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Okowa Congratulates Ned Nwoko at 62

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Hill Nigeria
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Vice Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated former member of House of Representatives, Prince Ned Nwoko, on his 62nd birth anniversary.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor said Nwoko, PDP’s candidate for Senatorial seat for Delta North Senatorial District in upcoming 2023 elections, had contributed immensely to political evolution in Delta and the development of his Idumuje-Ugboko community in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

He lauded the former lawmaker, who represented Aniocha/Oshimili Constituency in the Green Chamber from 1999 to 2003 for his patriotic contributions to the state and country, especially with his Malaria Eradication Project in Africa.

The governor affirmed that Nwoko had continued to make life meaningful for the downtrodden, and urged him not to rest on his oars.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you on the occasion of your 62nd birth anniversary.

“You have consistently impacted positively on the lives of people irrespective of tribe, religion, social status or political affiliation through your philanthropy.

“Your Malaria Eradication Project in Africa and the establishment of Stars University, Idumuje-Ugboko, are some of your entrepreneurial contributions to job and wealth creation for Deltans and Nigerians.

“As candidate of our great party in the Delta North Senatorial race, I have no doubt that the cap truly fits you as a former member of House of Representatives.

“You have created several jobs and provided many opportunities for our people to utilize their potential and earn a decent means of livelihood through your investments and philanthropy.

“Through your generosity and benevolence, you have also continued to maintain a large, devoted and loyal followership that bestrode the entire Delta and Nigeria.

“It is my prayer that God will continue to grant you a life of more accomplishments even as you strive to represent the good people of Anioma nation,” Okowa added.

Delta State Child’s Rights Implementation Committee Raises Concern Over Children In Conflict With The Law

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Hill Nigeria
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… Proposes To Amend Sections Of The 2009 Child’s Rights Law

By Patrick Ochei

The Delta State Child’s Rights Implementation Committee has raised the concern over the increasing spate of children in conflict with the law, adding that such was becoming too difficult to deal with at the implementation stage of the Committee’s activities.

The issue prominently came up in the meeting of the Committee on Tuesday 20th December, 2022, where a resolution was reached to write to the Ministry of Education to wade into the matter with a view to coming up with solutions to the menace as far as pupils and students are concerned.

The Chairman of the Committee and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Kevwe Agas submitted that the situation shows a loss of authority on the part of the parents and teachers who are supposed to be in the forefront of moulding and mentoring these children.

She said that the Ministry of Education must be notified of the breakdown of discipline in most of the public schools across the state, with particular mention of the West-End Secondary School Asaba, whose students’ names had consistently been mentioned in cases of indiscipline, rascality and improper behaviours both in the school and outside the school.

The Chairman also said she had noticed that the Child’s Rights Law of the State needs amendment to enable the Committee discharge its functions effectively and in accordance with the prevailing best legal practices as far as Child Protection is concerned.

Her words, “With the law being amended, we will be able to effect changes in the composition of the Committee to bring in especially representatives of Heads of primary schools, principals of secondary schools and Parents/Teachers Associations among others”.

She affirmed that she would collate the needed information alongside the Committee’s lawyer to approach the State House of Assembly for possible amendment.

Meanwhile, reports on activities of the year were given by different Committee members and investigators on the numerous cases handled by them, including advocacies, arrests, prosecutions and majorly, the establishment of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs, at the Asaba Specialist Hospital.

Whereas justice had been served in some of the cases, most are still on prosecution stages while some others were settled and dispensed with.

In a nutshell, the Committee resolved to continue with aggressive implementation of the law by interrogating every case of Child’s Rights infractions that comes to it, in addition to continuing with the advocacy initiative against child abuses.

We Hope For More Partnership, Successful Pilgrimage In 2023 – NCPC Boss

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Hill Nigeria
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By Celestine Toruka

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC has said that the Commission hopes to get more partnership for pilgrimage exercise and hopes to achieve more successful pilgrimage exercises in 2023.

The NCPC Chief Executive gave the assurance during the Commission’s 2022 Christmas Carol in Abuja.

According to him, “we pray for partnership with as many Christians, individuals and organizations who will like to embark on the Holy Pilgrimage to Israel, Kingdom of Jordan, Rome and Greece.”

He added, “We are including Turkey by next year, we are having this high hopes that next year every believer will wish to visit the Holy Land.”

He further said that the Commission hopes for more successful pilgrimage, as the first batch just left and others have been screened to leave soon.

Rev. Pam further affirmed, “Pilgrimage is a continuous process and as many more embark on the exercise, we pray to record more success.”

