…As governor solicits prayers for leaders
The Aso Rock Chapel yesterday in Abuja honoured Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State with a presentation of a “Legacy Bible,” in appreciation of his propagation and deepening of the gospel, not only in Bayelsa State but throughout the nation. The chapel praised the governor for making the word of God the foundation of his government and urged other leaders to emulate him.
A press statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo said the “Legacy Bible” was presented to the Governor at the Bayelsa State Governor’s lodge by the leader of the delegation and chaplain of the Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo.
The chaplain said as a Christian, Governor Dickson has shown exemplary leadership in the service of God and man. Pastor Malomo also said Governor Dickson is investing in the kingdom through his monthly Praise Night, Annual Thanksgiving to God and the construction of a magnificent 15, 000 -Seater Ecumenical Centre which has become a cynosure of all eyes.
He said: “The Aso Villa Chapel has mandated us to present to you, this unique Bible called the Legacy Bible by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN). This is presented to you specifically because of your Christian and spiritual activities towards the development of the gospel not only in Bayelsa State but in the entire nation. There was a time the President said we should all pray for the nation and we are seeing your annual thanksgiving service and the sanctuaries of God you have built. I have been in Bayelsa before to represent the Vice President when you built and commissioned the magnificent ecumenical centre. We are presenting this Bible to you as something that is befitting of such edifice and we pray that God will continue to bless Bayelsa and Nigeria.”
On what informed the gift, Malomo said as “a very religious nation,” it behoves on the clergy to “always support our leaders and we have seen in His Excellency, a leader who is committed in praying for this nation.
“We feel that when such thanksgiving is going on, such a powerful word of God, the Legacy Bible, a unique Bible in the whole world, is needed to guide such programmes so that the word of God will really be a blessing to the whole of Nigeria”, he said.
While thanking the delegation for the honour, Dickson pledged the readiness of Bayelsa State to continue to support the work of God, and called on the clergy not to relent in praying for those at the helm of affairs. He described the “Legacy Bible”, written in English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and Efik, as unique, stressing that no gift under the sun compares with the written word of God.
He said: “I want to appreciate you for this wonderful gift. This is one unique gift that will find a very special place in Bayelsa, in my family and in my heart. I want to urge you and all other people of faith to continue to pray for our nation and also pray for all of us who are in (position of) authority, for God to show us mercy and direction as a country and as a people.
“This gift is special and unique because there is no gift that is more important than the word of God. And the way and manner you have presented it is very important and wonderful. I assure you that Bayelsa will continue to support the Body of Christ. This is a period that calls for solidarity and I call on all people of good faith, who mean well for this country to stand in solidarity with all that is good, right and fair and to support all those that are in leadership positions to continue to do more for the sake of our people and the country.
“I appreciate the good work you are doing for the nation, praying not just for those in authority at the federal level but in deed for all leaders including the governors. And that is what the holy book enjoins you to continue to do, that is, to pray for all the leaders. That is what I take from this presentation. I will take the bible back to Bayelsa.
“I am appealing to the clergy to continue to pray and also call upon clergy men to continue to pray for our nation, the president and the vice president and all others in federal authority. They should continue to pray for governors like me and all of us in leadership,” the governor solicited.
Governor Dickson, it would be recalled built a 15, 000 ecumenical worship chapel in Bayelsa in 2017, every last week of the month is observed as Night of Praise and November 2 of every year is observed as Thanksgiving Day in Bayelsa State.
