THE Nigerian Baptist Convention, no doubt, is one of the oldest religious denominations in the country. lt is a community that represents Christ by proclaiming the gospel, discipline believers, caring and developing churches to be involved in holistic ministries. The Convention accepts the Bible as authority for faith and practice, confesses the deity and lordship of Jesus Christ and believes in salvation only by grace, through faith. It practises believers’ baptism, church membership of believers and the priesthood of all believers.
Recently, the National President of the Men’s Missionary Union (MMU), Nigeria Baptist Convention, Dr. Soye Asawo was in Asaba, the Delta State capital where he paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House, Asaba. Speaking during the visit, Dr. Asawo applauded Governor Oborevwori for his numerous achievements in infrastructural and human capital development across the state since he assumed office on May 29,2023.
He also commended Governor Oborevwori for his demonstration of uncommon Christian faith, despite the huge demands of public office, saying “we identify with you and commend you for the developmental strides witnessed in Delta State since your assumption of duties in just over one year in office.
“Your focus on capital projects, especially in road infrastructure, with important flyover projects in Warri and Effurun, including one at the ever busy PTI Junction, by a very reputable construction company, is worthy of commendation as it will be to the benefit of not only the citizens and residents of the state but millions of other Nigerians who ply that route annually.
“This is among several other projects and programmes in education, healthcare and human capacity development going on simultaneously in the state,” Asawo said while intimating the governor that this year’s convention holding in the serene city of Asaba, has as its theme; “Wonders without Numbers” (Job 9: 10), with emphasis on the awesome power of God to do the impossible in the lives of His people.
He disclosed that Delta last hosted the convention in 2011 in Sapele, noting that Asaba was chosen for this year’s convention because of the peaceful and serene environment; accessibility due to the good transportation network by air and road; high standard of the physical infrastructure to support large gatherings, a good road network, standard hotels, a world-class venue in the CAN Christian Centre and the hospitality of the people.
While quoting from the book of Esther Chapter 4 verses 13-15, Dr. Asawo said the visit would be incomplete without a charge on leaders to ensure the welfare of citizens in these hard times.
“Our visit will be incomplete if we do not use this opportunity to charge Your Excellency and through you, charge all public office holders in Nigeria from the scriptures.
“Our simple but profound charge to Your Excellency, therefore, is that it should not be lost on you at any point in your leadership that Nigerians today are suffering and God has brought you to leadership at such a time like this to become a solution to the needs of Nigerians,” he added.
Responding, Governor Oborevwori commended the MMU President for choosing Asaba for the 44th Convention, adding that Delta remained a peaceful and prayerful state.
“Listening to you and all the commendations about the peaceful and serene atmosphere we have here, the access to the venue and good means of transportation; we are very happy. Every year, as a mark of honour and dedication to God, the state government hosts a Praise and Prayer Day every May 29th”.
“It is our tradition and we will keep to it because that is why this state has been very peaceful and we will continue to do more for Deltans. We are doing our best and with the help of our fathers of faith who have continued to pray for us to succeed.
“We know that there is hardship but the people understand that we are doing our best in terms of infrastructure and human capital development. We recently had the MORE grant where we empowered 5,500 people. We also did palliatives and we will continue to do more to cushion the effect of the challenges being faced in the country. We cannot leave it for the presidency alone. They are doing their best and we are doing our best, too.
“As a prayerful state, we will continue to do our best to make sure that this place is peaceful. Our request is that we want you to continue to put us in prayers because that is the only way we can succeed. I want to thank the President of the Men’s Union Convention for choosing Delta State for the convention. It will give people who haven’t been here before, the opportunity to know Delta State,” Oborevwori said.
In a related development, Governor Oborevwori said his administration was working to leave a mark for future generations and not to please anyone but God. The governor disclosed this when he played host to the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke and his delegation at Government House, Asaba.
He said his administration has done a lot in the delivery of infrastructure and human capital development across the state and expressed optimism that he would continue to work for more progress and development in the state. According to him, when I came on board, I promised Deltans that we are going to do more because MORE is my agenda.
“We have done a lot but it is still not easy because there is hunger. Throughout the period of protest, Delta State was peaceful because we were praying during the protest. I am here to serve the people. I want to do what I will be remembered for so that by the time I leave, they will say he has done this and that. I am not here to please man but God.
“Before you leave, pray for God to bring permanent peace to Delta State because that is the only way development can come,” the governor said, even as he commended the PFN President and the church for praying and supporting his election, reiterating that Delta was peaceful throughout the protest because of the prayers of the church.
“As the PFN President, you stand in the position of a father to us in Nigeria and we know your capacity as a prayer warrior and I know that you are praying for this nation. As it is today, we need prayers so that we can succeed especially those in authority. Your prayers will always guide and order our steps to do what is right at all times.
“Your coming today is a blessing to the body of Christ in Delta State. You prayed for me when I was aspiring and the PFN in Delta State also stood by me. It was a challenging time but the will of God like I asked for, prevailed.
“When it was announced that I won 21 LGAs out of the 25 LGAs, it did not end there. There were series of court cases, 38 in number but God did it for us. Therefore, as you are here again, we seek your prayers against insecurity, for progress and above all, for peace and stability of our state and country,” he added.
Earlier, the PFN National President, Bishop Wale Oke told the governor that they were in Government House for a courtesy call and to honour him in line with the Biblical injunctions.
Bishop Wale, who applauded the developmental strides of the Oborevwori administration in the state, said they were in the state for the dedication of the state PFN secretariat where prayers would be offered for sustained peace and development in the state.
While saying that the secretariat was the largest State PFN secretariat in the country, he expressed appreciation to the state government for its role towards its realisation, even as he paid glowing tributes especially to the governor for contributing three bungalows in the secretariat.
Meanwhile, the PFN President appealed for the construction of standard drainage to tackle flooding challenge at the secretariat as well as the provision of transformer to enhance electricity supply in the secretariat.