The NCPC helmsman enjoined Christians specifically during this Christmas season to be more prayerful.

He appealed to Nigerians and Christians in particular to dedicate themselves to the services of our father land.

In his words, “if the land is safe our churches are safe, if the land is safe we have freedom to pray and worship God, so we should be fervent in prayers,” he said.

For the forthcoming elections, the NCPC Boss, admonished Nigerians to shun rumours that would cause confusion.

He enjoined Christians to come out en masse to vote in the 2023 General elections. According to him, “Even the Bible enjoins us to respect authorities and all civic responsibilities be kept”, he said.

Rev. Pam also urged Christians to see competence over ethnic or religion, “choose leaders who are God fearing, good and accountable to his people,” he said.

Earlier in his exhortation during the Carol, Rev. Pam advised Christians not to give up during trying moments, but to be steadfast and fervent in prayers. According to him, “for every road that leads to success there is a wilderness. Prepare your minds for criticism, persecutions, adding that as Christians these should not be strange to us, as the storm will pass and there will be dancing in the morning,” he said.

He commended the staff of the Commission for their resilience, hard work and commitment.

Take Responsibility Of Your Environment, Asiuwhu Tells Staff

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Hill Nigeria
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Staff of Delta State Ministry of Environment has been enjoined to join hands with the state government in combating climate change and reducing their carbon footprint.

TypTyphehe Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Chief Godspower Asiuwhu gave the admonition during a two day training and education of staff of the Ministry on climate change and efficient service delivery at Professor Chime Edozien Secretariat, in Asaba the state capital.

Asiuwhu said dealing with climate change was an obligation they owe the future generations, as posterity would judge them if they fail to take responsibility, adding that they must be responsive to the clarion call to save the earth

He said climate change has become a daunting environmental challenge facing the world, which has threatened the socio economic prosperity of the state, posing a risk to the fiscal position of governments, living standard of individuals and can no longer be ignored as its effects were already manifesting as revealed in attendant  flooding and extreme weather conditions in recent times.

The Commissioner said as custodians of environment in the state, it was imperative to equip them with climate information, advisory services and reorientation on efficient service delivery so as to achieve desired results.

He added that the state has always been interest in participating in activities that would strengthen their capacity and combat climate change, which include opening possibilities for climate resilient development for Deltans through creation of enabling environment for climate change mitigation and adaptation activities, development of policy frameworks, legislations and climate plan which covers such broad areas as cat on emission reduction of greenhouse gas emission, tree planting advocacy amongst other measures.

The Commissioner urged them to build effective partnership and reinforce leadership to navigate through the environmental challenges so as to put the state economies on more resilient pathways.

In her words, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr (Mrs) Minnie Oseji  commended the state governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa  for the opportunity given to the staff of the Ministry.

Dr. Mrs Oseji admonished them to take the training serious and also train others on climate change and on how to be effective in service delivery.

Highlight of the event were lectures on ‘Personal Effectiveness’ by Dr Mrs Florence Otovwe;  ‘effective and efficient  service  delivery’ by Dr Munonye Osondu Mills and ‘Education on Action Needed by Reduce Green House Gases Emission and their negative impact’ by Efeturi Victor, amongst others.

 

 

2023 Election: Diden Calls For Effective Representation Of PDP

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Hill Nigeria
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By Christy Aboghe

Delta South Senatorial Candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Michael Diden (Ejele) has called for effective representation and delivery of the Party across the state and federation.

Diden gave the call during the inauguration of support groups at his Secretariat in Asaba.

He said it would ensure continuity of government activities and more development in the state.

According to him, the actualisation of winning five over fiver, that is from the Presidency  down to the House of Assembly candidate of the Party should be their focus.

He urged the inaugurated support organisation to extend the manifestos of the candidates to their people at the grass root level, with the understanding that it is one man one vote.

On his part, the National Coordinator, Atiku Okowa Solidarity movement (AOSM), Amb.  Elder Ojo Orobosa, promised to ensure that the group  work towards the victory of the Party.

Orobosa said they would deliver the Nigerian from the failed leadership of the country, which had brought nothing but sufferings and pains to the citizens.

2023: Atiku Will Defeat Obi In South-East – Aniagwu

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Hill Nigeria
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Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Charles Aniagwu says the turn out for the party’s presidential rally in Anambra and Imo states shows that the party had what it takes to win in the South East geopolitical zone.

Speaking on Arise Television on Saturday, Aniagwu said that the PDP was still very popular in the South East and urged Nigerians to support the party’s Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to rescue the nation from destruction.

