Emelam Udo, Umuahia.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has stated that he will explore proper channels of partnering with the church to add value to the lives of Abia people.
Governor Otti stated this at the climax of the activities marking the centenary anniversary celebration of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Eastern Nigeria Union Conference, held at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.
“We shall therefore collectively explore proper channels of partnership where the government can work with the church and other interested organisations to expand the frontiers of learning for millions of our young ones whose future, I am very passionate about.”he said.
Otti added ” Our government will also be keen to partner with the church in social service areas, particularly health and poverty alleviation, especially for our women in rural communities.”
He reiterated his commitment to serving Abia people with fear of God and ensure alleviation of poverty among the people.
The Abia Chief Executive who commended the education investments of the church in the State also added “our government, just like the church, is very much interested in education, which in my experience and conviction, presents the surest path to overcoming the burden of poverty and the bondages that come with ignorance.”
According to Governor Otti ,his decision to go into public service was “in clear furtherance of the conviction I picked up as a child that the best way to live is to serve others in selflessness, and with compassion.”
Otti appreciated God for His immense blessings to the church and thanked the church for sustaining the efforts of the early fathers of the faith who brought the church to Eastern Nigeria.
He noted that the journey for the next 100 years had begun while advising the church members that it is time they reconsidered their priorities, especially in the light of the theme of this centenary celebration, “Almost Home.”
“It is our duty as Adventists to be conscious of the time we are living in and always be mindful of eternity because the earth, with all its attractions and glory, is not our home,”he asserted.
He further said “Today’s convocation is in grateful thanksgiving to God for what He has used this mission to achieve in several communities across this land in education, health and other social services since 1923.”
In his sermon on the theme “Almost Home”, taken from Philipians 3:12-13, the world leader and General Conference President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Ted Wilson, urged Christians to focus on the mission of Jesus Christ and ensure that they make it to heaven in the end.
He reminded the Adventist members as they celebrated the centenary anniversary that they should know that Jesus might not wait for the next 100 years to come, hence the need for them not to allow anything including, political differences, economic challenges or social violence to distract them from the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Don’t let the devil distract you from your mission, for we are almost at home. Do not allow anything to distract you from your mission or your goal”,he admonished.
Wilson thanked Governor Otti for taking special attention for the beautification of the Enyimba International Stadium for the event as well as ensuring that the sound system was top notch for the centenary anniversary celebration.
