The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has called for greater unity in the body of Christ to enable the Church fulfill its divine purpose in the state and the country at large.
Governor Diri made the call on Monday at the inauguration of the new State Executive Council of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Bayelsa State Chapter, held at the Redeemed Glory Family Church, Agudama-Epie, Yenagoa.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, said there is great strength in unity, stressing that there is nothing the body of Christ cannot achieve in the service of God and humanity when united.
He noted that the level of unity God requires in the contemporary Church is lacking, adding that there is too much bickering, greed and quest for personal aggrandizement within the Church.
Diri said for unity to thrive, there must be sacrifice, love and acceptance of one another regardless of denominational differences for the Church to continue to make impact in society.
While acknowledging the longstanding relationship between the Church and government, the governor said it was necessary for the pulpit to preach the true gospel and speak truth to power without fear.
“There is much strength in unity. As long as the body of Christ is united, there is nothing we cannot achieve. The devil knows this and that is why he fights the unity of the Church to make it impossible for it to achieve its purpose.
“Unity comes with sacrifice. Somebody must let go for unity to stand. There is too much bickering in the Church and the noise in our politics has practically overflowed into the Church.
“The tenets we propagate in society as a Church are vital to its perception. Therefore, preach the real gospel to the people around you. Take a non-partisan approach to boldly tell leaders the truth,” he said.
He congratulated the outgone executive council led by Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Opelema and the newly inaugurated leadership, expressing confidence that the new executive would foster greater relationship within the body of Christ in the state.
Inaugurating the new executive council, the South-South Vice Chairman of CAN, Rev. Fr. Victor Ofili, commended the Bayelsa State chapter for its unity and for meeting its financial obligations at the national level.
Ofili appealed to the Bayelsa State Government to sustain its support to CAN at both state and regional levels.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of CAN, Bayelsa State Chapter, Rev. Abili Samuel Abili, pledged to lead the association with humility and a high sense of responsibility.
Rev. Abili commended the Governor Douye Diri-led administration for being a dependable partner of CAN and for creating a conducive atmosphere for the body of Christ to thrive.
He also appreciated his predecessor, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Opelema, for the foundation he laid and thanked stakeholders across the five blocs of CAN for giving him the opportunity to serve.
Other members of the new executive council are Bishop Dotimi Egbegi, Vice Chairman; Rev. Fr. Raymond Ogiramkopu Ogio, Secretary; and Senior Apostle Michael Makpa, Treasurer.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Chief Fred Agbedi; Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Mr. Bulodisiye Ndiwari; Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia; and South-South Secretary of CAN, Bishop Lazarus Azia, among others.
