By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Unenurhie in Ughelli Diocese (Anglican Communion), Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State was jam-packed last Sunday with top-notch politicians, family members, business people and community leaders as the president-general of Unenurhie community, Mr. Peter Maison, Chief Frank Imudje, the Otota’Rode of Unenurhie community and three other sisters in the church marked their separate family thanksgiving.
In a sermon during the holy communion service, vicar of the church, Rev. Canon A. E. Onoyasakpo, urged the church to always rely on God in everything they do, adding that this is because God is “the maker, protector and finisher of our faith.”
The vicar who said he was highly elated as he was not invited by the people celebrating to bury any of them or their family members, ended his sermon with prayers of success, victory, breakthrough, healing and salvation upon all members of the church and their guests.
After the sermon, each of the three families presented their family thanksgivings to God in turn. This started with the family of Mr. Peter Maison, the President-General of Unenurhie community, and his guests, who presented food items and other church needs during the thanksgiving.
This was followed by the thanksgiving of the Otota’Rode of Unenurhie community, Chief Frank Imudje, who also presented foodstuffs and other items to the church.
The thanksgivings were rounded off by the three beautiful sisters who were also church workers that were saved from motor accident recently. They were Miss Edekiubu Akpevwe, Miss Solomon Uruemuesiri and Edekiubu Faith.
Addressing family members and guests in his residence after the church service, the president-general of Unenurhie community who was one of the celebrants at the thanksgivings and full of joy, thanked all that accompanied him and family to the thanksgiving despite the short notice.
Hear him: “Words are not enough to express my warmest appreciations to all of you especially my special guests from our neighboring communities. In the same way, I want to thank all my family members and community leaders that have been with me, even right from the church service till this very moment.
“My mouth is full of praises to the Lord for His goodness is enough for me, my family and the entire Unenurhie community that’s under my leadership as its president-general. What is paramount to me and my major priority in this my government is the peace we are enjoying everyday in this community. No place can develop in the absence of peace.
“This thanksgivings as my pastor described it in the church during the service, is for the entire Unenurhie community. It’s not for only me and my family. All of us in this community need to thank God everyday for the peace we enjoy and the abundant blessings upon our lives. Once again, on behalf of my family, I say thank you and God bless you all.”
Amongst those that attended the thanksgivings in the church were Chief Macpherson Igbedi, the president-general of Uwheru kingdom, Dr. Johnson Abrucha, the Akpohor of Unenurhie community, Mr. Moneyard Edjere, the Olotu’Rode of Unenurhie community, Mr. Samuel Olotu, Mr. Saturday Ubuara, Mr. Blessing Manson, Mr. Abiola Pender, Mr. Anthony Onudo, Comr. Friday Diamond, Evang. Sergeant Odjenimor, Evang. Moses Umukoro and host of others.
