By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
The 2024 edition of the annual Unenurhie Day of Prayers and Thanksgiving started with songs of joy and ended with shower of blessings upon the people and the land.
The event, which is in its third edition and usually holds on 25 and 26 March every year, took place at the Unenurhie Event Centre with many sons and daughters of the community, resident at home and or in the Diaspora, as well as guests, in attendance.
Speaking to the large audience on the first day, on the theme of the event, titled, ‘The Power in the Name of Jesus,’ the guest speaker, Evang. Sunny Jedje, advised sons and daughters of Unenurhie to accept Jesus Christ as their saviour, adding that there is no other name that could make the community to achieve her dreams and destiny, as envisaged by the community leaders, except the name of Jesus Christ.
As Evang. Jedje rounded up his message, another speaker, Evang. Dr. Benjamin Okotete took over the prayer session and offered hot and powerful prayers and declarations upon the people and also upon the land of Unenurhie.
As soon as this session began, there was a heavy downpour of rain on the entire community. This downpour was described by the great evangelist as synonymous to the shower of blessings by God Almighty upon the people and the entire land of Unenurhie.
The activities of the second and last day of the event were most colourful and beautiful. It started with the presentation of various cultural display. First, Unenurhie Women Dance Group showcased their dancing styles with their colourful attires. This was followed by Unenurhie Children Dance Group and finally, the Bridal Dance Group where all the brides in Unenurhie community between 2023 and 2024 displayed their bridal gorgeousness with their dancing steps.
This session was again spiced up with Bible recitations presented by the children and presentations from the pupils of Unenurhie Primary School led by the school headmistress and other staff. The highlight of the Bible recitations was by one Master Bright James, a secondary school leaver who quoted the first verse of each book of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation without stopping.
This moved all the men of God at the event hall to release prayers upon the young boy and to also anoint him for greater church and academic exploits. The men of God also advised the community leadership to consider Bright James for a scholarship.
As soon as this session was over, then came the powerful Word of God from Evang. Dr. Benjamin Okotete on the same theme, ‘The Power in the Name of Jesus.’ Taking his message from the Bible book of Acts of the Apostles, 3:9-11, the great evangelist told the people of Unenurhie that, the land could only be liberated and delivered through the name of Jesus Christ.
He then released prophecies and prayers of greatness and breakthroughs upon the people by anointing the two quarters and eight streets of the community through the community elders. The two-day event was however concluded by a special thanksgiving offered by each arm of leadership in the community and all the UCDU branches across the country led by the president-general and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Maison.
Thereafter, a vote of thanks was presented by the president-general, Mr. Peter Maison, saying, “On behalf of my executive body and the entire Unenurhie community, we want to first thank God Almighty for His grace, mercy and favour especially the enjoyment of peace upon this my government and also upon the entire community.
“I want to at this time appreciate the tireless efforts of the planning committee of this great event especially the chairman, Rev. Dr. Gentle Imudje, and the secretary, Comr. James Okparikpu for putting together all that we have celebrated and enjoyed today. In the same way, I want to thank CAN and all the great men of God serving in this community for their everyday prayers for us. I also thank our guest speakers and guest artistes. They have performed exceedingly great. Let me conclude by thanking the president-general of Evwreni kingdom, Prince Kenneth Ukpebitere, Hon. Victor Ohare, former PG of Evwreni kingdom and all our sons and daughters within and from the diaspora for making this year’s Unenurhie Day great and successful!”
Among dignitaries and guests that graced the occasion were Archbishop (Amb.) Dr. Ovie Ibuje, Bishop Maria Ovie, Bishop Ejiro Ibuje, Ven. Dr. and Mrs. Reuben Obegor, Ven. and Mrs. Charles Esegba, Apostle Michael Ephron, Pastor Patrick Edafe Umuero, Apostle Glorias Sol Gibson. Others were Rev. Godwin Imouchi, Rev. Canon Onoyasakpo, Evang. Dr. Benjamin Okotete, Evang. Sunny Jedje, Evang. Promise Bateren, Prince Kenneth Ukpebitere, Hon. Victor Ohare and others.
