By Ajani Okanlawon
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has said that he will forever be grateful to all those who contributed to the success of his political career.
Uduaghan announced his debt of gratitude at the weekend in Oginibo, Ughelli South Local Government Area during the dedication of newly the reconstructed First Baptist Church built by the founder of the Christ Missionaries Crusaders’ Church, Arch Bishop God-Dowell Avwomakpa.
The church was built in memory of his late father, Chief Majomi Avwomakpa who pioneered the First Baptist Church in the community in 1922.
Uduaghan said the support and steadfast prayers for him brought tremendous progress to the state as well as helped remove several challenges associated with governance.
He paid tribute to other religious leaders in the state including the Chairman of the South South Christian Association of Nigeria, Arch-Bishop God-Dowell Avwomakpa as well as other indigenes of Oginibo whose loyalty and contributions helped his administration achieve the success so far recorded.
Commenting on the church building, Uduaghan commended Arch Bishop Avwomakpa for the vision and commitment to the service of God and later donated six million naira on behalf of the government and his family to the completion of the church building.
In his sermon, titled “Building a true tabernacle of God”, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Reverend Samson Ayokunle advised Christians to build houses of worship for God to aid the growth of the gospel.
He commended Uduaghan for giving support to the spiritual and educational development of the Baptist church in Nigeria.
Presenting the keys of the church building to the President of the Nigeria Baptist Convention, Reverend Samson Ayokunle, Arch Bishop Avwomakpa said he built the church to uplift spiritual and physical growth of the Baptist church in the area adding that the new church building had restored the glory of the Baptist church which his father pioneered in the community in 1922.
Avwomakpa promised to provide more support in equipping the church.
The Pastor-in-Charge of the first Baptist church Oginibo, Reverend Newman Otaye, expressed excitement at the new church building and appealed for support for the church’s office complex to accommodate a vestry, Pastor’s office and choir room.
He commended Uduaghan for providing good roads and streets lights in Oginibo community, which the first Baptist church had benefited from.
Reverend Ayokunle later presented the Baptist church’s centenary Bible, which contained both Bible and Baptist hymn book, to Uduaghan.
