By Emeka Amaefula
WHEN PORT HARCOURT STOOD STILL FOR CHIEF TONY OKOCHA’S TRIPLE SPECIAL THANKSGIVING
First it was long time coming for Chief tony Okocha, a man who had worked so hard positioning public good in a state of plenty rancour of diverse opinions on those who regularly do their best in service delivery as servants of the people. His entry into political space was quite serene, unnoticed but as he grew in his quest to offering service to his people made a lot of difference from his days as undergraduate at University of Port Harcourt where he bagged a Degree in Philosophy. Filled to its brim was the auditorium of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Rumuapara District better known as The Holy Ghost Center in the Diocese of Niger Delta North with an array of who is who in Niger delta and in Nigeria all came to witness the triple Thanksgiving of Chief Tony C. Okocha for his appointment as Member Representing Rivers state in the management Board of Niger delta Development Commission-NDDC, secondly for his appointment as Chairman of Caretaker Committee of All Progressives Congress-APC in Rivers state and thirdly a Special Thanksgiving for the birthday of his darling wife Lady Ogechi Tony Okocha.
Giving his testimony at the church service, Chief Tony Okocha posited that thanksgiving emphasizes gratitude and praise to God for His many blessings. “For me and my family, we have come to thank God specially for his numerous surprises and show of unerring love. Firstly, was my appointment as a Member Representing Rivers State on the board of NDDC, while we were celebrating that, then came another giant responsibility, an undertaking that is so selective to be appointed as Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). To crown the celebration, coincidentally, today goes on to be the birthday of my beautiful and unassuming wife, Lady Ogechi Okocha.”
Chief Okocha thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for hitting upon him as trustworthy to function in this dual capacity, at a time when it is very difficult to locate a man to be trusted with power. He pledged total loyalty and commitment in the discharge of his responsibilities.
He specially thanked the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, and Minister of the FCT, His Excellency, Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the man who God used to attract all these testimonies. “It is true that all blessings come from God, including my dual appointments, but I will not forget that it passes through men, and the Minister of FCT, my own brother, the commander of both the Amphibians and Artillery in Rivers politics is the person God used to make all these happen.
The Minister of the FCT, Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, in his remark, commended Chief Okocha on his doggedness, steadfastness, and commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. He congratulated him on his Special Thanksgiving and urged the Church to pray for Nigeria and also pray for President Tinubu to accomplish the objectives of making his campaign policies achieved.
The chief celebrant and the Rivers APC Leader speaking further expressed his gratitude to the former Governor of Rivers State, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, whom he described as the Leader of the Political Infantry in Rivers State, who God used to attract all these testimonies. “It is true that all blessings come from God including my dual appointments, but I will not forget that it passes through men, and the Minister of the FCT, my own brother, the Commander of both the Amphibians and Artillery in Rivers politics, is the man God used”, he said.
The officiating clergymen led by the Bishop Diocese of Niger Delta North RT. Rev’d Wisdom Budu Ihunwo and his wife Mrs Mercy Oluchi were all dressed up in the various cassock dresses all beaming with smiles as the calibre of men and women of great leadership in Nigeria assembled in their church courtesy of the Chief celebrant and his beautiful wife. Present inside the auditorium were Rt. Revd. Dr. Solomon S. Gberegbara -Bishop of Diocese of Ogoni; Rt. Revd. Clement Ekpeye Bishop of Diocese of Ahoada; Revd. Okechukwu Precious Nwala, Bishop of Etche; Rt. Revd. Innocent U. Ordu Bishop of Diocese of Evo; Venerable Dr. Chimela M. Samuel Vicar of Rumuapara District; Revd. Canon Obinna Moses Obinna the Curate, Rumuapara District; Revd. Samuel Agbanye, priest, New Covenat Omoi-Orosi; Revd. Godspower Ome Odum-Priest, Rumuapara District; Ven. Dr. Ebenezar C. Eleazu; Revd. Canon Godeon Genka; Revd. Canon Emmanuel Makele; Revd. Canon Stanley Nyema Isaac; Revd. Chukwunyere Jonathan; Revd. ThankGod Wosu; Revd. Vincent Isaac; Revd. Emmanuel Owhondah;Revd. Christain Owhondah; Revd. Sunny Amaewhule and Revd. Lasbrey Edmund.
For the roll call of personalities who graced the triple Thanksgiving Church service included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by Honourable Chief Akim; Representative of national Chairman of APC Victor Tambari Giadom; former Governor of Rivers state and current Minister of FCT Abuja Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike; Former Deputy Speaker Federal House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara; Speaker Rivers state House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule with 27 APC members of Rivers state House of Assembly; House Rep. member and Chief Minority Leader Barrister O. K Chinda; Chairman of NDDC Barr. Chiedu Ebie; GM/CEU NDDC Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; and several members of the NDDC Board; senator Magnus Ngei Abe; former Deputy Speaker Federal House of Representatives Barrister Chibudom Nwuche; 16 State Chairmen of APC in Nigeria; Ambassador Desmond Akawor now Federal Commissioner; Ambassador Dr. Maureen Tamuno; 21 out of the 23 Local Government Area Chairmen, Senator Olaka Nwaogu; Prof. Henry ogiri now federal Commissioner National Population Commission; Hon. Kenneth Kobani; Dr. Fred Kpakol; Hon. Marcus Nle Eji; Hon. Ojukaiye Flag Amachree; Transport Commissioner Dr. Jacobson Nbina; Rt. Hon. Igo Aguma et al.
BISHOP WISDOM IHUNWO’S CHARGE
The lead Clergy man Rt. Bishop Wisdom Budu Ihunwo in his charge to the congregants made reference to reasons why people should come to God for Thanksgiving distinguishing Thanks and Giving as different things but all gathered for show of gratitude for things done to someone by another. He cited Holy Bible book of Luke Chapterv17 reading from verses 11 down to how ten lepers were healed by Jesus and he asked them to go and show themselves to the Chief Priest while on their way they were healed but only one of them returned to him for Thanksgiving and show of gratitude. The Rt. Bishop of Niger Delta North therefore told his audience that sometimes Miracles are delayed or not given because of pomposity. He likened Thanksgiving to expression of gratitude and thanksgiving. Psalm 101 and Psalm 9 verse 1 all point to Thanksgiving and praise to God “Appreciate God for what he had done” he said.
For Chief Tony Okocha in his speech said he came to thank God for what He has done for him and his family. While promising to help the host Church to complete their new building project as he called on his political mentor FCT Minister Nyesom Wike who came out and told the church that he and his friends will make available donation of the sum of N20m towards the completion of the new church building while calling on NDDC to look towards helping the church do the completion of the project.
Second part of the celebration took place at Emmanuel Event Centre along Obi Wali Road in Rumuigbo where Lady Ogechi Okocha and her friends celebrated her Birthday in a grand style. Several dignitaries including all her husband’s guests were all attended to at the carnival like event proper. Truly, Chief Tony C. Okocha remains a true leader of his people of All Progressives Congress-APC fold attracting followership from all and sundry in Rivers state and beyond.
——————————-Emeka Amaefula—————–+234(0)8111813069——
