From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again called on people of the state to imbibe thanksgiving as a way of life, describing gratitude to God as the foundation for sustained peace, progress and divine intervention.
Governor Diri made the call at the maiden edition of the Ekeremor Local Government Area Thanksgiving Day tagged EKELGA Annual Day held in Ekeremor Town, headquarters of the LGA, at the weekend.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the Governor urged Bayelsans to express joy openly and cultivate a lifestyle of praise and appreciation to God for His mercies and blessings, particularly the gift of life.
He referenced Psalm 150 and the story of the Ten Lepers healed by Jesus Christ while emphasizing the need for the people to always thank God, noting that an attitude of gratitude will only increase their altitude for God’s manifold blessings and deliverance from evil.
Senator Diri further advised the people to appreciate God not only for answered prayers, but also for those unanswered, which he described as part of God’s plan for bigger miracles.
His words: “Thanksgiving is a way to acknowledge God’s mercies and blessings in our lives. God’s mercy is what keeps us alive and delivers us from evil. That is why the disciples prayed, ‘Deliver us from evil,’ because evil is everywhere.
“The help of God is evident in our gathering here today. We must thank Him for overcoming evil together. We should be grateful for the prayers that have been answered, even when you are not aware of all of them.
“Thanksgiving increases your altitude and when that happens, more blessings come from God. Let’s consider the story of the ten Lepers.Out of the ten lepers that were healed, only one came back to thank Jesus. God expects gratitude from us, and when we thank Him, He gives us more,
“Sometimes, unanswered prayers are part of God’s plan for bigger miracles. We must even thank Him for what we think He did not give us,” he said.
The governor commended the chairmen and legislative arms of Ekeremor and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Councils for domesticating the Bayelsa State Annual Thanksgiving Day Law in their areas.
The Bayelsa helmsman, who called on other local government areas in the state to emulate the two councils in order to promote the culture of appreciation to God, however, expressed concern over people turning thanksgiving into an avenue for financial requests.
“I want other local governments to follow this example so that we can sustain the culture of showing gratitude to the Almighty God for His blessings upon us as a people.
“But thanksgiving should not be a time to seek or ask money from people. That attitude undermines the spiritual significance of the day,” he warned.
Earlier in his address, the Executive Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mr Isaac Onniye, said the thanksgiving celebration was instituted to unite the people and acknowledge God’s role in the creation and survival of the council over three decades ago.
Hon. Onniye explained that February 28 was set aside through an act of legislation as Ekeremor Annual Thanksgiving Day to ensure continuity of the programme as well as promote unity, peace and spiritual growth.
He said: “Today, after Thirty Five years of the creation of Ekeremor Local Government Area, we have gathered to thank the Almighty God for our existence and to attract more blessings and opportunities from the King of Glory.
“As we give thanks, we will continue to pray for unity, peace and progress and bring up our youths in the way of the Lord.”
Citing Malachi Chapter 3 Verse 6from the Holy Bible, the guest speaker, General Stephen Odede, described God as unchanging and faithful, whose greatness and faithfulness have not diminished over time.
While thanking the state government and Ekeremor Local Council for setting a day aside for thanksgiving, he enjoined the people to express gratitude to God with a cheerful heart to attract and sustain His continuous blessings and transformation.
“Those who come to God with thanksgiving will experience a change in their story because God inhabits and expects our praises,” Odede declared.
People from all walks of life ranging from traditional rulers, women, youths and prominent politicians, including the Member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Chief Fred Agbedi, former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi, the member representing Ekeremor Constituency 1, Hon Tare Porri, his Sagbama Constituent 3 counterpart, Mrs Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, the Head of Service, Dr Wisdom Sawyer, commissioners and other top government functionaries attended the event.
