By joshua 
KGCPC Holds One Day Prayer Retreat For Peace in Israel, Kogi State, Success of Gov Ododo’s Administration
… As Bishop Ibenu Tasks Nigerians on seeking the face of God to overcome current economic challenges.
Bishop Ibenu
Nigerians have been asked to seek the face of God regarding the hard times that citizens are presently experiencing, also admonished that peace remains paramount on the mind of God.
Chairman KGCPC
Bishop Dr. John Ibenu, Founder, Chapel of Freedom International Churches, gave the charge at a one day prayer retreat organized for peace in Kogi State under the leadership of Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo, Nigeria and God’s intervention for peace in Israel.
Onakpa
The One Day prayer retreat with the theme; “Peace in kogi State, for God to unlock the key of hindrance on pilgrimage in Nigeria”,
was organized by the Kogi State Christian Pilgrims Commission Lokoja in collaboration with Conference of States Leaders and Managers of Pilgrimage in Nigeria, held in Lokoja.
Speaking to Newsmen on the sidelines of the retreat, Bishop Ibenu said regarding the hard times that Nigerians are going through, asked Nigerians to seek the face of God through prayers and not on man.
He urged Nigerians to do the best they can in whatever position they find themselves, called on the Federal and other arms of Government to look and review the programs and policies they have done wholistically to see what they can do to improve on the living standard of the Nigerians.
“There is definitely something that can be done to improve on what has been done. Right now things are challenging. But we should not give up. Let us hope on God. Change can come any moment. God will give us a supernatural bailout. Let’s continue to pray”.
On the ongoing Middle East crisis between Israel and other countries, Bishop Ibenu disclosed that problems will not do anybody any good, pointing out that peace is what is paramount on the mind of God.
Bishop Ibenu called on all those striving for political issues and formenting problems to have a rethink, pointing out that, not everyone who seek office will be elected, urged them to join hands with those in positions to better the lives of the citizens.
“All of us cannot be Governor’s at the same time. All of us cannot be Local Government Chairmen at the same time. Let’s join hands with those who are there and work with them. Next time it will be somebody’s turn. By reason of my Ministerial calling, who ever God puts there, let’s work with him. Nobody can get there except God puts that person there. I call on everybody to live in peace, work for peace. Peace begins with you and those around you and lets change this society around”.
Bishop Ibenu disclosed that the prayers for the Peace of Israel is biblical and scriptural, added that those that pray for Israel shall prosper and they that love Israel shall prosper.
“That is what the Bible says. Do we support war? no. The loss of every life touches the heart of God and touches our lives too. Nigeria have a tie with Israel. We owe it a duty to pray for the peace of Israel. Let us live the politics to the politicians. Israel is a nation under God and it is in the agenda of God. As a Church, we continue to pray for the peace of Nigeria, Kogi State and Israel. We pray for cease fire ongoing in Israel. The soul of a Palestinian is also important to the Church. The christians dieing in Palestine and Gaza are also important to the Church. We pray for a lasting peace and cease fire. We call on those fanning the embers of war to have a rethink”.
Earlier in his remarks, Bishop David Moredayo, Chairman, Conference of States Pilgrimage Leaders and Managers in Nigeria said the retreat became expedient in view of the hindrance facing christian Pilgrimage.
Represented by Dcn Simeon Onakpa, Commission Secretary, KGCPC and Secretary, Conference of States Pilgrimage Leaders and Managers in Nigeria, said the one day prayer retreat is aimed at praying for the return of peace to Israel and Nigeria.
He added that the prayer is also geared towards praying for the success of the Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo’s administration, pointing out that the administration has started well, reason why the place of peace and sustainance of the positive development ongoing in the State calls for intense prayers.
Also speaking, Chief Christopher Ayo Olubunmi, Executive Chairman, KGCPC, said the one day prayer retreat became expedient owing to the ongoing crisis in the middle East which has affected the operation of the Commission to perform Pilgrimage to Israel. He called for prayers for peace of Nigeria, Kogi State and for the administration of Gov Usman Ahmed Ododo.
Highlights of the Prayer retreat was prayers for Israel, Nigeria, Kogi State and for the success of the administration of Gov. Ododo led by Bishop Ibenu, Pastor Henry Asarapo and
Rv. Dr. A.A. Isaac of El- Ray Ministry.