An inter-denomination thanksgiving service was held Thursday to mark the 24th anniversary of the creation of Delta State with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa calling on the people to be more united and committed to the development of the state.
The inter-denominational service took place at the St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Asaba and was attended by former Military Administrator of the state, Navy Commander Walter Feghabor, former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief B. S. C. Elue, top government functionaries, political leaders, and captains of industry.
In his remarks at the church service, Governor Okowa observed that the people deserves to celebrate 24 years of oneness, peaceful co-existence and progress, observing that there was the need for the people to engage more on actions that will strengthen the unity of the people of the state.
“This is the time to build peace in our state, it is time for us to be more united for the common good of all Deltans,” the Governor said, assuring that his government was open to constructive criticism, suggestions on the way forward in the interest of the state.
He emphasised that the fear of God by the people would bring about speedy development and unity asserting, “wherever you find yourself, fear God, keep his commandments and you will excel, if l and all office holders fear God, nobody need to tell you to be dedicated, you don’t need to be fraudulent, you don’t need to condone ghost workers,”
“Times are hard but if we fear God, we will be able to manage our lean resources for the development of our states and of our people,” he reiterated.
The Governor disclosed that the dwindling revenue from oil resources have thrown up a new challenge for government in the country on the need to diversify the economy.
According to him, “the Lord is teaching us a lesson that we cannot depend on oil alone for revenue, we are developing other resources of the state, we have inaugurated the youth empowerment programme at Songhai-Delta, Amukpe and I want to assure you that the Songhai-Delta cannot be idle throughout my tenure and the graduates from the empowerment programmes will become entrepreneurs and employers of labour because the youths need to be re-directed to become employers of labour.”
While stating that it was important for Deltans to celebrate their oneness as a people, the Governor called on the people not to relent in partnering with his administration in delivering the needed democratic dividends, reiterating, “l have always asked God to help me take decisions for the greater good of the state, because every decision you take some people will be happy others will be sad but l believe that our decisions will always serve the general interest of the people.”
Earlier in a sermon at the service which was presided by Bishop Justus Mogekwu of the Anglican Communion, Rev. Gideon Oyibo, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Delta State said that the fear of God should be the bedrock of everybody in position of leadership so that the prosperity for all Deltans initiative can be achieved.
He stated, “the fear of God will make us always remember the consequences of God’s judgement, in all our dealings we will be more dedicated and honest with our fellow men and the state and of course, the revenue and resources of the state will improve and attract quality execution and costing of projects.”
