By Sharon Akuboh
The people of Otor-Igho (formerly known as Otibio) of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State have observed their annual praise and prayer day for the year, 2024.
The event which has become a yearly program for almost a decade, took place at the Otor-lgho market square and had its theme as ” Divine intervention through Praises and prayers” The sons and daughters of the land came out in their numbers to praise God for seeing them through 2023 successfully, and also prayed for the peace, unity and progress of Otor-igho for the year, 2024 and beyond.
Speaking at the event, the Guest Speaker, Ven. ROD Oziwhele, who is the Presiding Vicar of Anglican Church Emede, took his text from 2 Chronicles chapter 20, emphasizing the power in the praise. He stressed humans must at all times, irrespective of challenges of life, they are pass through learn to praise God. He added that only the living can praise God, “for a living dog is better than a dead lion” .
Ven. Oziwhele stressed that ” God loves to be praised and what praises can do is beyond human understanding because praises to God is prophetic.” He then led Otor-Igho people to pray for the land, its leaders, the body of Christ, the government and people of Delta state as well as the sick and people who were wrongly accused.
Responding to press men, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Isoko-North Local Government Area Chairman and an Elder in Living Faith Church Ozoro, Prince Godwin Ogorugba expressed optimism about the new year, stating that 2024 holds better things for the people of Otor-Igho and assured that ” we will continue to support the Delta State government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people”.
The new President General of Otor-Igho community, Mr. Joseph Emamegho who was represented by the secretary Bar.r Omiyibo showed gratitude to God for the community and its inhabitants, “noting that God in his infinite mercy has been with us”. He prayed for a sustained relationship with God.
He maintained that God has been in the business of restoration of the lost glory of the human in the holy book, Genesis 1:26 where God, Himself in trinity ordered that man should be created in His image and even when this relationship was soured, God in His mercy still gave his begotten son for restoration of mankind . He prayed that God will greatly increase the honour of the Community. as it is in Joel 2: 25-26.
A renowned Niger-Delta Gospel Music Artist, Evangelist Amos Ighaka led the praise session with wonderful spirit lifting songs which made the people danced vigorously with so much joy round the market square.
The next praise and prayer day is expected to hold first week of January, 2025.