The Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has called on Abians and Nigerians in general to always show gratitude to God for his numerous blessings and privileges upon them.
He gave this advice during the 2020 opening ceremony, dedication and special Thanksgiving service of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Umuahia Presbytery in honour of Justice Onuoha Ogwe on his recent appointment as the Chief Judge of Abia State and Elder Ifeanyi Agbai on his meritorious retirement as a Permanent Secretary held at the St Peter’s Presbyterian church, 17 Abiriba street, Umuahia,
Represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, the governor thanked God for elevating Justice Onuoha Ogwe as the State’s Chief Judge and for granting Elder Ifeanyi Agbai the grace to reach the peak of his carrier and retired meritoriously without blemish and applauded them for not taking the blessings and privilege from God for granted by coming to acknowledge Him in Thanksgiving.
He congratulated the two celebrants praying that the wonderful works done in their lives would be permanent and warned people against taking the gift of life, blessings and saving grace from God for granted but to always reciprocate through thanks and praises to God to attract more blessings.
He also expressed the resolve of the present administration to partner and sustain the robust relationship existing between the Presbyterian Church and other Churches across the state.
The governor also used the forum to assure the leadership of the church that the issues hindering the commencement and completion of work at Hope Waddle University Ohafia will be resolved by government.
In his sermon titled,” Shine While You Are Here” the Moderator South Central Synod and Guest Preacher, The Rt Rev. Ikechukwu Nduka who maintained that for Christians to shine, they must surrender themselves to God as well as do away with sinful habits, stressed the need for all to make impact in the household of God by contributing financially and winning souls for God.
Presenting their address, the Moderator of Umuahia Presbyterian Church, the Very Rev. Chukwuma Kalu Okorie listed the achievements recorded by the Umuahia Presbyterian and challenges confronting them in actualizing their dreams and called on all to partner the church by supporting them financially to enable them address their ecclesiastical burden together.
Highlights of the service were Thanksgiving by the two celebrants, Justice Onuoha Ogwe and Elder Ifeanyi Agbai and prayers of dedication of political office holders, Civil Servants, Ministers, Elder, different arms of the Presbyterian, Students among others by the Prelate and Moderator General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Nzi Nsi Eke.
The service attracted the presence of the immediate past commissioner for Boundary Matters and Conflict Resolution, Chief Mascot Obike Imo, top government officials, members of the judiciary, the clergy, traditional rulers and other notable personalities.