Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left); Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, Deputy Governor (left); Most Rev. Margraret Benson Idahosa (2nd right) and Bishop Udume Festus, during a courtesy call on the Governor by general Over seal Church of God Mission
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has urged religious organisations to play critical roles in helping the country tackle the problems of insurgency and economic challenges.
Speaking when the Archbishop of Church of God Mission International Incorporated, Most Revd. Margaret Idahosa led a delegates of Bishops of the church on a courtesy visit recently in Asaba, Senator Okowa said that the church need to pray for the nation so that it could come out of twin problems of insurgency and economic downturn so that peace and development could take place.
“WE understand that the church has a role to play in our nation today, we are in very trying times because of the insurgency and economic challenges, we need to pray for our nation and state, we believe it is time we turn to God, embrace the scripture to ensure that we get out of where we are “, Governor Okowa said.
He urged religious leaders to do more to impact on the lives of the people through assistance and micro credit schemes rather than just preach righteousness and holiness.
According to him “I want to appeal to the church, there is a lot to be done by the church, we believe that the church is doing a good job preaching righteousness and holiness, and we pray that they continue to do this good job but the church also need to continue to help to aggregate our people particularly the youths in such a way, particularly in this difficult times, to form them into groups and see what the church can truly do to impact on them, not only by preaching the gospel but also find ways to touch the lives of the very poor within the church”
“I know that a lot of churches are doing this but I will continue to reemphasise it because the more they get to see the love coming from the pulpit, coming from the leadership of the church, the more they are actually in the position to embrace Christ, To this extent I believe that there is a lot to be done”, the governor added.
While commending the church for the role it played during the 2015 General Elections, Senator Okowa charged them to continue to communicate to the populace spiritually so that peace and development could take place in the country.
Earlier in her address, Most Revd Idahosa described Governor Okowa’s victory at the polls as ordained by God stressing that “God’s time is the best, as the holy spirit orchestrated and put you in this position, I pray to God to continue to uphold you, redirect and take you through all that he has ordained”
While reaffirming that the church and the state were partners in progress, she said that they were in the state to dedicate a church building that would uplift the souls of many people and be a blessing to the state.
