…speaks on Maritime University location issue
…Ijaw Nation Have Benefited A lot From This Programme – Rev. Imeleye
The Executive Council of Izon Christian Fellowship (ICF) has picked Saturday 13th January, 2018 for their 21st Ijaw Day of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving with ‘The Prince of Peace’ as the theme for this year’s programme.
The ICF Chairman, Reverend Emmanuel Imeleye, disclosed this on Sunday, January 7, at the end of the National Executive Council meeting in Warri, Delta State.
He said that this year Izon Day would hold at the Alaowei Broderick Bozimor’s compound at St Luke School road, adjacent GTBank, off Airport road, Warri, Delta State by 9:00am prompt.
According to the Chairman, this year’s programme was initially slated for Saturday 6th January, 2018 as it has always been the first Saturday of January but has to be shifted as a result of the planned local council election in the state which coincided with the date.
Speaking with GbaramatuVoice shortly after the ICF Executive meeting, the ICF Chairman, Rev. Imeleye, stated that the Izon Nation has every reason to thank God Almighty for all the milestones God has helped them to achieve while adding that they will equally use the opportunity to pray to God, the Prince of Peace to visit the Ijaw people as they are currently in need of peace.
In his words, “We are saying that in Niger Delta and Ijaw Nation, we need the Prince of Peace to access peace into our kingdoms, into the region and also to unseat oppression and opposition. We will not go violent but we will go spiritual violent, that is why we are bringing all Ijaw sons and daughters to come together to praise God and thank Him for the great things He has done for us.”
Giving details, the man of God stated that they now have a Federal University, the maritime university that is situated at Okerenkoko; there is also the Deep Sea Port in Gbaramatu, and the EPZ project that will employ not less than 5, 000 sons and daughters and there are other programmes currently ongoing such as the massive dredging in Egbema axis of the state. So, to the Ijaws, we have to be grateful to God, the chairman explained.
While urging all the Izon traditional rulers and all Izon sons and daughters to be in attendance, the chairman added that they have invited an anointed man of God to anchor the programme in the person of Rev. Dr. O. J. Agbarah.
On the significance of the programme, Rev. Imeleye stressed that the blessings and revelation they have received through the programme has been monumental.
He further pointed out that it was at the 10th year event that a prophecy emerged that an Ijaw man will rule Nigeria and they saw that happening during the Jonathan time, who without an election and campaigning, was sworn in as President.
“Even our host, Alaowei Broderick Bozimor; it was prophesied that he would become a minister, and it equally came to pass.”
On ICF position on the renaming of the Maritime University, he advised the Ijaws and the Itsekiris to tow the part of peace.
“Like what the Psalmist said, we should be wiser than our enemies. The outsiders of Niger Delta will not motivate us to fight ourselves. We know this terrain and we know who we are. There is no village anywhere called Okerenghigho. And so, they know and we know. This university is for all of us and we will benefit from it,” he opined.
He finally advised that both the Ijaws and Itsekiris should work together to ensure we push the hand of the enemies away from us.
“They will not push us to fight. In 1997, Abacha changed the location of the local government from Ogbe-Ijoh to Ogidigben, and that was the beginning of the Warri crises. To these people, we are wiser, but we will stand to ensure that justice is done.”
Other Speakers at the occasion includes the former chairman of the group, Bishop Godwin Soroaye, who also spoke on the Maritime University issue.
He said; ”To the glory of God, the Maritime University has come to stay and nobody can change it. Whether you call the community whatever name, it won’t work. We have Okerenkoko; a lot of persons have visited, even the House of Representatives visited the area and they saw it for themselves.
”I think our neighbours, the Itsekiris are only trying to cause confusion among ourselves and also being selfish, Like my colleague said, it is for every one of us. PTI is there. It is not only for the Urhobo people that are in that location. Everybody is benefiting it – the Ijaws, Itsekiris, Urhobos, Ukwales, all the tribes are there. So we are not going to fight, but nobody can push us to the wall.
”My own perspective is this, if you push me to the wall, I will turn back. The Ijaws are always at the receiving end. Our brothers have been always offensive. We have been calm and we will remain calm. God Himself has been fighting our battles and He will still fight this one for us. We are not going to fight, but they should not push us to the wall. The Maritime University is located at Okerenkoko and there is no place called Okerenghigho”.
Present at the unveiling ceremony are Rev. Imeleye Emmanuel, Chairman, Izon Christian Fellowship, Delta State Chapter; Pst Preye Foh, Vice Chairman; Bishop Dr. Godwin Soroaye JP, National Publicity Secretary;
Others are Bishop (Dr) Elijah Likibe JP, Rev (Mrs) Stella Soroaye, Pst. Edwin K. Biayeibo JP, Apostle Mike Ubebe PhD, Evang. Fred Tonwe, and Bishop Felix E. Piniki.
Dignitaries expected to grace the event include but not limited to; the Deputy Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Barr (Deacon) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro; Rev. Dr. O. J. Agbarah, guest speaker; Rev. Dr. I. C. Tolar, grand patron; and all Traditional Fathers as the royal fathers of the day.
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