Aniagwu said contrary to claims that Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi may win because he was from the South East, popular politicians had defeated their opponents in the past even in their strong holds.

According to him, the same way you have Peter Obi in the South East, same way you have Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso in the North and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the South-West, so individuals will naturally come from somewhere.

“That a man comes from somewhere does not mean that he may not be defeated and I may need to take you back to 1992 and if you could recall Bashir Tofa and Moshood Abiola. Tofa from Kano and Abiola from Ogun State in the South-West but Abiola defeated him in Kano.

“So that a man is from a place does not mean that the place will automatically be for him. And so I would not want us to be intimidated with the fact that somebody is from somewhere.

“Atiku is not just speaking and making promises, his chances both in the South-East and elsewhere in the country is far brighter than even the northern star and that is on the basis of his pedigree in time past.

“You will recall that between 1999 and 2007, Atiku and Obasanjo held sway in this country and their records are there for everyone to see,” he said.

The campaign spokesman further remarked that Atiku had the ability to search for talents to develop the country as he did while he was Vice president.

“Atiku is not just talking because he has the ability to search for talents irrespective of where they are from.

“Dr Okonjo Iweala and Professor Chukwuma Soludo who served as Minister of Finance and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, were discovered by Atiku and they made great impact during their tenure.”

On bringing peace back to the South-East, Aniagwu said Atiku had already enshrined peace and unity in his policy document “My Covenant With Nigerians”

“Atiku has made it very clear that he is going to discuss with both state and non-state actors and the crisis in the South-East is basically from non-state actors.

“Some people see them as agitators while others see them as militants but Atiku is not going to be involved in labeling. He will discuss the issues with them and good enough some of the issues are already known to him.

“Issues of under development and marginalization and he says he is going to address them to ensure that every Nigerian irrespective of where you are from is going to be brought on the decision table and once those issues are dealt with, the people agitating would have been assuaged to embrace peace,” he said.

Aniagwu who is also Delta State Commissioner for Information, said the party’s Vice-Presidential Candidate and Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa had addressed similar issues in the state to the extent that the creeks where there used to be agitations is now as peaceful as the upland.

“Atiku besides his pan Nigerian disposition  also believed that that formula worked and will be adopted to bring lasting peace across the country, so we are quite convinced that Atiku will take decisions that will make everybody comfortable by forming a government of national unity,” Aniagwu added.

Atiku’ll Resuscitate MSMEs With $10bn – Okowa

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Hill Nigeria
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Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday, affirmed that the party’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, would revive and grow Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with 10 billion dollars. 

Okowa stated this at the flag-off of PDP’s Presidential Campaign in Imo held at Heroes’ Square, Owerri and urged Imo people and all Nigerians to vote Atiku-Okowa ticket for the unity, rescue and rebuilding of the nation from the ruins the APC-led Federal Government pluned into.

He charged party faithful in the state to take the campaigns to the homes of the people to assure them that the PDP would resolve all security and economic challenges facing the nation, if elected.

“What I am seeing here today shows that you are indeed working very hard for the PDP and I am convinced that PDP will win the election in February, 2023.

“I greet all of you and I am very convinced that you are very ready to work for the PDP because you have come here in very large numbers.

“I urge you all to go to all our communities and preach to the people about the programmes and policies of the PDP as encapsulated in the Atiku’s ‘Covenant With Nigerians’.

“Only Atiku can unite Nigeria and rescue us out of the dire situation the APC has placed Nigerians with their inept leadership.

“Atiku has assured of a 10 billion dollar fund to support MSMES and you can be assured that whatever he says, he does.

“I have gone to various parts of the country and I am convinced that Atiku and PDP will win the election and when that happens, Imo State will be counted among the states won by the PDP,” he stated.

On his part, National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, said Imo had been a traditional PDP state since 1999 and urged the people to work together to win the presidential election for the party in 2023.

“Once we have won the Presidency, then be assured that Imo will be back to PDP. If you vote PDP be sure of economic growth because without security you cannot develop.

“We shall tackle insecurity so that our people can return to their various endeavours,” he stated.

Ayu warned against division in the party and urged the leaders to unite and work for the party’s victory in 2023, saying “We will not accept division in our party; everybody must work together to produce victory for the party”. 

Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Akwa-Ibom State,  Udom Emmanuel, said Atiku Abubakar remained the only candidate to unify the country and bring back the industries and create jobs for the people.

“Atiku will resuscitate and restore our nation’s lost glory,” Udom stated.

Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, charged Imo people to vote for the PDP to recover the nation from abject poverty, insecurity and economic malaise brought upon the country by the inept APC.

The campaign team, which had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Imo State Traditional Rulers’ Council led by the Chairman, Eze Dr Emmanuel.C. Okeke (Eze Imo), had in attendance Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; former Governors of Imo, Chief Achike Udenwa and Chief Emeka Ihedioha.

Others include former Governor of Old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, former National Chairman of the party, John Nwodo; former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wagbara and Senator Ben Ndi-Obi.

Okowa Congratulate Buhari At 80

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Hill Nigeria
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Vice Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th birth anniversary.

Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba extended the goodwill of the government and people of the state to the President on the landmark anniversary, saying God had been faithful.

The governor used the opportunity to commend Buhari for the completion of the second Niger Bridge, and remarked that it was a demonstration of “political will”

He said “as you clock 80 today, I heartily rejoice with you and your family on behalf of the Government and people of Delta.

“Let me on behalf of our people commend you for the completion of the second Niger Bridge, an audacious project that was long overdue.

“Your administration has provided support to states and local governments through interventions and refunds to mitigate the myriad of economic challenges faced by the two tiers of government.

“As you celebrate this year’s anniversary, it is my prayer and that of Deltans that God will continue to grant you good health and wisdom to finish strong as your administration winds down.

“On this auspicious occasion, I join your family, friends and other Nigerians to thank Almighty God for granting you a life of great accomplishments and service to mankind.”

Medical Officers’ Brain Drain: Okowa, Enabulele Proffers Solution

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Hill Nigeria
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Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and President of World Medical Association, Dr Osahon Enabulele, have said that improvement on emolument and working environment would reverse the preponderance of brain-drain of medical personnel from the country.

They made this known in their separate remarks at the opening of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) National Executive Council Meeting and Leadership Retreat in Asaba, on Wednesday.

They expressed optimism that resolutions from the NEC meeting, with the theme “Doctors and Effective Leadership in the Health Sector” would also proffer more solutions to resolving the issue and others plaguing the medical profession and healthcare delivery.

Reacting to the request for replacement of medical workers who left for greener pastures abroad, Okowa said he had given approval to fill the vacancies.

According to him, it is painful that people are leaving the country due to poor conditions. We cannot stop them, but the vacancies created by such exits should be filled; I have given the approval that they should be replaced so that we don’t over-labour those left behind.

“I have long given approval to the Commissioner for Health that all doctors and medical professionals who exits the services of the state should be replaced immediately.

“No doubt, the economic fortunes of a nation are closely intertwined with the status of the health of its people. But, to remain economically buoyant as a nation, we have to ensure that our health sector is not plagued with daunting challenges.

“Although we have achieved some milestones in health as a nation, the healthcare system of our country is beset with the current problem of brain-drain.

“It is worrisome that our medical doctors who are expected to provide care for those who are ill among us, are leaving the shores of our country in droves.

“I feel this is a very key issue facing us as a nation and we should look into ways of stemming this ugly tide as we will continue to lose our medical professionals to other countries abroad if urgent measures are not adopted.

“It is a national challenge, which demands the collective attention of all, and among other reasons, is especially the desire to earn more money. There are also some complaints about the working environment and inadequate equipment,” he said.

Okowa said that his administration had built new hospitals and provided modern hospital equipment to meet with current realities.

“In Delta State, we have tried to tackle some of these challenges by carrying out extensive renovations of most of our health facilities in all the three tiers of government
across the State.

“In addition, we have largely replaced old, worn-out and obsolete medical equipment with new ones in virtually all the health facilities in the State. 

“We have also built new hospitals; an example is Asaba Specialist Hospital, which is providing tertiary-level services in the State, including the Delta State University Teaching Hospital at Oghara. Others include the Advanced Diagnostics Medical Centre and Mother and Child Centre in Owa-Alero.

“Their medical equipment are state-of-the-art and these facilities will also serve as referral centres providing tertiary-level health services in the State and indeed, the entire country.

“They have been provided with all necessary amenities, including a very conducive environment and attractive working conditions for staff.

“I am proud to add that Delta State is one of the very few in the Federation to domesticate the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 in all our health institutions where residency training is being done,” he stated.

On his part, Dr Enabulele said that there was a need to have effective leadership that would address the myriad of issues confronting the health sector in the country.

He called for concerted efforts to address the issue of brain drain, saying “we must ensure that we walk the talk in terms of leadership.”

Enabulele described Governor Okowa as an exemple of good leadership, and wished that the medical profession and Nigeria had more persons like him.

