Nigeria, July 08, 2015, (Blank NEWS Online) –
DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has called for synergy between the National Assembly and the Presidency to check insurgency.
The Governor made the call on Monday, July, 20115 when the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara led some members of the House of Representatives to pay him a courtesy visit at the government house, Asaba.
Governor Okowa who decried the magnitude of damage caused in the country as a result of insurgency, stated that President Mohamadu Buhari requires the support of all Nigerians, especially, the National Assembly to tackle the menace.
“I believe that the backbone of Mr President is the National Assembly, I urge for collaboration between the National Assembly and the Presidency without tampering with independence of the Assembly,” he said, adding, “we in Delta State are praying that God will give the National Assembly and President Buhari the wisdom to handle the issues of insurgency in the nation.”
He reiterated, “we regret the death of people as a result of the insurgency, when we collectively talk with one mind, pray together, we will overcome this insurgency, we require divine intervention at this point in time.”
Senator Okowa used the occasion to challenge the National Assembly to speedily pass the Petroleum Industry Bill and the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill because of the importance of such bills to the development of Nigeria.
“I want to thank you for bringing the PIB bill to fore, it is my prayer that we can speedily pass the bill in both houses and it gets a quick assent from the President because, non-passage of this bill has set the country backward, I pray that it is passed early in the life of this Assembly,” the Governor stated adding that the passage of the NHIS bill was very important as it will affect the generality of Nigerians.
According to him, the NHIS bill desires speedy attention because the NHIS act of 2004 was not all inclusive, decrying a situation where the number of Nigerians covered by Health insurance is still below 20 per cent.
“If we truly want to touch the lives of the poor, it is to touch their health and education, once we get it right, you have truly touched them,” he said.
While congratulating Rt. Hon. Dogara for his successful emergence as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Governor expressed confidence in the ability of the Speaker to lead a vibrant and robust Assembly.
Earlier, Rt. Hon. Dogara who said he was in Asaba to commission a project executed by the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, described Governor Okowa as a man who knew what he wants for his people, noting that while some Governors were still contemplating on what to do about governance, Governor Okowa “has hit the ground running.”
“I am quite impressed with the quality of personalities you have as Commissioners,” he said, and thanked the Governor for his support during the race for the Speakership position.”
In the same vein, Governor Okowa and Speaker Dogara have said Godly upbringing of children will position Nigeria for a greater future.
The duo observed that instilling in the children the fear of God will make the future generations to desist from engaging in actions which are inimical to the society.
They spoke on Tuesday, July 2015 at the birthday and thanksgiving ceremony of the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Mrs Amaechi Mrakpor.
The event which took place at Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South local government area of the state was also, used to dedicate King Jesus & I Ministry’s Covenant Alter of Testimony.
Governor Okowa specifically said, “as parents, let us learn to build a good foundation for our children, foundation based on the teaching of God, foundation that will last forever.”
“The only way to build a lasting peace is for our parents to return to God and with that we build a better future for our family, Delta State and for Nigeria,” Senator Okowa said.
He described the building of alters to God as very good as it positions the individuals to serve God, asserting, “by the time you build an alter for God, when you are going wrong, when you are going against God and you remember that the alter exists, you correct yourself and do the right thing.”
While congratulating Hon. Mrakpor, Governor Okowa urged politicians to make the society a better place by being Godly in their activities.
Rt. Hon. Dogara stated that Nigeria will be a better country with prayers, adding that Nigeria can be exalted on account of prayers.
According to him, “if Delta State is to be exalted, if Nigeria is to be exalted, it will be on account of prayers, if you pray for your Governor and national leaders for righteousness to reign in the affairs of the state and the nation, it will reflect on the citizens and we need proper moral upbringing of our children” asserting, “these are uncommon times and when we hear of the uncommon happenings, our hearts will begin to fail us, all we need is prayer that is why covenant alters like this one is very necessary in the lives of the nation.”
Arch-Bishop God-Do-Well Avwomakpa, chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who delivered a sermon at the occasion observed that teaching the children the words of God was neccessary for them to know what angers God, reiterating, “if as parents, we do not teach the children, they may not know what angers God.”
While Arch-Bishop Avwomakpa emphasised that it was important to give to the Lord, Hon. Mrakpor thanked those who attended the ceremony, disclosing that the triple celebration was borne out of the need to celebrate God’s goodness to her, members of her family and her constituency.
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