The Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, CTC chairman Gokana, Ledee Deemue and the chairman Rivers State council of traditional Rulers HRM Chief Godwin Giniwa were among dignitaries that attended a one day international Day of Prayer.
The event was held at the famous Birabi Memorial Grammar School, BMGS, Bori over the weekend.
Our correspondents reported that the event featured prayers, choir ministration and rededication of Ogoniland to God. Rev. Dr. Solomon Gbenegbara and Ven. G.M. Mpigi presided over the occasion.
Bishop Gbenegbara told journalists that the Ogoni church leaders’ council was consulted as well as heads of all the churches in Ogoni for the prayers which is distinct from CAN.
Bishop Gbenegbara said the era of discrimination and abuse among the Christians is over in Ogoni land as all the churches are now united, while welcoming any Ogoni person to collaborate with them.
In their solidarity messages, Senator Abe represented by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Gokana LGA, Hon. Demua told the Ogoni people to be steadfast in prayers until they get to the promised land.
Senator Abe charged the youths to shun all manner of violence and be united for the common progress of the people.
He called on the traditional rulers in Ogoni land to organize a day of prayer in their different domains, for God to intervene in the suffering of the Ogoni people.
In his remark, HRM Chief G.N.K Giniwa stated that in the past the traditional rulers were idol worshippers but today the situation has changed and now worshipping God Almighty.
The chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers said any traditional ruler who did not worship God should be dethrone immediately.
He warned the youths to shun cultisim and the killing in Ogoni land otherwise their days on earth are numbered. “Why did the youths want to die young” he querried, saying all the great men today in the world were once youth and if you are cut-short in life you can not fulfill your destiny, he maintained.
He thanked the men of God for the event and urged the Ogoni people to live in peace and harmony.
Earlier, the convener of the event, a US based Pastor; Rev. Godswill Keenam said the National Day of Prayer is very significant as God can do the impossibilities in Ogoni today.
He said Ogonis have suffered a lot of travail and if man refuses to listen you can commit God to listen to you hence the dedication of Ogoni land to God. The man of God stated that oil exploitation and exploration has contributed to the woes in Ogonis through pollution, degradation and lost of livelihood.
On the prayer for an Ogoni Governor, he said is not out of place because every person has the legal right to ask God his request.
Dr. Peter Medee the president of KAGOTE also called on the FG for the implementation of UNEP Report in Ogoni. ###
Pius Dukor
