Adeboye commissions the Ecumenical Centre

Outside the Ecumenical Centre

Inside the Ecumenical Centre

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye (L), blesses the quadruplets of the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson and his wife, Dr(Mrs) Rachael Dickson, as they watch with delight, during the visit of the revered cleric to Government House, Yenagoa, for the historic Dedication/Commissioning of the 10,000-seater State Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene, Yenagoa. Photo by Michael Owi

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (M), and his wife, Dr(Mrs) Rachael Dickson (L), heartily welcome the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on his arrival at Government House, Yenagoa, for the historic Dedication/Commissioning of the over 10,000 – seater Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene, Yenagoa. Photo by Michael Owi.

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (L), felicitates with the former President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on his arrival at Government House, Yenagoa, for the historic Dedication/Commissioning of the 10,000 – seater Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa. Photo by Michael Owi

Okafor Ofiebor/Yenagoa

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG yesterday commissioned and dedicated to God, a 10,000-Seater -Ecumenical Centre in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State. A press statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo noted that, the Centre which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, was built by the Government of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson through direct labour.

In his exhortation, Pastor Adeboye praised the Governor for building a magnificent edifice for God and dedicated the Centre to the glory of God. He congratulated Bayelsans for having a leader like Governor Dickson, whom he said was a man after God’s own heart. He urged Christians to always anchor their faith in God, whom He said can do all things.

While stressing that, he left all his activities leading to the Monthly Holy Ghost Service in Lagos to honour the Governor’s invitation to the occasion because of his love for Bayelsa, the Man of God emphasised the need for people to serve God and humanity in truth.

Clergymen at the event

Governor Dickson described the Ecumencal Centre as one of the legacy projects of his administration. He said the edifice was in fulfilment of the vow he made to God to build a befitting place of worship where people of the state would gather for the Bayelsa annual thanksgiving service and other religious activities. Governor Dickson also said his government built the Centre even in a recession to thank God for all the good things He has been doing for the state and the Ijaw nation. He said only a prudent government like the Restoration Government could have delivered on such an iconic project like the Centre and calls for more support from Bayelsans.

While quoting copiously from the bible of how leaders built befitting sanctuaries of worship for God, the governor said the praise should go to God, adding that he won’t take glory for the edifice.

‘‘No one should take glory and credit for building a place of worship. We are only mortals and instruments effecting His will on earth. Thank God we are the instruments God used in making the Centre a reality but we can not take the glory for all glory go to God.. Thank God it is not everybody who want to build a house for God is privileged to do so. I consider myself privileged and honoured to have conceived and built the Ecumenical Centre and seen it to fruition. ‘’

The Governor who also used opportunity to sign the Bayelsa State Ecumenical Centre Management Board bill into law, noted that the rationale behind the setting up of the board was to ensure sustainability and proper maintenance of the facility.

Earlier, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo praised the Governor for the courage to deliver the ground-breaking edifice in the most difficult period. He said the nation has the potential to become one of the 10 most successful economies in the World by 2050, but stressed the need for the country to deal with corruption and other related vices to attain this goal. Professor Osinbajo was represented at the event by the Chaplain, Aso rock Villa, Pastor Seyi Malomo.

‘‘By 2050, Nigeria will be the fourth largest nation in the World and we can like China become one of the 10 most successful economies in the World by that date. This is our best moment because we have shown that despite the lowest earnings from oil in the past fifteen years and in 2016, we can still build and be involved in capital projects.’’

‘‘How is that possible, you may ask, it is by the grace of God and commitment to build. We have shown that as difficult as painful as recession might be, we have the capacity to come out and begin the building of an economy that emphasizes productivity and we provide enough jobs…’’

Highpoint of the dedication service was the altar call which saw thousands of people give their lives to God.