.Tasks monarchs on inter-communal crises
By Oye Chukwujekwu
AS Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Christians to use the season to show love and reconcile with God,
Okowa gave the advice at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Unity Model Parish, Asaba during the 2nd Delta State Inter-Denominational Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols organized by the Delta Broadcasting Service in conjunction with the Office of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Religious Matters.
According to Okowa, “Christmas is a time to seek peace with the Lord and peace for ourselves. It is a time to love each other. It is when we partner together as Deltans and Christians; we can make progress in life,” stressing, “there is a reason for this season and that reason is that we reconcile ourselves with God.”
The governor read the first lesson titled, “The Fall of Man” and taken from the Book of Gen. 3:1-7, while the State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro, took the third lesson at the occasion which was attended by the Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Friday Osanebi, top government functionaries, traditional rulers, clerics including Bishop Justus Mogekwu, Bishop of Anglican Communion, Asaba Diocese and other Deltans.
The Guest Speaker and Dean of the Anglican Diocese of Ika, Ven. Onyekachukwu Okoh, in a sermon with the Theme: “Jesus is the answer,” called on Christians to dedicate their lives to God, noting, “Christ has the solution to all the problems plaguing mankind including recession, terrorism, hunger, sickness and diseases.
In his address, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said that the Festival of Nine lessons and Carols was organized to commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and assured that next year’s festival would be an open air service which will take place at the Cenotaph, Asaba.
Also, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of DBS, Asaba, Mr. Michael Ifeanyi Osuoza, thanked Governor Okowa for instituting the programme and commended those who contributed towards the success of the carol.
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged traditional rulers in the state to ensure that their subjects were not involved in any action capable of causing inter-communal crisis.
The governor, who described the killing or beheading of individuals as barbaric and not in tune with what is happening in the 21st century, observed that such barbaric acts were capable of igniting retaliatory attacks capable of leading to inter-communal crisis.
While assuring of his administration’s commitment for dialogue to be harnessed as the best form of resolving disputes, Okowa stated that peaceful communities would translate to a peaceful state.
The governor spoke at a thanksgiving service held at the Church of God Mission, Olu Palace, Warri as part of activities lined up for the celebration of the 1st coronation anniversary of His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olu of Warri.
Okowa, who stormed the Olu Palace accompanied by retinue of political office holders said, “We are in a very serious situation, things that happened when people never knew God are happening now.
“You must forgive who you think must have wronged you. A heart which is forgiving always lives in peace.” Okowa added that giving thanks to God was very vital but the greatest of all thanksgiving is, “giving a reconciled heart to God because, whatever you have given in thanksgiving is nothing if you don’t have a forgiving heart.”
He congratulated the Olu of Warri on his one year anniversary and called for prayers for the country, the state, local government and different kingdoms in the state.
“Your Majesty (Olu of Warri), I congratulate you and thank you for giving your heart to God and we believe your reign will be peaceful. If we have peaceful kingdoms, there will be peace in Delta State,” he said.
In a sermon, Bishop Mike Laju urged people to live a life of thanksgiving, a life of giving, stating, “What makes a man great is not what he has but, what he has done with what God has blessed him with; what will God remember you for?”