Governor Okowa of Delta State

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Sunday appealed to Nigerians to guide against provocative utterances that could lead to war, but continue to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

Okowa made the call at a thanksgiving service to mark the second anniversary of the state’s sixth House of Assembly at the Living Faith Church in Asaba.

Okowa said prayer was necessary to overcome the present challenges facing the nation.

According to the governor, Nigeria today depends on God to continue to survive because in the last few days a lot of things have happened.

“There is threat by the words of men but I know that by God’s grace, Nigeria is one and God will continue to keep us together.

“In this very trying time, Christians must be on their kneels to continue to pray for this nation; we do not want to see any more wars neither do we want to see things that will put us apart from one another.’’

Okowa, therefore, advised Nigerians to reflect on the past in order to forge ahead.

The governor urged the lawmakers to put God first in all their activities.

“This is the only way you can impact on the lives of the people of the state even in this present time,’’ he said.

He congratulated them for the successful completion of the second session of the sixth assembly.

Okowa also called on parents to influence their children positively as they were leaders of tomorrow.

“We must realise that it is time for us to think and reflect on the past, examine our homes and examine ourselves.’’

Also, the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, who read Psalm 100:1-5, thanked God for a successful session.

“It is good to give thanks to God in all things and we hope and pray for the best as we move into the third session.

“I want to assure the people of the state that we are ever ready to deliver on the mandate of Deltans because that is what we are elected to do,’’ he added.

Earlier in his sermon, Pastor Julius Oyinloye stressed the need for Christians to always give thanks to God, saying that thanksgiving was a command from the scripture.

(NAN)