Presiding Bishop, Chapel of Freedom International Churches, Lokoja, Dr. John Ibenu, has congratulated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on his first year in office.
Speaking with newsmen after Sunday service in Lokoja, Bishop Ibenu call for more support and prayers for the Governor.
Appraising the last one year of the Ododo-led administration, the cleric said there are reasons to thank God for the vision, disposition and pragmatic efforts of the government towards developing the state.
“There is no government but as such as is ordained by God. So, I ask everyone to pray for, assist and cooperate with the government. Let’s join our hands to make Kogi state a better place that what it is.
“So far, so good. What Governor Usman Ododo is doing, in terms of salary and taking care of the pensioners, as well as infrastructural development and the peace we are witnessing is worth commendation.
“I want to commend his efforts – for the payment of WAEC fees for students and several other initiatives. He is a peaceful person.
“Everything we are seeing can be better,” he said.
Bishop encouraged citizens to pray because it can always be better. He prayed that God will use the Governor to make the state better, unite the people more than before.
“All the tribes in Kogi state are one family. The Bible, in the book of Acts chapter 17, says all human beings descended from Adam, meaning we are brothers and sisters. Whether you are Igala, Okun, Ebira, Bassa, Kakanda or Nupe, we are from one blood – Adam. I ask that God will give him the wisdom to unite all of us.
“So, I want to congratulate Governor Ododo for one year in office, commend him for what he has been doing so far, but we can always be better. May God give him the knowledge, wisdom, understanding, discretion and discernment to lead better,” Bishop Ibenu said.


A guest minister in the church, Rev Simon Olusegun Daramola of the World Outreach Help Ministry, based in Kaduna, also commended Governor Ododo for his achievements in the last one year in office.
“I am not based in Lokoja, though an indigene. To be sincere, this governor has done well based on what we hear from people – from students to civil servants. The people are talking exceptionally good about him for what he has done in the last one year.
“I will advise him to do more. He can do better, especially by uniting all of us, regardless of the tribe anyone belongs to. He should be fair and just.
“He has started well and we pray that he sustain the tempo. We, as stakeholders, will continue to pray for him and his family, for good health and that the government will prosper. I pray he will do better. I pray he does not change from how he started,” Rev Daramola said.