Government School Field Bonny, was crowded with inhabitants of Bonny in the Bonny local government area of Rivers State, On Saturday, November 19, 2011, as Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Bonny local government council and the Amanyanabo in-council, presented the 6th Edition of Bonny Annual National Prayer Summit in Bonny.
In his address, the CAN co-ordinator, Bonny chapter, Rev. Ambassador Kuro Tamunonye, B. B. (JP), welcomed all who made time to attend the 6th prayer summit.
The co-ordinator highlighted the importance the prayer summit in the area and reasons for CAN to introduce the annual get together prayer.
He said the objective is to serve as a basis of response to the unity of the church especially as contained in our Lord’s prayer, “that they may be one”, to promote understanding, peace and unity among the various people and state of society in Nigeria, through the propagation of the Gospel, To act as liaison committee, by means of which its members church can consult together and when necessary make common statement and take common action and to act as watchman of the spiritual and moral welfare of the nation.
Rev. Tamunonye said there is a need to be involved in governance and join political party of your choice. That politics is not a dirty game.
He said you can vote and be voted for in the rules of the game, adding that all must evangelize and politicize and seek political offices, if so desired.
The CAN Co-ordinator appealed to the Amanyanabo in-council and the local government chairman to please meet with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to complete the Bonny/Bomu road network so as to link Bonny to other parts of the state, as was mentioned in the Town Hall meeting of 2010, which was the intention of the amiable governor of Rivrs State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, during his visit to Bonny local government area.
He said the governor was to complete the project, for the Federal Government to pay the state later, but his request was turned down.
He said CAN is of the opinion that a powerful delegation be sent to Mr. President through the state governor, “while we solicit with our beloved authorities with prayers to achieve laudable goals, as this road project is indeed overdue,” he added.
On Security, the co-ordinator stated that safety of lives and property is now a serious challenge to the nation and that the issue should be taken seriously.
In his address, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple said the dream of Bonny annual national prayer summit has come to stay.
The king who was represented by Chief Aninowua Manilla Pepple, lauded Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for making the vision a huge success.
He said, “I urge you all to imbibe the redemptive power of this exercise and keep it alive in our every day life. This is why I am calling on all Christians, pastors, evangelists, teachers, parents and all well meaning people to endlessly pursue the things of God”.
Remarking, the Bonny Council Boss, Hon. Edward E. Pepple ably represented by his Vice Chairman, Ho. Emmanuel John-Jumbo, lauded CAN for the presentation of this year’s prayer summit in the area.
John-Jumbo thanked all who found time to participate in this exercise and to share the blessings of God.
The Chairman used the opportunity offered by the programme to thank all those who stood firm during the election. He commended His Majesty, the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny and his council of chiefs for all the support, adding, “I will like to reassure all of you of our avowed and strong commitment not to betray good governance anchored on the principles of democracy, transparency and accountability”.
He frowned at the situation where 160 beneficiaries of the local government interest free micro-credit scheme valued at N21,550,000 and only a paltry sum of 2, 536, 830 which represent only 11.8% of the total amount has been recovered, leaving an outstanding staggering sum of N19, 013, 170.00 to be recovered.
He pointed out that it was the fact that “some of our local fisherman who benefited from the deep sea fishing scheme through which they got brand new fishing boats fitted gears, resorted to selling the items. Thereby defeating the purpose for which they were meant. Such negative practices, if left unchecked, may discourage government and other agencies from embarking on similar people-orientation programmes, he added”.
By David Christopher Hart
