By Emeka Odogwu
The 2nd Bishop of Diocese of Ahoada Rt. Rev’D. Hanson Onyejiuwanaka Bernard and his wife Mrs. Glad Umatu Hanson-Bernard have been enthroned and their ministry in Ahoada Diocese naugurated at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul Ahoada on Sunday, 22nd September 2024.
This is coming as the Rivers State
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has
reiterated its belief in the efficacy of prayers of the Saints.
Speaking through his Deputy Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, Governor Fubara said, “As a Government prayers of the saints have sustained us otherwise we would have been gone over a year ago, but because of your fervent prayers God has sustained us, and we believe that God will continue to sustain us because you will not cease to pray for us”. The Governor stressed.
The State Chief Executive, who disclosed that anything that has to do with the Church excites him, congratulated Rt. Rev’D. Hanson Bernard, on his enthronement as the 2nd Bishop Diocese of Ahoada, noted that he whom God picks, He equips. “You may think you are not worthy, but before the eyes of the Lord, you are, and so shall you become one of the greatest Bishops from this part of the country.” The State Chief Executive quipped.
According to the Governor, because the Bishop has placed Evangelism and Soul Winning as a top priority, which touches the heart of God, it would serve as a stepping stone to greater heights, adding that the flock that the Lord has placed under his care would increase in multiple dimensions.
In his sermon drawn from Matthew Chapter 28:19 to 20, Rt. Rev’D. Hanson Onyejiuwanaka Bernard, the Bishop of the Diocese of Ahoada, said as Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us in the Great Commission, his focus would be on Evangelism and Soul Winning, stressing that every 3rd Sunday of the month would be observed as Evangelism Sunday, where the Church would go out for Evangelism after a brief Sunday service.
He identified unity, love, righteousness, transparency, and accountability as ingredients for growth, noting that the Church is poised to go into investments to support the spread of the Gospel.
The service was attended by the Dean, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion and ArchBishop of Niger Delta Province, Most Rev’d Dr Blessing Enyidah, the immediate past Bishop of the Diocese of Ahoada, Rt Rev’d Clement Nathan Ekpeye, visiting Bishops, government functionaries, captains of industries, friends and well wishers.
The highlight of the occasion was the Governor’s donation of fifty million naira to support the Church.
