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• Prays for Divine Healing, Peace and Progress in Igala Land, Kogi, Nigeria
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief (Dr.) Edward Onoja on Saturday, joined sons and daughters of Igala Land as well as other visiting well-wishers who converged on the Garden of the Lord Prayer Camp in Ojuwo, Anyigba, for the annual Igala National Prayer Conference, INPC.
This year’s Prayer Conference themed: “Call on God” which brought together business people, individuals across public and private sectors as well as faith-based organizations, seeks to call for the Unity of the Land and offer thanksgiving to God for the lofty achievements being recorded in the State while praying to Him for its sustainable peace and progress.
In his remark, Chief Onoja who is Grand Patron of the INPC observed that Igala people are known with values of not only being homely, but peace-loving and caring. He however stated that these attributes were gradually fading away because greed, diabolism, hate, envy, inhumanity and other bad spirits that have been left to wade into their affairs.
In what he described as a “myopic mindset,” Chief Onoja regretted that a worrying number of people in Igala Land have allowed the devil to penetrate their hearts, leaving them more engrossed about who would be charting the course of the State in the next gubernatorial elections rather than being more concerned about the primary issues of development.
He referenced billionaire and business magnate, Aliko Dangote who is recording tremendous feats in the private sector, stating that more Igala sons and daughters must imbibe the culture of diversification than being more unitary.
“As at today, to the glory of God, and as far as the Nigerian political hierarchy is concerned, a small me, by God’s grace, is the number one person in Igala Land. This is not because I am righteous, but because God chose me and to that effect, I owe no man any apology. If the same God decides to take me even higher, it is really not in the hands or wish of any man. No mortal’s destiny is in the hands of any mortal. We are all in the hands of God, according to him.
“God has also proved himself in history to answer prayers if his people call on him in spirit and in truth, thus, the immutable fact that since He created us in his image, we must use the atmosphere of grace that was freely bestowed on us to function as primary agents of accompanying His desire to prosper His people and fulfill His purpose,” he said.
While harping on the qualities of God as being patient, merciful, gentle and compassionate, Chief Onoja charged Committe members saddled with the responsibility of christening the New Attah Igala to follow tenable Laws guiding the process. He insisted that who should be Attah has been chosen by God from birth, hence mere mortals must resist the urge to circumvent due process.
He drew exhortations from Job 5:21, Psalm 91:3 amongst other biblical references, and led the congregation on fervent prayers against famine, false accusations, spirit of confusion and the challenges caused by the politics of Covid-19 pandemic, among other points.
Speaking further, He opined that people of Igala Land must continue to pray to God for peace and brotherhood as they remain conduits for progress. He declared in prayers that any son or daughter of Igala land who attempts or conspire to pull another Igala person down, the earth should open up to swallow them all up. He also prayed that those who pray for the land, utilize their resources and energy, going out of their ways to lift others in Igala land, God almighty should bless them and open doors no man can shut to them.
He prayed God to heal those who are sick, comfort those who are hurting and provide renewed strength and wisdom to all.
Earlier, Dr. Abu Moses Alidu, JP, President of the Garden of the Lord Prayer Camp and Convener of the Conference, while referencing Luke 18, said God admonishes that, “men ought to pray and not to grow weary.” He disclosed that the theme “Call on God’ was inspired by God Himself to offer yet, another platform of prayer for sons and daughters of Igala Land which would rebirth the State and push it to greater heights.
He disclosed that the program which started in 2015 has ran consecutively in the last seven years stating that sands collected from the various Local Government Areas of the Eastern Region were in tandem with God’s prophetic declaration to nip the challenges bedeviling the region, Kogi state and country in the bud.
Other Ministers had also took turns to pray for the Land through intercessory and gospel musical renditions.
Present at the event were Ogohi Oloba, representing the Ejeh of Dekina, HRH Alh. Muhammed Kebir Umar, Ejeh of Olamaboro, HRH Ujah Simeon and other traditional chiefs. Others were ICDA President, Alh. Abubakar Sadiq, Chairman, Dekina LGA, Hon. Shaibu Siaka, Honourables Bobby Ujah, Moses Ododo, Enema Paul representing Olamaboro, Dekina/Biraidu and Okura Constituencies respectively, among other sons and daughters of Igala Land.
Promise Emmanuel
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor
20th March, 2021.
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