Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged aspiring successors to seek God and his guidance and approval.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!He says only a person of faith can take over the leadership of the state.
Governor Diri made the call on Monday during the state’s 15th Annual Thanksgiving Service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa.
The governor maintained that no human being could frustrate anyone whom God had chosen to occupy the state’s highest political office.
He noted that Bayelsa had been committed into God’s hands, stressing that the Almighty would always have the final say in the affairs of the state.
Governor Diri also called on the people to sustain the prevailing atmosphere of unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, describing these values as essential ingredients for the state’s continued development.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positively impacting the lives of the people, adding that his government possessed the political will to transform Bayelsa, which he described as one of the states with the best natural environments for development.
The governor equally expressed appreciation to the people for their support and for standing by his administration over the past six years.
His words:
All who want to be governor, seek the face of God. Additionally, anyone who wants to be governor must be devout. If yes, nobody can say no, not even me.
“Let us continue to worship God. Let us be tolerant and patient, as we will become victorious at the end of the day.
“The Bible itself recognizes that it is good to give thanks to the Lord. Today, we came to say, ‘Thank You, Father.’
“As I keep saying, those of us who were born in Yenagoa or knew Bayelsa of old can see the difference today. It is enough to give thanks.
“We have one of the best environments in Nigeria, and with the political will we are bringing, we are driving development for our people.
Dear people of Bayelsa, I thank you also for your support and for standing by this government, God.
Christians Urged to Be Good Citizens
In a sermon titled “Called to Be Good Christians and Good Citizens,” the guest preacher and former Bayelsa State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Very Rev. Joseph Opelema, reminded Christians of their dual responsibilities as members of the Church and citizens of society.
Drawing his message from Matthew 22:15–22, which recounts the attempt by the Pharisees to trap Jesus with a question about the payment of taxes, the cleric explained that Christ’s response, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God,” underscored the responsibility of believers to be good citizens.
According to him, the biblical passage, which he observed had often been misinterpreted, emphasized the need for Christians to demonstrate the virtues of sacrifice, prudence, accountability, justice, love, care and charity wherever they found themselves, particularly in positions of public responsibility.
Rev. Opelema lamented that although the number of worshipers in society was increasing, only a few genuinely practiced the Christian faith in their daily lives.
He stressed that Jesus called believers to be His witnesses, the salt of the earth and the light of the world, urging Christians to use every position of influence or public office in Bayelsa State and Nigeria to serve humanity and demonstrate the teachings of Christ.
The cleric also described Bayelsa as a state richly endowed with natural and human resources, favorable weather conditions, land and waterways, which could make it a leading tourism destination in Nigeria.
He expressed optimism that with God-fearing leadership, the state could achieve its enormous development potential within a short period.
Book Unveiling, Gospel Ministration Highlight Service
Highlights of the thanksgiving service included the unveiling of a book titled Lively Oracle, containing scriptural declarations made by Governor Diri during his morning devotional sessions, as well as musical ministrations by various gospel artistes.
Dignitaries at the event included the governor’s wives, Dr. Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Diri; Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and his wife, Dr. Favour Akpe; and former deputy governors of the state, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (retired.).
Also in attendance were the senators representing Bayelsa Central and East Senatorial Districts, Dr. Konbowei Benson and Chief Benson Agadaga, respectively.
Members of the House of Representatives included the Minority Leader, Chief Fred Agbedi, representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency; Mitema Obordor (Ogbia); Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma); and Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw).
The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Michael Ogbere.
Others included the Chief Judge of the state, represented by the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo; Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; Chairman of Azikel Group, Dr. Azipapu Eruani; and former governorship candidate of the state, Chief David Lyon.
Also present were captains of industry, senior military officers, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and a large number of Bayelsa residents and other invited guests.
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