Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and wife, Dame Edith Okowa were among dignitaries that joined Chief Nkem Okwuofu, a renowned Delta political leader, in thanksgiving service, as she appreciated God for saving and healing her from sickness.
The thanksgiving service which was held on Sunday, 2nd May, 2021 at the Cathedral Church Of Saint Peters, Bishop’s Court, Asaba, was officiated by the Bishop of Asaba diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev’d Justus Mogekwu.
The service was also attended by the Minority leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District at the Senate, Senator James Manager, former Deputy Governor of the State, Chief Benjamin Elue, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the former speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Victor Ochei.
Also at the Thanksgiving service were the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ochor Christopher Ochor, the Member representing Aniocha North in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi and other members of the State House of Assembly.
Members of the State Executive Council, including the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chiedu Ebie, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoyi, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye , Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyenga and Commissioner for Housing, Chief Festus Ochonogor, were also amongst the attendees.
The State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olorogun Barr. Kingsley Esiso and other top leaders of the ruling party in the state as well as other top Delta State Government officials completed a high profile list of those who were also in attendance.
In his message at the Thanksgiving service, Rt. Rev’d Justus Mogekwu, said that God, in His Mercy, brought back Nkem Okwuofu from the valley of the shadow of Death, saying that her healing and surviving from an ailment was through the Mercy and kindness of God.
The highly charismatic bishop of the Anglican Communion, briefly narrated the ordeal Chief Okwuofu passed through and said that she has come back to the fellowship of the living, noting that the prayers of the saints kept her alive.
He congratulated Chief Okwuofu and said that not many that passed through her kind of ordeal came out alive, even as he said that God allows ugly situations at times, on his children with a view to arresting their attention, especially, when success and other positive events are posing a sort of hindrance between Him and His Children.
While admonishing Chief Okwuofu to continue to dedicate her life to God and humanity, Rt. Rev’d Mogekwu called on leaders in the Country to be close to God as it would greatly go a long way in helping in the promotion of genuine service to God and humanity.
He advised those dwelling in sin to turn a new leaf by forsaking sinful life style that leads to condemnation.
Mogekwu said every second was important because death could occur at any time unexpectedly, adding that the best way to avoid being caught unawares was to be holy at all times.
In her testimony shortly after giving thanks to God for saving her, Okwuofu said that she was on oxygen for so many days while at the hospital.
She said that she heard the voice of God telling her to go back while she was on the hospital bed, and stated that it was from that moment that she started recovering.
“I heard a voice saying to me ‘go back’ while on the hospital bed and it was from that moment that I started recovering.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank God for saving my life. I also want to thank Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife, Dame Edith, for their immense show of love and prayers for me throughout my stay in the hospital.
“Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei did not allow partisan politics to sever my relationship with him. He is an APC member while I am of the PDP. He is my son and throughout the period I had a healthy challenge, he kept showing great concern towards my early recovery. I am grateful to him.
“I thank everybody that prayed for my quick recovery, including Hon. Ndudi Elumelu who insisted that I should be taken abroad for treatment. All I owe God is to continue to worship Him all the days of my life,” she said.
A rousing reception was later held at the Delta State Event Center with the duo of Pastor Powell and George lighting the event with their exquisite jokes.
Leaders of Aniocha North Local Government area that included; Chief Ada Kachikwu, Chief Emma Chinye, Prof. Sylvester Monye, Hon. Dr. Charles Ochei, Chief Emma Eboh, Chief Cal Nwawolo, Chief Jaunty Okwudi, Chief Michael Osuoza, Hon. Peter Okonkwo, Hon. Kevin Okwechime, Hon. Princess Tina Amuamuziam, Hon. Chuks Oseme, Dr. Mike Nwoko, Engr. Fidel Onwodi, the Deputy Leader and members of the Local Government legislative arm, were fully on ground as a show of honour to Chief Nkem Okwuofu who is from the Local Government area.
