The State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the Government and good People of Rivers State would sorely miss Rev. Stephen Oluwole Akinola, the Founder and General Superintendent of Redemption Ministries World Wide.
Governor Wike made this assertion during the Funeral Service in honour of Rev. Stephen Akinola at the Church Auditorium on Saturday, 6th November 2021.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo Governor Wike said the State would sorely miss his fatherly role, his forthrightness, his speaking truth to power and his high regard for God’s purpose, adding that the State would never forget the massive contributions he made to the spiritual growth of the State.
Governor Wike who stressed that the State was truly blessed because; Rev. Akinola domiciled his headquarters in the State. Further said “We cannot forget his hard work, his toil, his compassion and his determination to draw out men and women from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, a true servant of the Almighty God, God’s General”.
The Governor said he was creative in evangelism using tools, such as the annual Wind and Fire Conference, Suya Night, the Campus Daniels, Voice of Destiny and the Thunderbolt Crusade Initiative to win souls for Christ.
According to the Governor, the Office of the Deputy Governor is collaborating with Redemption Ministries in the setting up of Cottage Industries, stressing that last year Rev. Akinola personally, supervised the training of over 3,677 youths in various skills and led a good number of them to Christ.
In his Sermon, drawn from Prov. 3: 5 the Guest Preacher Rev. Uma Ukpai who urged the children of God to put their trust in the Almighty God extoled the sterling qualities of Rev. Stephen Akinola whom he described as an embodiment of simplicity, honesty humility and a man of few words who was given to us by the Almighty God.
Ministrations from various groups were some of the highlight of the occasion which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life.
