…As Nathaniel Bassey, Yinka Alaseyori, BJ Sax, Others Thrill At 8-Hour Praise Session
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has attributed the achievements recorded by his administration in the last four years and the peaceful atmosphere that characterized his re-election in the June 20 governorship election to the grace of God.
Governor Oyebanji stated this on Friday in Ado-Ekiti when he led Ekiti people in an eight-hour special praise session tagged “8-Hour Sacrifice of Praise” organised as part of activities to usher in his second term administration.
The marathon praise session featured frontline gospel ministers including Pastor Nathaniel Bassey, BJ Sax, Yinka Alaseyori and the National Praise Team of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG. Other ministers at the event were Biola Ojuawo, Deborah Ajayi, Bola Discovery, Tolu Sax, the Gratitude Tribe and several church choirs.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye; wife of the Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; members of the State House of Assembly and State Executive Council; MD/CEO of Premium Trust Bank, Dr Emmanuel Emefienim; royal fathers and other dignitaries.
Addressing the large congregation of worshippers, government officials and political leaders, Governor Oyebanji expressed gratitude to God for His faithfulness to Ekiti State, noting that the journey of his administration in the last four years was clear evidence of divine grace.
“I actually don’t have much to say today other than to explain the reason I chose to have this eight hours of praise and worship to God. When they were crafting the programme for the inauguration, I told my wife that the only thing I wanted and that is extremely important is eight hours of quality praise and worship to God. Four hours for the last four years and another four hours for the next four years.
“For those of you who know my story, you will know that it can only be God. I am not more than this, it is God that has made it like this. How I became Governor, you know the story. I never wanted to be Governor, I was not aspiring for it, I was the poorest among the contestants but God trusted me for it and I found myself at the seat, and in the last four years God has shown Himself mighty and the least I can do is to continuously give thanks to Him.
“Even when we were anxious about the primary and the main elections, God showed up. I emerged as our party’s consensus candidate and went on to win the election with a wide margin and in an unprecedented peaceful manner,” the Governor said.
Governor Oyebanji expressed optimism that with God’s grace and the support of Ekiti people, his second term would be far more impactful than the first.
In his goodwill message, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, applauded Governor Oyebanji for his leadership acumen and commitment to the people and expressed confidence that his administration would record greater achievements in the second term.
Senator Bamidele described the Governor’s decision to organise a praise programme to show gratitude to God as a reflection of his heart of gratitude.
He urged the Governor to remain confident and focused as he commences his second term, expressing optimism that he would not only consolidate the achievements of his first term but also surpass expectations.
Also speaking, the Managing Director/CEO of Premium Trust Bank, Dr Emmanuel Emefienim, predicted a more prosperous and glorious future for Ekiti State, maintaining that the state would experience greater achievements during the Governor’s second term, having started on a note of gratitude to God.
Emefienim, who described the programme as spiritually significant, said the gathering represented more than an expression of gratitude, but a declaration of faith that would have lasting implications for Ekiti State and generations yet unborn.
According to him, the eight hours of uninterrupted praise had set the stage for a new chapter in the state’s history by securing divine grace ahead of the second term.
“You have sent grace ahead of the second term. The best way to fight in the spiritual realm is to praise God even before the fight begins. I believe that the next four years, by the grace of God, will be better than the first four,” Emefienim said.
