Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged the Church not to abandon its counselling role to leaders.
Okowa made the call during a consultation visit on Rt. Rev. Cyril Odutenu, Bishop of Ughelli Diocese and members of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Ughelli, Delta.
He said that the partnership between the Church and the government should be such that would put leaders in the right perspective to spur development in the state.
He noted that partnering the church was very necessary because prayers and preaching had helped to model the life of the people.
“I do not want to be lost in government if elected, I need the counselling of the priests to enable me do the right thing.
“The church through prayers has brought peace to the land and has prepared the people morally and spiritually for the development of the state,“ he said.
Okowa noted that government collaborating with the Church had become important, especially now that the revenue accruing to the country was dwindling.
He said that the church would help to educate the people on government policies, especially in the area of health insurance and the need to check population explosion in an era of economic challenges.
“We cannot plan without diversifying our economy from the current dependence on petrol nor talk about population control.
“With the explosion in our population, the challenge is that most children cannot have access to quality education, this is where we need the church to counsel the people,” he said.
Okowa said that if he won the election, most schools in the state would be converted to technical schools, where the youths would acquire technical education to enable them to become self-employed.
He said the youth would be trained and re-trained on vocational skills for six months and more, while government would equip them with starter packs and monitor their progress.
“We shall also continue the scholarship scheme and graduate support programme to enhance education in the state,” he said.
Okowa promised to partner the church, traditional rulers, workers, market women, farmers, among others, in efforts to develop the state.
Responding, Odutenu said the consultation with Okowa was necessary to enable the people  decide whom to vote for in the forthcoming election.
According to the bishop, the people of the area have collected more than 271, 000 Permanent Voter Cards and are ready to vote.