The Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Rivers State chapter has expressed gratitude to the Rivers State government for donating foodstuffs including tubers of yam, bags of rice, beans, garri and salt as well as Indomie noddles, gallons of cooking oil and crates of fish to them.
Receiving the materials, the CAN chairman, Most Special Apostle Stanley Dimkpa who led the five (5) other family heads of the body alongside the state executive and the Local Government Area representatives at the CAN state secretariat in Port Harcourt over the weekend thanked Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the palliative distribution committee led by Amb. Desmond Akawor for considering them for the gesture.
He made it clear that the government’s gift to the Christian association group is highly imperative and the surest means of reaching out to the majority of Rivers people since Rivers State is dominated by Christians.
According to him, “Religion is the only unifying factor in the state as tribalism and politics have created dichotomy among the residents of the state,” he said.
He thanked God Almighty for the gift of Wike as the Rivers State Governor against the plots and conspiracus of the enemies especially during the 2019 general election.
“I have always say that his electoral victory is an act of God. We all know what happened at the last election, if not for God he wouldn’t have been governor again,” he said.
Dr Dimkpa made it know that the position Governor Wike occupies is a victory for the children of God, Rivers people and above all, for a special services to God.
He thanked the governor for the demonstration of his love to the Christendom, adding that giving of alms is part of religious exercise and worship to God. “The gift to the churches and Christian community is a gift to God”.
He prayed that anyone according to Matt. 19 Vs 29, who makes sacrifices for His name sake should be rewarded a hundred fold.
“In like manner His Excellency and his cabinet members because of this gesture, their reward would be enormous, their blessings exceeding and go beyond their expectation,” he decreed.
The CAN chairman used the opportunity to commend the governor for what he described as his doggedness and proactive measures in fighting the deadly coronavirus pandemic spread to ensure the protection of Rivers people and residents, especially the inter-state boundary closure which he noted, was criticized, misunderstood and resisted but eventually emulated by other states, later.
He made it known that Governor Wike’s efforts was responsible for the reduction in the number of recorded cases of the COVID-19 scourge in the state, adding that the governor’s love for the things of God was responsible for his reluctance to close the churches and mosques completely unlike some other states of the federation.
He said the governor has instead continuously encouraged Christians to upheld and comply to the NCDC regulations in their various churches.
“From day one Governor Wike has been reluctant to stop the worship of God because he understands the efficacy and importance of prayers in the affairs of men and the authorities directed us to worship with a maximum of 50 persons and presently to 70,” he said.
Apostle Dimkpa prayed that God Almighty through the prayers of the Christians will direct the affairs of Rivers State and ensure the fast disappearance of the dreaded COVID-19 Pandemic.
Earlier, the State coordinator of the palliative; distribution committee, Amb. Akawor and his team delivered the foodstuffs to the religious leaders and promised them more collaborative effort in the interest and peace of everyone.
Also speaking later with newsmen, the State coordinator of the CAN COVID-19 implementation Committee, Pastor Ekiye C. Ekiye while also expressing appreciation to the Rivers State government confirmed that the relief materials was amicably shared among the families of CAN as directed.
According to him, “every member of the Christian community was satisfied the way and manner the materials were shared.
I equally thanked the CAN leadership for ensuring that even the passersby who came around were attended to. You know there is hunger everywhere and we cannot afford to overlook them. The committee chairman who is the General Overseer of Agapelove Community Church, Rumuokwachi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area said.
“As at today we have not received any complaint from any quarter over the sharing, it was a big feat by the State CAN leadership as both the Church leaders and workers in their various families and denomination all expressed satisfaction,” he said.
On the challenges faced by his committee, Pastor Ekiye said it was only the task of conveying the materials from the government warehouse to the CAN secretariat and ensuring the amicable distribution of it without any problem.
He used the opportunity however to commend Governor Wike for his magnanimity to the churches as well as his proactive efforts in fighting the coronavirus pandemic to ensure that Rivers people and residents stay safe.
The man of God advised that the brotherly love and unity established should continue.
“We must continue to partner and work together with the Wike administration in the interest and peace of the State especially through prayers over issues that would advance the state and the body of Christ,” he declared.
He stated further that the COVID-19 scourge calls for concern by everybody to support the Wike administration through prayers as according to him, “it is only divine intervention that can avert the impending danger of the pandemic.
