…Bayelsa is blessed – Adeboye. Oritsejafor
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), on Tuesday came hard on elites,
including religious leaders across Geo-political zones for their inability
to assist in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
He accused the political, business and religious leaders of selfishness,
saying they refused to make sacrifices, either in service or
self-restraint.
The Vice President, represented by the Aso Rock Chaplain, Seyi Joseph,
said these in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital, during the dedication and
commissioning of the 10,000 seater Ecumenical Centre, constructed by the
administration of Henry Seriake Dickson.
The edifice was dedicated by the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian
Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, and witnessed by a
former President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and founder of
the Warri-based World of Life Bible Church (WLBC), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor,
who said, “Bayelsa State is blessed.”
At the event, Adeboye who read the Book of Psalms 122 vs 1, prayed that
Bayelsa state would continue to grow from glory to glory.
The cleric said he was glad when Dickson told him he was going to build a
house for God.
He said, “This is definitely a magnificent building and we thank God for it.
What makes a house important is not the building, it’s not the furniture.
What distinguishes one house from the other is the owner. When a rich man
builds a house all he can call the house is a mansion. A smaller house
built by a king is a palace. It is the owner of the house that determines
its importance.
“There is only one house in the whole world where the joy of everybody can
be full. Those in the building will never know sorrow again. The power of
healing is in the house, the physician above all.”
Adeboye also revealed how the governor and his wife, Rachel came some
years ago for blessing during the times of trial, adding however that
today, the couple have been blessed with quadruplets.
“They came some years ago for blessing and fruits of the womb. When the
First Lady cane to me, I prayed for her and her husband. I am glad that
today, they have quadruplets”, he stated.
Dickson who led the praise and worship session in thanksgiving, thanked
God for giving him the privilege of building a place of worship for Him.
He gave thanks to Adeboye, describing him as a universal pillar of faith,
saying he was not meant to step out of the RCCG but decided to come to
Bayelsa.
Dickson who thanked Osinbajo for sending the chaplain of the Aso Villa
chapel, also commended Oritsejafor who, out of his busy schedule, came to
with SSS the event, at a time he was preparing for the anniversary of his
church.
According to Osinbajo, corruption, tribalism, religion and other parochial
tendencies remain impediments to the growth of Nigeria as a nation.
He said, “Permit me, then to make a concluding submission. It is my view
that the Nigerian elite – political, business and religious – regardless
of faith and ethnicity, think alike, and are driven by largely similar
motivations. The elite are usually self-centred, selfish and unprepared to
make the sacrifices either in service or self-restraint that leaders of
successful communities must make.
“Playing the religious or ethnic card when necessary so as to get the
masses in line is the grossly cynical default of our elite. However, the
most poignant point to note is that, when you look at any list of alleged
perpetrators of a heinous case of corruption, all tribes ethnicities and
religions are well represented.
“In other words, high level corruption knows no religion or ethnicity..
The conspirators include Christians and Muslims from all the Geo-political
zones. They are in government, legislature, judiciary and the press. They
are United, protect each other, fight for each other’s and are prepared to
go down together. They are one tribe, indivisible, regardless of
diversity. It is this tribe that confuse the arguments for change in
society….Nigeria’s greatest battle is the Jane to bring integrity and
accountability to public service and the private sector.
To build a new Nigeria, Osinbajo canvassed a new tribe of men and women of
all faith, tribe and ethnicity who are committed to a country administered
on high values of integrity, hard work, justice and patriotism.
The President of CAN, Samson Supo Ayokunle, represented by the chairman of
CAN (South South zone), Goddowell Avwomakpa, commended the governor for
signing into law the Ecumenical Centre Establishment and Management Board.
The President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix
Omobude, saluted the courage of the governor in standing on what he
believed in.
“Our father is here. On behalf of the entire PFN, I congratulate you. May
the heavens remember your works. I want to thank God for Bayelsa state.
You will continue to rise and rise”, Omobude stated.