By Emmanuel Ekebe & Michael Ilaya
Bishop of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Oleh Diocese, Delta State, Rt. Rev. John Aruakpor has called on the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervene in the critical challenges confronting the ‘MORE Agenda’ implementation.
He mentioned these challenges to include insecurity, lack of electricity, equitable distribution of political offices and dividends in the state.
Delivering his Bishop Charge at the Second Session of the Ninth Synod of the Diocese held at St Michael’s Church, Emevor, Isoko North Local Government Area, yesterday, Aruakpor emphasised that nothing should derail the governor from the noble stance of service to the people.
The Bishop noted that the governor had made giant strides in redirecting the economy of the state but there was the need to do much more.
While congratulating Governor Oborevwori on his second-year anniversary and achievements within this very short space of time and the presentation of the-State-of-State to the State House of Assembly, which has thrown a lot of light on certain issues, he
highlighted some of his achievements. The Bishop said: “it gladdens our heart as a church to note that the State under your watch has reduced the state debt profile drastically while going on with the gigantic projects across the state”.
According to the Bishop, the Diocese was most grateful for the unprecedented speed of work in the Ughelli-Asaba road dualisation project; the School of Health Technology, Ovrode which is almost set for commissioning; the College of Medical Sciences, Southern Delta University, Ozoro; the transformation of Warri and its environ, to mention but a few.
“We also commend the way you have taken it upon yourself to go around, to ensure quality job delivery.
“We are much more gladdened to note your giant strides in the redirecting of the economy of the State, as you recently approved a whopping some of 1.1 billion naira for investment through Private Public Partnership approach in the agricultural sector, for which the Aviara rice farm is a beneficiary. As we expect MORE of these, the church will continue to pray for you to finish strong in 2027 and beyond.
However, decrying the state of insecurity in the State, the Bishop said: “though the issue of security is a national one, we have chosen to also bring it to the doorsteps of the State. The infiltration of bandits, herdsmen and other criminal gangs into the State demands urgent intervention by the State Government. The activities of kidnappers seem to be waking up again, making people to sleep with one eye open.
“The church of God feels that the security bodies, ranging from the military to the Community vigilante should form a strong synergy to bring the tide to a halt.
On provision of electricity: “We have observed that one of the major banes of development in the State is the absence of power supply. This has led to the increase in the cost of running businesses, high cost of end products and has led to many folding up their establishments.
“We view this as a case of washing our faces with spittle even when living right inside the ocean. With the much availability of gas that is been flared, we call on the State, Local Government Councils and communities to partner with relevant bodies to convert same to electricity.
Earlier, drawing on the theme of this year’s Synod ‘Sonship Manifestation -Groaning Creation Awaits the Sons of Light’, the Bishop emphasized that “from heavens perspective, the movement of sons of God is binary: You either move like a king or you remain in spiritual helplessness even with His spirit inside you. You either act in faith like the four lepers and win or refrain to act and fall in fear”.
Taking reference from Luke 20:19, the Bishop said: “But sons-men and women who understand divine timing, operate with wisdom, carry strategic weight, and move with heaven’s confidence”.
He explained that heaven does not micromanage but authorizes and watch.
“That the healing, the economic breakthrough we keep asking for in our families, our communities, our nation … isn’t delayed because God is reluctant but because the Sons are silent or ignorant of what they ought to do”.
In his goodwill message to the Synod, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sherriff Oborevwori, who was represented by his Senior Adviser to the Governor on Policy, Rt. Hon. Solomon Funkekeme said that “as followers of Christ, our manifestation begins with our personal relationship with God, our Creator.
Quoting from Proverbs 11:11, the Governor said as a church, we must avoid negative speaking, rather strive to speak positively about our state and country, adding that we can be blessing and cursing at the same time.
Also quoting from Acts 11:26, Oborevwori charged the Christians to imbibe the spirit of unity as the world is looking up to christians who will be of moral influence as the church determines the direction in any society.
The Bishop’s Charge presentation was witnessed by an array of Bishops and Clergies from across the country including Rt. Revd. Bishop Muoghere Vincent, retired Bishop of Ughellli Diocese, Most Revd. Moses Yahaya, Bishop, Diocese of Kaduna, Rt. Revd. Ifedola Okupevi, Bishop, Diocese of Lagos, Rt. Revd. Ajiroghene Nwafili, Bishop, Ndokwa Diocese and a host of others.
The Bishop charge was rounded off with a launch during which over a hundred million naira was realized on the spot.
