Says Onyeme’s Loyalty 100 Percent
BY SAM DUVWODE
DELTA State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has urged Nigerians to reflect on the power of unity and peace as the prerequisites for growth and development of the country.
Governor Oborevwori gave the charge at the 60th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of the State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme at St. Phillips Anglican Church, Asaba yesterday.
While commending the celebrant for his medical outreach in the course of the celebration, he maintained that the nation’s future is bright, but the people must work together in peace and unity for the development of the country.
He said “today, we have come to celebrate a very reliable and dependable brother, very loyal and dedicated Deputy Governor. “My brother Onyeme, we are happy that you came to church first to give thanks to God before the merriment that follows.
“Whatever you have achieved today, it is not by your power, God did them. I love the fact that you did medical outreach and touched lives. God will continue to bless you for putting the people first.
“Your loyalty is not 99 percent but 100 percent and I appreciate you on this special day for your support. I am very happy to work with you as my deputy governor.
“As we celebrate you today, we also celebrate the values you stand for, which is hard work, integrity and pursuit of excellence. You have given so much to Delta State and I know you will continue to do more.
“To my fellow Deltans and Nigerians, this is a time to reflect on the power of unity because it is good for us to be united and dedicated for our common good.
“Let us continue to support one another, work together for progress and uphold the values that will make our state and nation greater.
“The future is bright when we commit ourselves to selfless service just as Onyeme has exemplified. My prayer for you is that God will continue to bless you and give you joy and strength to continue to serve our people “On behalf of my family, the government and the good people of Delta State, I celebrate you on this special occasion.
May your years on earth continue to be blessed.” On security, Governor Oborevwori said, “the service Chiefs are here, we work together. What happen in other states does not happen here. Some of them are media stunts, but we will improve more.”
Archdeacon and Vicar of the church, Ven. Felix Okonkwo, in his sermon, described thanksgiving as an “expression of gratitude or appreciation to God for what he has done in our lives.
“Thanksgiving could also be in advance of what we are expecting God to do in our life”.He described Onyeme’s political trajectory as the finger of God in action, adding that “when you appreciate God for what He has done, you open doors for more.”
Governor Oborevwori, who noted that he has come with Deltans to celebrate a very reliable and dependable brother who is very loyal, very dedicated, said; “My brother, Sir Ony- eme, loyalty is not 99%, it is 100%. it has to be 100% and you have that 100%. Your loyalty has been 100%.”
“On this special day, I sincerely appreciate you, my dear deputy governor for your constant support, loyalty and commitment to our shared vision of a greater Delta State, your sacrifices and contributions are deeply valued and I am happy to work with you as my deputy governor.”
“My brother Onyeme, one thing that you have done, that we are happy about. If you had called me to say, let’s come and celebrate without coming to church, I will not attend, but because you have come to the house of God, this is the main thing, to give thanks to God for what He has done for you in your life, how you started your life, how you were supported even in the North, up to the university community, from there you became a chairman and today by the grace of God, you are the Deputy Governor of Delta State.”
“It is not by your power, but it is by the will of God, and fulfilment of your destiny, because God uses people and I am happy for you today.”
The governor while appreciating the free medical out- reach embarked upon the Sir Onyeme, as part of activities marking his birthday, said; “You did something that is remarkable, even with other engagement, you went around doing some free medical outreach across the Delta North, it is heartwarming and something that is good.”
“Even with your engagement in Abuja, you attended and returned to continue the outreach, God will continue to bless you in all you are doing, because it is not just about you, but it is about the people.”
The Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme and wife Ezinne Catherine, read the first and second lessons, respectively, at the thanksgiving service which was attended by Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; Senator Dr Akon Eyakenyi (Akwa-Ibom), and Samuel Ode (Benue).
Immediate past Governor of the State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, State Chairman of the Peoples Demo- cratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Arenyeka, members of the National Assembly and members of the State House of Assembly, were also in attendance.
“The people first, and we are in this journey together, and I want to refer you to Bible that reminds us in Psalm 37: 23, that, “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord”. Indeed God has guided your path, He has given you the strength to serve with excellence, your dedication to duty is an example to many.”
“As we celebrate you today, we also celebrate the values you stand for which is hard work, integrity and pursuit of excellence. You have given so much to Delta State and I known you will continue to do more in the years ahead.”
“My prayers for you my brother Onyeme, is that God will continue to bless you with good health, wisdom, Joy and strength to keep on serving our people. On this special oc- casion I want to declare upon your life, the blessings of the book of Numbers 6:24-26, which says that; “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up is countenance upon you and give you peace, you will have peace in Jesus name.”
“On behalf of my family, the government and good people of Delta State, I celebrate you on this very special occasion, may your years ahead be filled with Favour, good health and even greater impact”. Oborevwori stated.
Thgovernor who thanked the deputy governor from Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom and Benue States, for coming to celebrate with the State Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, prayed God to bless them for the show of love.
Earlier, in his homily, Rt. Rev’d Kingsley Obuh, the Bishop, Diocese of Asaba, said thanksgiving was a way to show appreciation to the Almighty God for what He has done and for what we hope to get from God.
