Asaba – Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday called for continuous prayers for the state and the country, to enable government to overcome its challenges.
The governor spoke at an Inter-Denominational Thanksgiving Service organised to mark the state’s 24th anniversary at St. Phillips Anglican Church, Asaba,
He also urged the people to fear God in all their undertakings.
The governor said that the state had come a long way at 24 amidst challenges, calling on all citizens to be committed to moving it forward.
Okowa said he would run the affairs of the state on the basis of fairness and urged the people to continue to contribute their quota to ensure its prosperity.
He said that the state, and indeed the country, was passing through difficult times due to the crumbling prices of crude oil, but expressed hope that things would get better.
“We need to continue to pray for our state and we need to continue to pray for Nigeria; it is a challenging time for this country, the economy is bad,” he said.
The governor said that his administration was open to advice, urging religious and traditional leaders, among others, to approach the government whenever the need arises to correct any perceived wrong doing.
According to Okowa, the state government is on course with its prosperity for all Deltans’ agenda with Wednesday’s inauguration of the youth entrepreneurial skills empowerment programme.
He said that the government would explore exploit opportunities in agriculture to build the youths and transform the state economy.
Okowa said the intention was to build skills, to enable the youth become employers of labour and not job seekers.
“It is my prayer that as we celebrate the 24th year of our state, we will continue to fear God and continue to preach the cause of the poor and the needy.
“I also pray for the entire state to progress and prosper,” Okowa said.
Earlier in his sermon, Rev Gideon Oyibo, State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), charged the government, leaders and followers to fear God, for things to get better.
He appealed to the people to avail the state of their God-given talents toward the development of the state.
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The clergy advised the citizens to shun bad habits such as conversion of public funds into personal pockets.
The ceremony was graced by many prominent people of the state. (NAN)
