Anglican Bishop Tasks Chairmen-Elect On Poverty Alleviation

The Bishop of Diocese of Niger Delta Noth, Rt.Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, has charged Local Government chairmen-elect to create an enabling environment that will reduce poverty at the grassroots.
Ihunwo also advised them to always seek the face of God in the discharge of their duties, to enable them succed during their teaure.
The Bishop gave the advice while delivering a sermon at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Thanksgiving Service for successful local government chairmanship and councellorship elections in Rivers State held at St. Patrick Anglican Church in Port Harcourt.
He urged the elected chairmen to see the positions they are about to occupy as a privilege and not because they are the most qualified candidates, saying that there are more qualified persons than them but because they found favour in the sight of God they were elected by the people.
The clergyman also advised the new council chairmen to render selfless services and not to be selfish, saying that no selfish leader finds favour in the sight of God.
Bishop Ihunwo who took his sermon from Proverb 19:17 said: “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
He urged them to create wealth by investing in the lives of people to reduce poverty at the grassroots, saying that there is much poverty among people, especially at the rural areas of the state.
In his speech, the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, thanked God for the successful local government elections, saying that God has shamed the enemies who thought that the just concluded election would throw the state into chaos and crises.
The Governor who was represented by the State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipallibo Harry Banigo, said the party decided to hold the Thanksgiving Service to honour God, following the miraculous thing God had done for the party.
He said God had always protected and delivered the party against the wishes of the oppositions in the state.
Speaking to The Tide, the chairman-elect of Andoni LGA, Erastus Awortu, expressed confidence in God, saying that the lord that gave him victory in the election would grant him the vision to develop  Andoni.
He called on the stakeholders and the people of the area to support his administration, when he is sworn into office.

By: Enoch Epelle