By Balogun Omeiza David, Lokoja
The Glass House at the Government House was few hours ago filled to the brim as staff from within and outside the Government House Community gathered to attend the interreligious faith prayers organised by the Director General, Government House Administration, Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu.
The essence of organising the prayer was to give thanks to God Almighty for the successfu 100 Days in Office of His Excellency, Alh. Usman Ahmed Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State.
Conducting the all important prayer session was the Director of Protocol (DOP) at the Government House, Mr. Emmanuel Dogwo. The opening prayers was taken from the two faiths in attendance. Imam Muhammed Kabir led the Islamic opening prayer while the Christian version was led by the Assistant Chaplain, Revd. Alhassan Philip.
Also in attendance were: The Chief Imam of Government House, Alh. Musa Bashiru Ohu, the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Pst. Henry Asarapo and the Director of Administration and Finance (DAF)
Mrs. Funmilayo Bello as well as the General Manager, Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency, Alh. Momoh Dauda amongst others.
While addressing those who congregated at the Glass House for the interreligious faith prayers, Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu said, “Today is not one for speech making. We are here to give thanks and glory to God and to seek His face divine protection. The current Governor, His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has successfully clocked 100 Days in Office. We have therefore decided to recoil back unto prayers.
“We all know the challenges before the state and as usual it is not a new thing at all. Normally, when an election is contested and won by a candidate, we do have aggrieved parties who tries to bring up issues. That is why we are presently having series of Court cases and much rantings on the social media space of those having one interest or the other to the point of trying to destroy each other. I have come to discover that the only person we can call on at a time like this is God Almighty and that is why we are gathered here as one. I want to sincerely appreciate those of you that have created time to be here for us to seek the face of God Almighty as we celebrate our dear Governor, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo.” He said.
The Chief Imam of Government House, Alh. Musa Bashiru Ohu prayed to Almighty Allah (SAW), the Supreme Being he described as the most powerful, the single owner of sovereignty, the only one who can give power to whoever He so pleases. Praying further, he made the congregation chorus “Al-ham-du-li-lahi” (which means thanks be to Almighty Allah). He added that giving thanks to Allah (SWT) wants from us. That is why we have said it severally here to appreciate our maker for allowing His Excellency, Alh. Usman Ahmed Ododo to attain 100 Days in Office. His other prayer point was to seek the face of Almighty Allah (SWT) for the success of this administration by suppressing the enemies of Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Alh. Musa Bashiru Ohu lastly prayed for the Director General Government House Administration, Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu that Almighty Allah (SWT) will make his end better than his beginning and that all his children will excel greatly before him. He concluded that Allah (SWT) will answer his prayers over Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu because he is not tribal bigot.
Pastor Henry Asarapo heading the Government House Chapel started the Christian prayers of thanksgiving by singing series of worship songs. He thereafter called God great and powerful names like, “the immortal, the divider of the Red Sea, the one who knows all things from the beginning, the ultimate in power, the alpha and the Omega, the one no one can defeat in battle.”
Asarapo decreed saying the light of God will overwhelm Kogi State as he is the holy one that has made it possible for Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo to start on a good footing which is making us to gather in celebration of his 100 Days in Office. Quoting from Romans 17:1 and Jeremiah 1:5, Asarapo said before our present Governor was formed in his mother’s womb God has already designed it that he will one day govern Kogi State and that is why no force on earth can stop that which God has penned down and same time ordained.
He appreciated God Almighty as He is the only one that has made this 100 days to come to pass. He said as Kogites we have seen much humility and traits of good leadership from our Governor, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo. He went further to say that, after this 100 Days Kogi State will never remain the same. King Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave it to him and this made him to lead the people well. Asarapo said in his prayer that there is the wisdom of devil, the wisdom of man and also the wisdom of God. He prayed that God’s wisdom which surpasses all other types of wisdom will be given to His Excellency, Alh. Usman Ahmed Ododo to lead Kogi State.
The Chaplain prayed for those without employment to be highly favoured under the administration of this government. He prayed for more infrastructural development in Kogi State as well as the influx of foreign investors into the state to help increase the labour and the much generation of internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He concluded his prayers by praying for the Governor, the Director General Government House Administration and all other government appointees to remain healthy and fit for their official work to better the lives of Kogi State.