Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has called for increased partnership between the government, Christian leaders and all religious organisations to drive development in the state.
Obaseki, who made the submission during the inauguration of new executives of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Edo State Chapter, led by Pastor Margaret Agbonifo, said the Church must be in synchronisation with the government in developing the society.
According to him, “The Church must be connected to the government as the church is part of the government. We are in government because of the people; Government should not be far from the people. It should not be separate from the people; we need to work together in ensuring development in the state.
“We have security challenges; people are hungry and we have not educated the youths well enough; we can’t live a life of excuses. Together, we shall do our best to restore dignity among our youths.
“I am not the Governor because I am the best but because God wants me to be Governor; I am in office to serve Edo people and make life better for them.”
Obaseki acknowledged the steadfastness of PFN under the leadership of its immediate past Chairman, Rev. Mon Igbinosa, noting that he ensured strong collaboration with the government among several other achievements.
The governor noted: “PFN gave people like late Archbishop Benson Idahosa the foresight to make Edo State the home of Pentecostal movement in Nigeria.
“God has continued to make history in Edo State, as the first female is today to step in to preside over Edo State branch of the PFN, which is the first of such a feat in Nigeria.
“We will collaborate with her in the next four years, ensuring that things work out for the best for the people of the State.
“Our children are angry and unhappy causing destruction in the land and have been asking what can be done to pacify them. We didn’t train them that way as something must have gone wrong to cause such behavior and we will use the next four years to get to the root cause of the situation.
“We must give the youths hope, connect them to God and take responsibility for them and God has brought our mother to lead PFN in the State to achieve this.”
Admonishing the new PFN executive in Edo State, Vice-President of PFN, South-South, Bishop Simeon Okah urged the new executives to ensure they do the work they are called to do efficient
In her acceptance speech, Pastor Margaret Agbonifo promised to run an administration of continuity, ensuring that all projects embarked upon by the previous administration are completed.
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