The Dean, Church of Nigeria and Archbishop, Province of Niger Delta and Lord Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, The Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey, JP has said that the Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, have the potentials to settle their political differences that are currently on-going.
Archbishop Kattey gave the assurance in an interview with reporters at the just concluded centenary celebration of St. Thomas (Ang.) Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He maintained that the duo are mature enough to settle whatever differences that they may be having now, as politicians, urging all Christian faithful to keep their faith in God and to always love one another in whatever situation they may find themselves. He commended the church for a successful event.
However, the Vicar/Arch-Deacon of St. Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu, Venerable Eugene Nicholas, thanked God for the opportunity to celebrate the centenary at Rumuokoro Deanery and few months later at St. Thomas. He expressed gratitude to God for his grace to have played host to the Dean of the Church, the Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey JP, consecutively. He further commended the growth at St. Thomas, saying that the Church has produced notable persons in the state, which include: the former and present Mayors of Port Harcourt City LGA in the state; Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, who was the Chairman of the centenary celebration, amongst others.
The Vicar, who commended the contribution of members in the development of the church, urged them to work in peace and harmony. He pledged to leave a legacy that will be directed by God, adding that any man of God who boasts of leaving any legacy as proposed by him means that he is not working for God, but for himself and lauded the planning committee for a job well done.
Speaking with journalists at the end of the event, Prof. Sir Sonny N. Amadi, Chairman, planning committee, described the Vicar of the Church, Ven. Nicholas as a wonderful man, adding that he is one of the best Vicars that the church has ever produced. He cited the vigil that was held in the church, prior to the celebration by Ven. Eugene as an indication that God is in St. Thomas.
Prof. Amadi, who is a lecturer at the Department of Banking and Finance, Rivers State University of Science and Technology RSUST, who thanked members of the church for their support and used the medium to enjoin the people of God and those out-there to imbibe the culture of transparency and accountability in all their financial dealings, believing that such will help the nation out of the numerous problems that is currently facing it now, he added. ###
By Blaise Elumezie