in my early days as an ardent Christian, particularly in my elementary years, one of the gospel hymns that arouse my interest is one written by Johnson Oatman Jr as composed by Edwin Excel. The hymn titled; “Count Your Blessings” has remained one of my favorite hymns.
Whenever it was sung then, it, among many other things, resonates an aura of appreciation and gratitude to God for His manifold blessings, endowments and preservation. It reminds me of the things He (God) has done, is doing and, yet, promised to do.
Despite having some difficulties then, miming the entire four verses of the hymn, but it was not usually so with the refrain as we echoed it loudly;
“Count your blessings; name them one by one;
Count your blessings; see what God hath done;
Count your blessings; name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done”
No doubt, the hymn evokes some spiritual and emotional relevance as it encourages reflection on the good things in life, reminding us on the need to focus on gratitude.
For members of the Delta State House of Assembly, the Eight Assembly, the import of the lyrics of the above hymn cannot be overemphasized. They understood the essence of gratitude haven counted their blessings within the past two years as lawmakers in the State.
Just recently, they rolled out their drums to celebrate God’s faithfulness and mercies upon their lives, the State and, indeed the State legislature haven pulled behind them, two remarkable years of their four-year tenure as lawmakers in the Eight Assembly of the State legislature.
The date was Sunday, June 22, 2025 and the venue was Region 34, Unity model parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Asaba.
For regular worshippers at the Pentecostal church, the penultimate Sunday service was indeed, an unusual service. The hall was filled to capacity as the number of visitors at the church outweighed the regular worshippers. Men and women from all walks of life were in attendance including a legion of traditional rulers. From the State Governor to ward councillors in the State, the list of political office holders was endless. It was a gathering of who-is-who in the State as the Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor-led Delta State House of Assembly went to church to appreciate God for the journey so far as legislators in the State.
In his address at the event, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Speaker of the State House of Assembly described the Thanksgiving Service as not just a celebration, but a testimony of grace, divine guidance, and the unfailing mercies of God on the Delta State House of Assembly.
He said, “We are here this morning not merely as lawmakers but as servants of the people and stewards of the State. We are here to say Thank You, Lord for the gift of life, for His sustaining grace, and for the privilege to serve the people and the State. This is a rare privilege in the midst of over five million Deltans. God says 1 Corinthians 4:7 “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
Continuing, he said, “From the very first day of our inauguration in June 2023 till this moment, we have experienced unceasing divine grace in the discharge of our duties. In the Second Session we are celebrating, the House received sixteen bills; seven of the bills, including nine from the First Session were passed by the House. To the glory of God, fifteen of the bills have been assented to by our dear Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori. We have also received several motions and Petitions, and successfully considered them. We have engaged the Executive in our oversight responsibilities in ensuring accountability, transparency and good governance in the State. The fruit of our effort in collaboration with the Executive in the discharge of our duties can be seen in the massive development across the State. Psalm 136:1 admonishes us that “O Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. “Without God, we could do nothing but with him, we have accomplished much.
Further, he said, “At this juncture, I would like to specially thank our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, and his beloved wife, Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori. Sir, we remain grateful for the synergy between the Executive and the Legislature. Your support has been a pillar upon which many of our achievements and successes rest. May the good Lord continue to guide your leadership”
The State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who attended the Thanksgiving Service with his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori said his administration would continue to forge a common front with relevant stakeholders, particularly the legislature and the judiciary towards improved sustainable socio-economic development of the State.
The Governor noted that the existing cordial relationship between the three arms of government in the State is instrumental to the ongoing relative peace and security as well as Infrastructural development.
With the existing cordial relationship between the three arms of government, the Governor disclosed that the State Government is working assiduously in addressing pockets of challenges in the State, particularly the rising wave of criminality and crime commission.
While saying that the State is recording appreciable result in that direction, the Governor enjoined members of the public, particularly social media users to desist from escalating such misdemeanour through their unverified reportage.
“Recently, I called a meeting involving the various stakeholders in the State where we discussed and took meaningful resolution on the security situation in the State
“Security matter is not what we discuss in the public. But I can assure you that we are on top of the situation and, our resolution is yielding the desired results
“We couldn’t have achieved this but for the existing cordial relationship between the Executive, the Legislature and the judiciary.
“May our Unity remain unshaken in our resolve to better the lot of Deltans “ Governor Oborevwori said
He commended the Eight Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly for deepening Infrastructural development stride in the State through their robust and people-oriented legislation.
In his sermon, Pastor Olufemi Olumide of RCCG Region 34 emphasised the power of thanksgiving in honouring God and fulfilling spiritual vows.
He warned against pride and cited Nebuchadnezzar as a cautionary example of failing to acknowledge God.
“Thanksgiving is a spiritual medicine. It cleanses the soul from pride, false independence, and foolishness,” he said.
Making reference to Psalm 116:16-19, Pastor Olumide described thanksgiving as a divine command and a means of attracting restoration and divine favour.
