Nigeria’s Challenges Demands Prayers --- Governor Okowa

By Kenneth Orusi, The Nigerian Voice, Asaba

The challenges bedevilling the country and her leaders could be surmounted with prayers as God could show mercy to Nigerians and her leadership through persistent intercession from His children, the Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Nigerians.

Speaking recently in Lagos at The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) 9th Founder’s Day Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony, the governor noted that but for the prayers by God’s children, nobody could tell where Nigeria as a country would have been today.

Governor Okowa, who was represented by his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, commended The Bible Society of Nigeria for its efforts at propagating the words of God.

According to the governor, “for us in Delta State, we believe in prayers because it is part of the cornerstone of our faith. There is no doubt that but for the prayers of the children of God, given what the country has gone through, we could have been worst off”.

He told Christians that the time of being passive observers is over, stressing that It is time for them to become active participants in the process of governance, adding "Join now and make a difference by virtue of who you are. Nigeria needs you now more than ever before. Stand up and be counted".

“The Bible Society of Nigeria has been doing a great job in the propagation of the Word of God. Please don’t relent. The enormity of the social and moral challenges of today makes it imperative for you to continue the good job for a better society and country" Governor Okowa stated.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, My Ayo Opadokun, challenged Christians to wake up to the reality of the day by providing sound and godly leadership for the country.

In his lecture titled “Mono-Economy: Antithetical To National Growth And Development”, Pastor Bayo Olugbemi traced the economic path the country has gone through in arriving at recession point. He urged Nigerians to work assiduously for the diversification of the economy.

The General Secretary of the society, Richard Dare Ajiboye, enumerated the various efforts and plans of the BSN in translating the Bible into indigenous languages and called on all to support the efforts of the body in making the Bible available in as many languages as possible in Nigeria.