Okowa Cautions against Drumbeats of War

By Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has warned against beating the drums of war in the country, noting that the consequences of any war never do anybody any good as the negative effects of the Nigerian Civil War (Biafran War) were still being felt today.

The governor urged Christians and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to pray for peace and unity in the country as Nigeria does not need war.

He spoke yesterday at the second year thanksgiving service of the sixth assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly held at the Living Faith Church, Asaba.

Okowa said: “In this time, we don’t need another war, it is time for us to think and reflect on the past and build a greater, more united country.

“Nigeria needs God to survive; by the grace of God, Nigeria is one and will remain as one. Christians should continue to pray for the country, we don’t want to see war.

“It is time to reexamine ourselves, examine our homes and to think of our existence; we need to reflect on things we do as parents and what we are inculcating into our children because, as parents, we must build in our children the knowledge of God for us to have a better society.”

Nonetheless, he commended the state legislature for a successful anniversary, saying the legislators have been very diligent in serving God and diligent in working with him to serve the citizens of the state through making of relevant laws.

“I believe that Lord has been very faithful to you and you have worked very diligently with God and has worked very diligently with me,” the governor stated, reiterating: “We deserve to give Him thanks and praise and I am glad that all the members of the House of Assembly are here to serve God; if you don’t look up to God and trust in Him, you are going to have problems.”

Speaker of the state assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who took the first reading at the church service, told newsmen earlier that the state legislature could not be rightly termed a rubber stamp of Okowa or the executive arm of government simply because of the level of cordiality existing between the House and the governor.

Oborevwori, who disclosed that the assembly received a total of 34 bills in the legislative year including 10 executive bills, pointed out that such cordial relation is in the interest of the people and good governance as peaceful relation between the arms of government has enhanced the process of making laws for the good governance of the state.

Earlier in a sermon, the presiding minister, Mr Julius Oyinloye, stressed that “thanksgiving is expression of peace in our lives; thanksgiving is the will of God, giving Him thanks is application for more.”

The thanksgiving servicewas attended by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, traditional rulers, the Speaker and members of the state assembly and top government functionaries, their family members and friends.   

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