Mrs Jonathan Advocates Church, Govt Partnership

First Lady Patience Jonathan has called for partnership between the church and government to improve the lives of women and children.

Jonathan made the call at the opening of the National Sisters conference of the Niger Delta West Diocesan council of the Anglican Youth Fellowship in Yenagoa on Saturday.

Represented by the wife of the Bayelsa Governor, Mrs. Alayingi Silva, Jonathan urged participants in the conference to suggest ways of overcoming the challenges faced by women and children.

She reminded Christian women of the need to continually seek the face of God and depend on him in everything as he alone strengthens Christians and all who depend on him.

According to her, a good Christian is expected to be a good citizen ready to serve humanity.

She commended the women’s efforts in the areas of evangelism and urged them to be bridge builders.

Jonathan also urged the women to constantly preach peace and support the peace initiatives of the Federal Government, especially in the Niger Delta region.

The first lady noted the vital contributions of women to the building of the church and the society and stressed that they alone could advance the dignity of women by resisting all forms of discrimination.

She urged them to participate fully in church activities and wished them fruitful deliberations.

Sylva, who also spoke in her personal capacity, urged the participants to be mindful of the things that pleased God and pursue them diligently.

In his message, “And God Remembered”, the Bishop of the Niger Delta West Diocese, the Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, urged women and mothers to use the conference to do something remarkable and let God establish his covenant with them.

He said God was looking for worthy messengers to carry out his mandate and encouraged women to make themselves available to do the work of God.