Chairman of the occasion, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, recalled the role of the NMA in the past and urged them to wake up and contribute their best to rebuild the nation’s health sector.

He commended Governor Okowa for his impact in the health sector of the state, especially with the state’s contributory health insurance scheme.

In his address, the President of the association, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and some state governments, including Delta, for paying the new hazard allowance, adding that the Delta blazed the trail in paying the new allowance and many others.

Ojinmah called on other state governments in the country that were yet to commence payment of the allowance to do so to maintain industrial harmony in their health care sectors.

According to him, the quest for the long overdue upward review of CONMESS has been reinvigorated and shall not wane until the goal is achieved.

The NMA boss stressed that the grief of the long-suffering Nigerian doctor must meet a relief quickly to avert a total acquisition of escape velocity also known as ‘Japa’.

He said the NMA was passing through a lot of turbulence as a result of loss of standards and derision of merit in the society, and urged members to be of good cheer in the discharge of their duties.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of NMA in Delta, Dr. Carter Okolakpa, had expressed appreciation to Governor Okowa for the immense support his administration had offered the association.

Okolakpa appealed to the governor to declare an emergency on the replacement of medical doctors and other healthcare workers who had left the service of the state.

This, he said, would reduce the stress the doctors and health workers were passing through due to manpower shortage.

In his remarks, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, who was represented by Chief Chris Chukwurah, called for a strong leadership in the country that would address the challenges be-devilling all sectors of the nation, adding that the problem in the country was failure of government to implement well-articulated policies and programmes.

The Asagba, who is a medical doctor, wished participants fruitful deliberations.

During the ceremony, Prof. Clement Osime of the University of Benin, who delivered a lecture titled “Doctors and Effective Leadership in the Health Sector,” stressed the need for medical practitioners to put in their best in the discharge of their duties.

He also tasked the medical doctors on leadership, saying it was important for them to be good leaders so as to be good mentors and motivators.

2023: Nigerians Will Rejoice Again, Okowa A ssures

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Hill Nigeria
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Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that they would rejoice again as the nation would overcome its present travails after 2023 general elections.

Okowa gave the assurance at the 2022 Annual Convention and Christmas Concert of Christ Holy Church International, Asaba, with “Immanuel” as theme, and urged Nigerians to pray to God who alone could turn situations around for the good of the people.

He said that the sufferings of today would definitely pass away and a new life would come for Nigerians, adding that “rather than grumble and blame people, spend the time to pray to our God because He alone can turn things around.

“But, God alone who had allowed us to pass through the last seven years there is a lesson to be learnt from this.”

The governor, who took the only lesson of the occasion, said that the Christian faith was nourished daily by the word of God and expressed belief that the people were gathered to nourish their faith through the word of God.

“The convention is for us to be enriched such that when we leave for our various homes, we would have been assured that our lives have been affected positively.

“As Christians, we all know that God always want to be with us. But the question is, are we ready to be with God?

“The benefit of Christian life is to allow God to be with us and dwell in our lives and as children of faith we can do nothing without Jesus so we must struggle daily to abide in Jesus,” he said.

The PDP Presidential running mate said that Nigeria was facing challenging times which required the people to go into self-retrospection.

He stated that a very challenging period was prevailing in the country and that people were wondering if this was the Nigeria of their dream.

Okowa said “this, certainly is not the Nigeria of our dream; so, what do we do in this time? It is to call on the name of our God to touch the lives of our people so that we will do His will.

“These are interesting times for politics and politicians because as we talk to the people it is only God that knows our hearts and He alone knows those He has prepared to lead at this time.

“Our people must be prayerful and watchful so that God will truly lead us as a church and as a people so that we don’t act with the trauma of the times.”

In his sermon, President, Christian Association of Nigeria and General Superintendent, Christ Holy Church International, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, said that the theme of the convention, “Immanuel”, was an assurance that God was always with the people.

He said that God did not abandon His creation, adding that Nigeria would not break because God was with the country.

“The coming election will not break Nigeria. As a matter of fact, 2023 is the year of golden opportunity for Nigeria. 2023 is year of opportunity to elect leaders who will turn around the fortunes of Nigeria.

“God has already chosen those who will lead the people come 2023 and since God is interested in the government and the economy of men, then the people should be involved because God will use people to turn things around for the country.

“Do not be afraid because we have God who dwells among us to chose our leaders and watch over them and to hold them accountable,” the cleric stated.

The CAN President condemned those attacking INEC offices and urged Nigerians to be prepared to vote for the candidates of their choice to lead the country out of its present travails.

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