By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State chapter, Rev. Stephen Adegbite, were among dignitaries that graced the annual programme of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry held recently at the Ijesha camp ground of the church. Tagged “Mgbidi-Lagos Experience,” the programme attracted thousands of people from within and outside Nigeria, including those who participated online.
The theme of the four-day power-packed international programme, “What God has determined shall be done,” was carefully designed to ensure that the congregation prayed and brought down the power of God for a prosperous 2023.
Governor Diri expressed gratitude to God and commended the general overseer of the church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, for his spiritual assistance and prayer over the flood disaster that befell the people of Bayelsa State last year, a development he said helped bring calm to the flood-ravaged state.
Diri recalled that Bayelsa went through one of the worst challenges in the history of the state last year when an unprecedented flood ravaged the state.
He said: “So many people lost their lives, while scores were equally rendered homeless. The people’s sources of livelihood were destroyed but somehow God saw us through.
“In the midst of this, Pastor Muoka would call me to assure me that God was with us. Surprisingly, soon after the call, the flood receded and life came back to normalcy.”
The governor noted that he was at the programme on behalf of the people of Bayelsa State to show gratitude to God for his mercy and faithfulness to the state, particularly during its difficult time of flooding.
“I have come today to represent my state and to join you to worship God and to return all the glory and honour to God. I am here to worship God. I am here to appreciate God for all He has done for my state in 2022 and what He will do in 2023. There is none like Him. We will continue to worship Him all the days of our lives,” he added.
Diri, who vowed to continue to worship the almighty God as long as he lives, said: “There is no office that is bigger than the office of the Almighty God. Whatever office we hold is from Him and these offices are very temporary; so no man should be carried away with it.”
On the measures taken by his state so far to eradicate erosion, he said: “We have provided for a flood and erosion control agency in our 2023 budget. And we are going to constitute that agency, which will plan and implement our policies on flood and erosion eradication. That is the step we have taken so far.
“I bring you felicitation from the good people of Bayelsa and the government of prosperity in the state. I would like, on behalf of the people of Bayelsa State, to appreciate Pastor Muoka for all his prayers and support to the government and people of Bayelsa State.”
Pastor Muoka admonished the people to stick to the words of God, in spite of the economic crises facing Nigerians.
He said: “Remain focussed on God even in this time of economical crises. We all know that people are dying in hundreds every day; businesses are winding up across the globe; many people are losing their jobs; political alignments are crashing, and uncertainties are everywhere but we must remain focused on God Almighty.
“In our economy today, there is little hope for the future. But God is not caught off-guard, for He has designed this programme to prove that the entire heaven and earth and everything therein are under His control, and that whatever He determines shall be done.”