Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has urged people of the
state to sink their political differences and work together for the common
good of the state.
He threw the challenged at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in
Yenagoa, on Sunday during an interdenominational thanksgiving service in
commemoration of the 56th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria and the 20th
anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State.
Dickson, represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah,
(retd), said that although the state was yet to fully realise the
yearnings and aspirations of its founding fathers, more could be achieved,
if Bayelsans pool their resources together for the development of the
state.
He urged Bayelsans to develop themselves intellectually and through other
legitimate means, especially through agriculture, to remain relevant in
the nation’s scheme of things, rather than depend on the government for
all their needs.
According to the Governor, the restoration government would do everything
within its reach to drive the infrastructural and human capital
development of the state, through the formulation and implementation of
appropriate policies and programmes, despite the challenge of dwindling
resources.
The Governor commended the Armed Forces for all their sacrifices, in
defending the territorial integrity and unity of the nation and urged
Nigerians to keep hope alive in the face of the biting economic recession.
He also appreciated the efforts of security agencies towards the
maintenance of peace, law and order in the state, and expressed his
administration’s determination to give necessary support to ensure the
safety of lives and property.
Delivering a sermon entitled: “Self-Industrialisation from a Religious
Perspective”, Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Pastor
Samuel John-Peters admonished Bayelsans to harness their innate potentials
by working hard, stressing that, God has blessed every human being with
what is required to live a fulfilled life, without depending completely on
others.
He quoted the scriptures, including Ecclesiastes chapter 9:10 and
Proverbs 12:24, decried laziness, emphasizing that, those who are slothful
and depend on others, only attract poverty and misery to their families.
The cleric also took a swipe at clergymen, who take advantage of the
ignorance of the people by making false prophetic declarations of divine
prosperity over their lives for pecuniary benefits, instead of encouraging
them to work hard, stressing that, God Himself is aversed to indolence and
lack of diligence.
Special prayers were also offered for the Country, the State, the
different arms of the government and leaders at various levels as well as
the civil service and the citizenry.
The service which featured special prayers for the leadership of the state
and the nation, was attended by people from all walks of life, including,
former military Governor of Old Bendel State, Retired General John Yeri,
literay icon, Dr Gabriel Okara, Secretary to the State Government, Chief
Serena Dokubo-Spiff, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Rt Hon
Konbowei Benson, former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development
Commission, Dr Tarila Tebepa, King Amalate Turner among other dignitaries.