Okowa Urges Christians to Live Righteous Life

As Christians all over the world celebrate Easter, Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said the celebration can only be complete when the people live righteous life

The governor who spoke at the 86th birthday celebration of Deaconess Esther Eruemulor at Church of God Mission, Agbor yesterday stated that Easter would be beneficial when there is true repentance.

“We should remember what this season represents, we are all sinners and with the realisation that our sins have been taken away, let us give our life totally to God, be obedient to God’s commandments and His teaching,” the governor who was accompanied to the service by his wife, Edith said.

He emphasised, “a wonderful Easter celebration can only be when you have given your life to God, by His (Jesus Christ) rising, we have all being lifted to the glory of God.”

The governor congratulated Deaconess Eruemulor, observing that she was a great mobiliser as a politician and wonderful mother, adding, “the greatest thing that God has done for the family is that Mama knew God and grew to become a Deaconess in the Church.” He also thanked her children for celebrating their mother. Bishop Mathew Iregbenye, of Church of God Mission, Benin City, had in a sermon, said the Angels did not remove the stone for Jesus to rise, but such was done for people to go in and confirm that He has risen.

“Jesus appeared to His disciples when everywhere was locked, all men die but, only Jesus Christ resurrected, God has come to redeem us, He gave us a place to rejoice, man left it and He came back again to give us life; except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” he stated.

Also yesterday, Okowa was at Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state where he attended the 90th birthday of Raphael Ezeoba, father of Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba (rtd), who was the 20th Chief of Naval Staff.

Okowa, his Edo State counterpart, Mr Godwin Obaseki, former Governor James Ibori, Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, among other personalities attended the chieftaincy title of Mrs Josephine Kachikwu, Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission at Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North local government area of the state.

She was conferred with Ochiligwe of Onicha-Ugbo and Ezinne of Oligbo Kingdom. that Nigeria would be great again, urged them to rededicate themselves to the service of their fatherland.

He described Easter as a period of sober reflection on the significance of the death of Jesus Christ and his great sacrifice to give humanity the hope of eternal life.

According to him, the exemplary life of Jesus Christ is a great lesson that must be emulated by all.

He advised Christians to continue to be tolerant of one another, show and promote love, as well as be advocates of peaceful coexistence.

In his sermon with theme: ‘The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: A Demonstration of divine love,” Lawrence Ekundayo said the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the greatest Christian doctrine that could be preached.

He said without resurrection, there would be no church, and every human being would have had to pass through depression.

“Depression is the first of the three major lessons of resurrection. Even Jesus went through depression.

“Our joy is that depression is not the end of life because the resurrection of Jesus demonstrates that no matter how bad a situation is, God has the capacity to change it for the better,” he said.

Ekundayo said that grief, as the second lesson, was not the end of every Christian, and nobody could translate beyond grief without Jesus Christ.

He also said the third lesson of resurrection proved that God had forgiven humanity of their sins, and without resurrection, reconciliation became impossible.

“Forgiveness is restricted and limited to Jesus. The only way to be forgiven our sins is through Christ; and for those not willing to receive Jesus, reconciliation does not extend to them.

“The major and highest message of resurrection is love. Resurrection is a demonstration of love and it shows that love is stronger than hatred,” he said.