A renowned Preacher in the South-South, Rev Stephen Odede was honoured along with his wife Dr. Mrs. Scholar Odede, by the International Organization of Advocates for Global Peace and Development (IOAGPD).
The man of God and the wife received the Award at the Liberation Power Ministries, Elioparanwo, in Obio/Akpor LGA on 19th July, 2015 by His-Excellency Amb. Per Stafsen, President Governing council of the organization.
In his opening remark, the chairman of the event Amb. Dr. Prosperity Udoji stated that Rev. Stephen Odede and Dr. Mrs. Scholar Odede were selected from over ten nominations because of their outstanding disposition to maintaining Peace in the Niger Delta through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Udoji stated that Rev. Stephen Odede and the wife Dr. Mrs. Scholar Odede have over the years help the less privileged especially students to pursue their education.
Dr. Udoji who is also the Presiding Bishop of Holding Faith International Church, Senegal Liberia, said the task of choosing Rev. Stephen Odede and the wife was easy by the Board of Directors because of their track records in the Christian faith and their love for mankind.
The Bishop explained that the Award bestowed on Rev. Odede and the wife coincided with the Nelson Mandela International Day set aside by the United Nations in honour of his contributions for the liberation of the people of South Africa from apartheid regime.
In her presentation, Amb. Minicent Jack stated that Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity, as a human right lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of the freed South Africa.
She explained that the UN General Assembly declared 18 in July “Nelson Mandela International Day” in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of Peace and freedom.
Amb. Jack stated that the World recognized Nelson Mandela because of his values and his dedication to the service of humanity in the field of conflict resolution and the promotion and protection of human rights especially right of children and other vulnerable groups. Most of Mandela’s values include democracy, freedom, equality, diversity, reconciliation and respect for all.
Earlier, the General Overseer of the Liberation Power Ministries Rev. Stephen Odede and Wife thanked the International Organization of Advocates for Global Peace and Development (IOAGPD) for the recognition and the honour done to him and his wife.
Pastor Odede who received the Award of Global Peace Ambassador said this will spur him to do more in the area of humanitarian service and peace to mankind.
In an interview shortly after the event Hon. Otu Abasi stated that the Pastor and the wife have affected the lives of many through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In his goodwill message, the Chief security officer, University of Port Harcourt, Amb. Lt. Col. Reginald Isigozo (Rtd) said the world needs peace and not war, while condemning the rate of killings in the North East Nigeria by the Boko Haram. ###
Pius Dukor
