It was all joy and excitement at Obonoma Community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, as the King of Obonoma, his Council of Chiefs, the undergraduates of the community amongst others rolled out drums to celebrate God’s faithfulness and successful entry into the new year.
The programme which took place at Glorious Baptist Church, Obonoma, on Sunday, January 2, 2022, was put together to appreciate God for His faithfulness and abundant mercies upon the people of Obonoma.
The Amayanabo of Obonoma, HRM, King Enenimibo-ofori Dateme, Obonoma IX, said the presence and finger of God have been very visible to them as a community, noting that the growth, survival and expansion of the community indeed are miraculous.
The royal father thanked God for being so gracious to them from the beginning of 2021 to the end of the year, the serene and harmonious atmosphere recorded during the yuletide and the glorious entry into 2022.
While relating the faithfulness of God in the lives of his people, he said numerous achievements by the community were made possible because of the grace of God in Obonoma Community.
He said that the essence of involving the undergraduates of the community was to give them sense of belonging, and alert them to their responsibilities as the leaders of tomorrow, adding that henceforth the community leaders will be holding meetings with the students to know the areas where they need assistance and to also give them directions.
An interactive session was held shortly after the thanksgiving service to brainstorm on way forward for the community. Issues discussed include extension of the new road recently constructed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, developing the local economy of the place by bringing in some agricultural processing units or businesses that would help to generate income within the community.
Others include; regular sanitation to clear the bushes and grasses within the community, how to institute a scholarship scheme for the youths and how to build a befitting palace for its kings.
King Dateme said the community intend to interface with some government agencies, cooperate bodies and individuals for assistance to improve the living standard of the people of Obonoma Community.
Chief Mpakaboari S. George said the thanksgiving service has become a forum of unity for the community, where they meet at the beginning of the year to discuss issues that are pertinent to the development of the community.
He also pledge the sun of N50,000 to each youth from the four major compounds that make up the community, while full school fees of N120,000 will be paid to a female student from Agu’s compound.
Deacon Faith Lawson Jack, the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) Obonoma, said that before the emergence of King Dateme, the community was into idol worshipping but since the king ascended the throne and dedicated the community to God, tremendous progress has been recorded. “Looking at what God has done in this community, the King, his Council of Chiefs and the entire community resolved to appreciate God annually for His goodness and mercies, because a grateful heart secures God’s attention which in turn attracts supernatural favour,” he said.
