•Says they are gathering for themselves, not for Abians

By CHARLES IWUOHA

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has urged Abians to disregard the recent tantrums and gatherings of members of the opposition parties who had the opportunity to develop the State in the past but failed to do so, stating that they are gathering for their selfish interests and not for the good of the people.

Otti stated this on Saturday at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Umuoriehi, the Headquarters of Abia North Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Umuahia North LGA, during the dedication of the Church building recently reconstructed by the Governor, with his personal fund.

The Governor described the gatherings of the opposition politicians in the State against him as a failed project, saying that, it is only the empty barrel that makes noise.

“Pastor Uguru made reference to the noise that you may have been hearing in the last few days.

“I want us to just dismiss it as noise, you know, and it’s always the empty barrel that makes the loudest noise.

“As for gathering, as recorded in Isaiah chapter 54, verse 15, it says, Behold, they will surely gather, but the gathering is not of me. And since it’s not of me, what would they do? They will scatter and they will fall for your sake. That’s the holy book.

“And like I’ve always also said, some of these people speaking have forgotten what is written in Lamentations chapter 5, verse 37. And it’s a big charge. Who are you to speak when the Lord has not spoken?

“So, nobody should worry about that. We don’t even think we should dignify them with responses”, Gov. Otti stated.

He said his government would continue to do its works of changing the narratives in the State, which is more important as these politicians are not interested in the people of the State.

“We should just do what we are doing. In everything, they will not talk about you, the Abia people. They are talking about themselves.

“But they are a tiny minority. And God doesn’t make mistakes. And he doesn’t have an unfinished project. So, I don’t want anybody to lose breath or worry about it”, Gov. Otti urged the congregants.

The State Chief Executive, who clarified that he did not do all the works in the Church building but renovated an already standing building, explained that he did not do the renovation project with government ‘s funds.

“It’s not correct to say that I did everything. I did a little part of it. The Church was standing before now.

“So, what we did was a little renovation because we wanted it to look better.

“It’s also important for me to re-emphasise and I’m sure those who know me, know that government money did not come in here.

“We only use government money for government business. But, because we also have a second address, we’re able to do the things we were doing before now. Those of you who have been here long enough will remember that sometime about 2012, that I came here and led the fundraising for the construction of the conference office there”, Gov. Otti stated.

The Governor used the opportunity to announce that the activities leading to the commemoration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day have commenced and would be concluded on 15th January, being the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

Earlier in his sermon, the President, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Abia North – Central Conference, Pastor Kennedy Ihuoma challenged the congregants to be faithful to God in all they do.

Pastor Ihuoma, who titled his sermon “Can I be a Joseph to Interpret the King’s Dream”, charged believers, especially those in government to be the Joseph of their time, who would be able to interpret the dreams and visions of their leaders, including Governor Alex Otti.

He narrated how the Governor worshiped in the Church and made a promise to reconstruct the Church building, from his personal funds, and was full of joy over the quality of work done in the Church building.

Pastor Ihuoma thanked the Governor on behalf of the Church leadership and members and prayed God to continue to bless him.

The Church dedication, which attracted many dignitaries including the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, members of the State House of Assembly, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, acting SSG, Dr Emmanuel Mereibeole, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, among others, featured the cutting of dedication ribbon and prayers offered for the Governor and his cabinet.

•PHOTO: Governor Otti and other dignitaries at the dedication of the recently reconstructed Seventh-Day Adventist Church building, Umuoriehi, Umuahia North LGA, on Saturday