Governor Okowa presents birthday card to Rev. Festus Udume. |
GovernorI feanyi Okowa of Delta State has called on Nigerians to
be spiritually minded in order to curb growing decay in family life.
He made the call today, Saturday, September 28, 2019, at Boji
Boji Owa, in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state during the 70th
birthday celebration of Rt. Rev. Dr. Festus Udume, Bishop of Anioma Diocese
Church of God Mission International.
The governor commended Udume, who also celebrated his 46th
anniversary on the pulpit, for his humility and exemplary leadership in the
House of God.
He decried the prevailing situation where many parents could not
attest to the character of their children due to negligence of responsibility.
To the bishop, he said: "You are retiring but there is more
to be done in the House of God, because God is allowing you to move into
community service because there is lots of decay in family life.
"Sometimes I wonder what we preach in the Church; we have
so many churches now but things are still going under.
"We go to church and we do not care for the kind of life
our children are living.
"It is not enough to go to church because when parents
don't know the character of their children then something is wrong.
"I am truly very scared for our nation, going into the
future, but I am confident that with men like you there is hope for the future.
"Forty-six years of experience on the pulpit is quite a lot
and I congratulate you on your 70th birthday."
Chairman of the ocassion, Prof John Okhuoya, lauded Udume for
his indelible sermons in the hearts of many and for the several empowerments he
had given to people around him.
"When he preaches the word of God you cannot but adjust
your life.
"We have seen your commitment and exemplary living as a
senior clergy and you have displayed loyalty and humility beyond human
comprehension."
Bishop Curtis Fiano in his sermon titled "The story behind
the glory" urged Christians to always be grateful and thankful to God for
what they have achieved if they were to get what they want in life.
"Where you are today is somebody's prayer point, adding
"if you don't thank God for where you are you will not get to where you
are going
The celebrant, Rev Udume said despite being a clergy man, he
went into farming in his desire to help people and lift them out of poverty and
called on highly placed Nigerians to use their privileged positions to uplift
the down-trodden.
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