BY SAM DUVWODE
Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has disclosed that, Delta State being a godly State is resultant upon the fact of the presence of men and women of God that has stood strong in prayers on behalf of the State.
Governor Okowa stated this yesterday in Warri during the 70th birthday celebration of a Gospel Icon, Philanthropist and Patriarch of the Christian faith, Rev. Thomas Ukwute, General Overseer of Anchor of Hope Ministry Inc, Warri, Delta State.
The governor who was respresented by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, noted that, as political leaders, as a government and as a State, that it is an irrevocable conclusion that prophesis were made that the peace enjoyed in the State is the resultant effect of true men of God.
Gov. Okowa noted that righteousness is a resisting force to evil in any spheres of life. According to him; “comparing the security situation in neighbouring States and other parts, we can only but say that, it is the Lord doing, and because we are too strategic or too modest, but the Lord indeed has been with us as a State”.
“We want to thank our ministers of the gospel for all they have done and are still doing for us as a State. Thank you for your prayers and all that you do”.
Governor Okowa while congratulating Rev. Ukwutu on his 70th birthday and celebrating God’s faithfulness upon his life, thanked the clergy man for all he is doing in God’s vineyard.
“I want to thank you so much for all that you have done to the body of Christ. Thank you for the great impact you have made, the re-investment of what God has invested in you can been seen in God’s children all over the world. Thank you for being 70 today and 70 in service of the Lord’s vineyard”. Gov. Okowa stated.
Earlier, Rev. Joseph Iwareme in a brief message, enjoin all not to despise their little begining but to remain focus towards their goal despite not having hope in life.
Rev. Iwareme, while describing Rev. Ukwutu as a leader who cares for his followers, urged all to seek for honour, integrity, respect, capacity and be leaders of love.
Rev. Thomas Ukwutu while fielding questions from newsmen, said, all he has achieved thus far was because of the grace and love of God in his life.
According to him” “Many times I have asked myself, how did I get here? To me, it is only the grace of God that has brought me this far. Looking at my background, where I came from and the way I grew up, there was no chance for me to be what I am today. But, not until when I was 20 years old, when I gave my life to Christ, then everything changed”.
“I had money at a very early stage in life but I had no peace of mind, but everything change when Christ came into my life, that was when I knew that value of love, grace and life”. Rev. Ukwutu stated.
Rev. Ukwutu who thanked the governor and his Deputy Barr. Kingsley Otuaro for the honour done him, said he will continue his philanthropic activities in order to complement government’s effort in empowering the people.
He noted that he has about 70 students at his Project Hope organisation at Ote-Okpu where students are being trained in various skills.
According to him, the main goal is to curb crime, reduce or completely eliminate drug trafficking and to bring down the rate of violence in the streets and society.
Highpoint of the ocassion is the cutting of 70th birthday cake by Rev. Ukwutu who was joined by the deputy governor and other top dignitaries present.