Otuaro, Ijaw Nation appreciate God with thanksgiving

By Odeya Ogbetuo,

 

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro has assured the Izon Christian Fellowship (ICF) of his continuous support to promote peace and development of the Niger Delta.

Otuaro gave the assurance during the 24th Ijaw Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving at DDPA Effurun, Warri, Delta State.

The deputy governor said it remains a thing of joy that Ijaws have come together to thank and praise God under Ijaw Christian Fellowship, adding that Ijaw Nation has been blessed with refined, industrious and intelligent men who have contributed to Nigeria development.

He noted that since the Ijaws embarked on special thanksgiving at the beginning of every New Year God has favoured, blessed and protected Ijaws of the Niger Delta from all evil plans of Satan and his agents.

The deputy governor who was represented by Ambassador Shedrack Agediaga, the Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) said that the Ijaws are resilient, courageous, determined, focused and hardworking people who were faced with a lot of challenges but God on their side they were able to surmount them.

He stated that God’s favour and positive manifestations are quite visible in the life of Ijaw people in all ramifications.

According to him “We are grateful to God for all His favour, protection and provision in 2020 and for ushering us into 2021 by His grace. We thank God for all that Ijaws have achieved so far since the beginning of the ICF prayer programme”.

He commended the leadership of ICF for their commitment to the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ and specifically thanked them for the various crusades they held in the riverine communities.

Earlier, the chairman of Ijaw Christian Fellowship, Rev. Emmanuel Imeleye said that God has been faithful to the Ijaw nation with His blessing and protection in all areas since the commencement of the Ijaw prayer, praise and thanksgiving 24 years ago and urged the Ijaws to remain steadfast in Christian faith.

Rev. Imeleye said that last year (2020) many things happened and the world witnessed sad events especially the Coronavirus 19 pandemic accompanied by lockdown, quarantine, restriction, no flight throughout the world at least for one month, adding that both the rich and the poor were affected, but God saved our lives and ushered us into 2021.

He stated that something tragic happened to ICF last year with the death of the grand patron of the religious body, Rev. Dr. I.C. Tolar who pioneered ICF and gave the ICF moral and spiritual support from the beginning of the association.

The guest preacher, Rev. German Benson said that the Ijaw nation cannot forget God because of His favour and blessing despite attacks, marginalization and oppression from evil persons.

Rev. Benson further said that some decades ago the Ijaws were relegated to the background, but today they are in forefront championing so many things by the grace of God.

He said Ijaws would continue in prayers, faithfulness and thank God always because he has delivered them from the hands of their enemies.

“Our enemies are so many, but they cannot consume us. God is good to us. We need to thank this God always. We have the power to seize the economy of this nation because we produce the wealth that sustains this country, but we won’t do that because we love Nigeria. We urged the Federal government to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta. We will continue to support the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria but, the government must do the right thing” he added.

Various anointed gospel ministers prayed for peace and development of Ijaws nation, traditional rulers and their kingdoms, Niger Delta and Nigeria.