Presiding Bishop of Chapel of Freedom International, Lokoja, Dr. John Ibenu, has congratulate the people of Kogi state on the 32nd anniversary of the state’s creation.
Fielding questions from newsmen in Lokoja on Monday, Bishop Ibenu said the creation of Kogi state was a dream that many pursued for decades until it became a reality.
The senior Christian citizen said “We have done well so far but we can do better. We are not yet there.”
“We are a very unique people that came together. We were together before we separated then we came back again. We have a very unique identity, unique unity and cohesion. I want to particularly observe the brotherhood that exist among us. Let us continue to maintain that, we should not allow anyone to divide us. We should not let any interest divide us. Let us work together for a better tomorrow.”
On the November 2023 governorship election in the state, the former State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged candidates to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.
“Yes, there may be competition. Competition is as old as human existence. The first two children as recorded in the Bible, Cain and Abel got involved in competition. When we come down to the sons of Isaac, Jacob and Esau had competition. Rachael and Leah, they had competition. The children of Jacob as well, they had competition. Competition is as old as humanity. If you are do not have competitive interest, it means you do not really exist because every human want something. Let us keep our competition very healthy, very Godly, very fair, very just and let us eschew violence. Let us do everything we can to have love and unity.
“2023 is our year of election and our governorship poll is coming in November. I want us to approach our electioneering with the spirit of sportsmanship, with the fear of God and spirit of brotherliness. Let us do all that we want to do in the fear of God and I ask everyone to pray for Kogi state, pray for the government, pray for INEC, our politicians and above all, let us pray for the will of God; that God will give to us what will be best for us,” he admonished.
Bishop Ibenu congratulated “the government of the day for their efforts on bringing Kogi state from where they met it to where we are right now.”
“We can be better, we are going to be better and I encourage everyone to bring their hands on board. I am a man who is always open to improvement and I call on everyone where ever they are; if you have any idea that can move us forward, bring it and let’s put it together.
“Everybody cannot be at the top. In a whole body, there is only one head, but the head cannot carry itself from one place to another. It takes the leg. Everybody have something to offer – the leg has something to offer, the hand something to offer, the eye has something to offer, nobody is unimportant. Everybody is important. Let us work together to be better.”
