, Inc, as One of 5,000 World Personalities. 1988
- Member of BOT, Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, 2013
