Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Tarabans have been urge to imbibe the spirit of thanking God in the year 2024.
Governor Kefas Agbu stated this during a New Year thanksgiving service organize by the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Taraba State Chapter, held at the CAN Sectariate, Jalingo.
He appreciated the people of the state for their spirit of unity which he said is the strength for development.
“The service provides the opportunity to reflect on the blessings of the past years and look forward to opportunities ahead
He recognized God for His unwavering grace and guidance throughout the previous year.
He thanked CAN for its role in ensuring peace and stability in the state.
He assured Tarabans of his unalloyed commitment to building a society acceptable to all Tarabans and said he is going to create a platform for Young people to harness their potential.
In his sermon, the Guest Preacher, Very Rev. Father Williams Peter Awoshiri, who took his text from Luke chapter 17: 9-19 and spoke on the theme Give Thanks to the Lord, said Taraba State has a cause to appreciate God and that thanksgiving brings about increase and multiple blessings.
He reminded the Governor to strive to contain negative social vices confronting the state including insecurity, banditry, and kidnapping.
The Guest Preacher told the Governor that all eyes were on him hence the need for him to strive not to fail the state.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Taraba State Chapter, Rev. Dr. Isaiah Magaji Jirapiye, appreciated God Almighty for bringing Tarabans and safely, peacefully, full of blessings and victoriously into the year of the Lord 2024.
“I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously the horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea” Exodus 15:1, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds to the people!” Ps. 105:1.
“Indeed we are all here this hour to give thanks to God Almighty our Creator for all His goodness unto us, for sparing us and ordering our steps into 2024, the year of great wonders from the Lord who is mighty amidst us, the year of unprecedented development in all facets of life in Taraba State.
He salute Governor Kefas and his wife, Spiritual, Political and Traditional leaders and Indeed every Taraban especially the Church of the Lord and those who trusted the Church for guidance.
I thank Tarabans for offering themselves to serve God and humanity in a time like this.
“May the Lord reward you greatly and bless you richly in Jesus name.
“Above all I give thanks to God Almighty for being our Ebenezer to this point in time especially in Taraba State.
“As we give Him thanks, we establish and cement our relationship with Him into eternity. Amen.
“By His mercy and grace, you will see His glory in Jesus name. Amen.
“We all need to seek after His will in faith and never to give up.
“Challenges may come but be rest assured that He has won the battle on your behalf already.
He encourage the Governor and his wife to be strong and resolute in governance and continue in the might you began with.
“Tarabans see you as the blessed one for the moment and the game changer by His grace.
“We have seen the finger of God in your administration and we urge you to go on with the good governance experienced already.
He appeal to the Governor to let thanksgiving break forth among the political class in the State as you plan to do soonest.
“To everyone of us, I implore you to stand with the administration in the place of prayer as it is clearly stated in the scriptures Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV): Pray for Those in Authority.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness,”
“By this, we will see the glory of God upon our beloved Governor, his cabinet, the state Assembly, the Judiciary and all people of the state irrespective of their tribes, creed and faith.
“Let love reign amongst us and motivate us to pray for one another and never to indulge into any act of trying to undermine anyone or outsmart anyone for any reason.
“I wish to declare a seven days prayer and fasting in all Denominations and churches from tomorrow Monday 8th January to Sunday 14h January, 2024 to earnestly pray on the following very important points: Prayer for our Governor and his family that God will protect, bless and guide them,
that His Excellency will end his 8years alive in good health and gallantly and God will be glorified, Pray against all forces of sabotage whether they are humans or spirits, Pray for all arms of government to work together peacefully as a team, Pray for the unity of the Church in Taraba, Nigeria and beyond, Pray against insecurity in our dear state and beyond.
He sympathies and condolences to all families who lost their loved ones and properties in all security challenges, accidents and disasters experienced from last year into this new year.
“I pray God to give them the fortitude to bear all the losses.
“For the families whose loved ones were kidnapped but released after payment of ransoms, we thank God for saving the lives of our beloved brothers and sisters and pray for open heavens for recovery of all resources lost – he said.
“For the families, communities and churches whose loved ones are still in the hands of the wicked ones, we pray for their immediate release in Jesus name.
“On this note, we thank Your Excellency and the service chiefs for taking all the necessary steps to secure the state and pray God to grant more grace, wisdom and the ability to handle all the security challenges bedeviling the State – he added.