The Presiding Bishop of God’s Command Ministry Inc., Rt. Revd. Dr Felicia Ileleji (JP+), has attributed the multifarious challenges facing Nigeria to the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77) hosted by the country in 1977.

“I want to say that the causes of the challenges in Nigeria today is the FESTAC 77. Some of the gods people brought into Nigeria for the festival were not return to their original countries.

“It is those gods that are troubling our country. We need to come together as a people and create a day for prayers against the gods,” Bishop Ileleji said on Sunday during the 20thGlorious Anniversary Harvest of the church at Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

“We have taken God for granted for too long in Nigeria. He is a God of mercy. Christians should be fervent in prayer and believe in God,” she added while speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the anniversary celebration which had as theme, “Esteemed Blessings”.

The Presiding Bishop however said that the current challenges in the country are surmountable if Nigerians imbibe fervent prayers.

She urged Christians to remain steadfast in the face of the current economic challenges in the country.

On the 20thanniversary, Ileleji expressed gratitude to God for the journey so far.

“We are grateful to God for giving us the grace to see this 20thanniversary. We thank the Lord for what he is doing in this church.

“There are challenges. I am from this kingdom. When we started, some people discriminated me, but God proved himself greatly in my life.

“I am a prophetess, when I prophesy, they will say it is a lie but at the end, it will come to pass.

“So, the Lord has really esteemed me to see the 20thanniversary of this church.

“Again, Uvwie as a community has recognized me as one of their own,” she said.

On his part, the Resident Pastor of the church, Pastor Emmanuel Abuku, appreciated God for His faithfulness in the ministry.

“God has kept us thus far in these 20 years by His mercy and we are counting more years by His grace.

“One good thing God has been doing for us is His faithfulness. He has kept us; no life has been lost in the 20 years journey of this church,” he said.

Mrs Veronica Ovakporome, founding member of the church, said that the ministry started as a fellowship at Effurun market and later migrated to Jakpa junction before it eventually metamorphosed and settled at where it is today at Uti Street.

“There were challenges, it is not easy to start in your own land. The most challenge our Bishop had was that she is from this kingdom. At first the people did not believe in her callings.

“But as God was using her in the time of crisis in this community, they came to realise that she was actually called,” she said.

On his part, Deacon Leo Ogaga described testimonies in the church as being second to none to the glory of God.

Archbishop Eddy Bebo, the Pastor of the Ark of God Covenant in Udu Local Government Area of Delta, described the celebrant as a selfless cleric who has sacrificed a lot for God to ensure the work of God goes smoothly.

“We are very excited over what God is doing in her life. Anytime you want to offer thanks to God, do it well from the bottom of your heart,” he said.

In his sermon, Archbishop MacPherson Onoriode, the visiting pastor, said that there were two categories of blessings.

Onoriode who took his sermon from Genesis 22: 17-18 said that esteemed blessings come with divine favour while the ordinary blessing is the result of your labour.

He urged Christians to embrace thanksgiving in order to receive esteemed blessings from God.

Dignitaries from all works of life including the Delta State Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Victor Ohwodiasa, Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Mr Anthony Ofoni and among others attended the anniversary.