The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has urged mothers to be prayerful and bring up their children in the way of the Lord.
Dr. Uduaghan, who gave the charge on Sunday while speaking at the 2013 Patron Feast Day Celebration of the St Benedict’s Catholic Church, Ubiaja, Edo State, called on mothers to always make sacrifices for the development of their children as they would be bountifully blessed in the future.
Uduaghan observed that his mother, Cecilia Uduaghan, whom he described an embodiment of the Christian mother, made a lot of sacrifices to ensure the development of all her children and today her love, patience and Christian virtues have paid off in her children’s lives as they are contributing meaningfully to the development of their communities.
The governor, who was one of the nine awardees of the Service to Humanity award, explained that the award was very important to him as it reflected the good qualities and Christian beliefs of his beloved mother.
He urged all Christian faithfuls to make meaningful contributions to the development of their communities and Christendom as they would be richly blessed by their actions.
Governor Uduaghan stated: “Service to humanity is the best any man can give to his society.
“You don’t need to have money to contribute to your society.
“My mother was not rich but she was dedicated to the development of church and her community with the little she had.
“She brought up her children to see the virtues in helping out the needy and the poor in the society and contributing to community development.”
The governor, on behalf of the awardees, assured the parish priest and members of the St Benedict’s Catholic Church of their continuous support and contributions, promising that they would continue to assist in the development of the church.
He also commended the people of Edo State for accepting him as one of their own, stating that he has benefitted positively from his relationship with them.
In his sermon, Reverend Father Francis Omolumen admonished Christian faithfuls to always put their faith in God and serve humanity in the best way possible.
Omolumen charged them not to be like the doubting Thomas who wanted to see before believing but to have faith in the Holy Spirit.
He said: “As Christians, we must have faith as it is indispensable.
“We need the assistance of the Holy Spirit who will enlighten us, strengthen us and give us the grace so that we can have faith even though we have not seen.”
Omolumen described the award as a way of appreciating God for His goodness and the awardees for their service to humanity.
He challenged others to make meaningful contributions to their society and the less privileged.
He described Governor Uduaghan as a man with a God-given heart, who has contributed to the development of the society, especially Ubiaja town and his fellow men.
He listed various social and humanitarian projects the governor had carried out in the parish and called for God’s protection, blessings and guidance for him and his family.
Omolumen said the feast was a celebration in honour of their Patron Saint, St. Benedict of Philadelphia, who was the patron Saint of all black people, African-Americans and African mission.
He explained that as patron saint of the church, the celebration would enable St. Benedict to intercede for all and serve as a means of enlightenment of Catholic faithfuls in the church.
Other awardees included the Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Festus Ebea; Elder Fred Ijewere; Agatha Ehumuan; Elder Okhurebor; and Chief Omochere Aisagbonhi.
