By Francis Ekeh

The Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara (GSSRS), has extolled the virtues of unconditional love and immeasurable sacrifice as the defining hallmarks of fatherhood and the bedrock upon which families and society are built.

In a goodwill message to commemorate the 2026 Father’s Day celebration, released by his Chief Press Secratary, Onwuka Nzeshi on Sunday, Governor Fubara paid glowing tributes to fathers for serving as the pillars that hold families together and, by extension, strengthen communities across Rivers State and Nigeria.

He noted that across the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State, fathers labour daily to provide for their families despite the economic and social challenges confronting the nation. According to him, Father’s Day is a special occasion set aside to honour the quiet love and selfless sacrifices that fathers make across generations and throughout the world.

“A father’s love is quiet strength. It is the man who leaves home before dawn and returns after dusk so his children can eat and go to school. It is the man who denies himself so his family can have. It is the firm hand that corrects and the open arms that forgive. That love is the invisible thread that holds our homes together, and that sacrifice is the foundation of our society.

“I have seen fathers labour under the sun, paddle through floods and endure hardship, all so that the next generation will have a better chance than they did. That is heroism without medals,” he said.

Governor Fubara emphasised that when fathers stand, families stand; when families stand, communities stand; and when communities stand, Rivers State stands. He stressed that responsible fatherhood produces stable homes, while responsible sons and daughters help to build peaceful neighbourhoods, harmonious communities and a prosperous state.

The Governor pledged that his administration would continue to draw inspiration from the resilience and sacrifices of fathers in building a Rivers State worthy of their commitment and labour.

He prayed that God would grant every father, grandfather, uncle, guardian and mentor good health, strength and long life to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Father’s Day, celebrated in Nigeria and many countries around the world on the third Sunday of June, highlights the invaluable contributions of fathers to the family and society at large.