Politics
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AS Bayelsa State marks its fifth annual Thanksgiving Day celebration, Governor Seriake Dickson has called on the people of the state to jettison all divisive tendencies and join forces with his administration to build the state.
Speaking at the well-attended event on Wednesday, November 2, at the State Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene, Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, Governor Dickson emphasised the need for Bayelsans to be united, irrespective of their political differences to move the state forward.
The governor, who read the third lesson of the service, noted that, with effective collaboration between the government and the people, the state would continue to witness peace, stability and progress.
Describing the November 2, as a sacred day in the life of the state, he urged the people to appreciate God for His blessings upon their lives wherever they are.
According to Dickson, the State Thanksgiving law was enacted by his administration to re-dedicate Bayelsa to God and promote Christianity in the state.
Commenting on the Ecumenical Centre, he said the project, which was initiated by his administration, would be completed by next year, despite the paucity of funds, due to the importance the government attached to the project.
In his sermon, Uma Ukpai, a reverend, commended the state government for enacting the ‘Thanksgiving Day Law’, noting that, the gesture would attract more divine blessings to the state.
Ukpai, who enjoined youths of the state to imbibe discipline and show respect to elders, also urged Bayelsans to cultivate the habit of thanking God in every circumstance.
Speaking on the essence of the 2016 Thanksgiving Day, Samuel John-Peters, a pastor and special adviser to the Dickson on Religious Affairs, said Bayelsans have every reason to appreciate God for the creation of the state 20 years ago and for seeing them through their challenges.
John-Peters described this year’s edition of the Thanksgiving Day, as historic, in view of the fact that, it was the first to be hosted at the 10,000-seater Ecumenical Centre, which he noted, when completed, would be the first to be built by any state government, in terms of its capacity.
High points of the event were the special thanksgiving and offerings by the three arms of the government and various groups, songs of praises, as well as special prayers for the state and the country.
Justice Kate Abiri, chief judge of the state, read the first lesson, while Konbowei Benson, speaker of the State House of Assembly, delivered the second lesson at the service, which was attended by Gboribiogha John Jonah, a retired rear admiral and deputy governor, and Godknows Igali, a former federal permanent secretary, well as some members of the National Assembly from the State.
Other dignitaries include, Peremobowei Ebebi, a former deputy governor of the state, Serena Dokubo Spiff, secretary to state government, Alfred Diete Spiff, a king and chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, serving and former State and National Assembly members including Fred Agbedi representing the Ekeremor/Sagbama Federal Constituency.
— Nov 3, 2016 @ 17:50 GMT
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