By Samuel Ogude(Warri)
The Ijaw Christian Association of Nigeria (ICAN) said one of its visions is to empower the needy with sustainable means of livelihood in the society. The organization stated this when it held its annual programme that comes up first Saturday of December, held in Shell Ram Warri in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State over the weekend. In his key note address, the Chairman of the Ijaw Christian Association of Nigeria (ICAN), Pastor Eyiki Ekpolade said, the body gathered to thank God for His goodness, mercies, kindness, preservation, protection and provision for the year ending, adding, it is not everybody who started this year that is able to end it. He said:”A lot of people that saw this y ear, January, did not live to see the second month let alone the third month and here we are on the twelve month!, Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!”.
Pastor Ekpolade said, one of the visions of the body is to see that the unsaved in Ijaw land is saved as they take the gospel across the nooks and crannies of the society adding, in the process, every man or woman that they come across, gets saved. He added that, it is their goal to see that widows, widowers, old men and women, youths, among others, are equipped spiritually, physically and financially to live a good life of Gospel Christ. He said, it is their aim to see that social amenities such as pipe borne water and medical supports are given to the remote villages just as he said, scholarships are given to indigent pupils and students among others in the area. He said:”It is our vision to provide social amenities to remote villages and give scholarships to indigent pupils and students in the villages”.
According to him, for the past sixteen (16) months of the organization’s existence, they have been able to incorporate the organization with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); register a cooperative; open a corporate account with a bank which is running; hold five (5) crusade and other conferences and indoor programmes within the period under review. He added, the late mentor and father, Rev. Dr. I.C Tolar was passionate about the salvation of Ijaw men, and for him, he had this slogan:”The Salvation of the Ijaw Man is the Responsibility of Ijaw Man” adding, as they pursue this vision, they know his spirit would be happy with them. He therefore encouraged everyone to partner with them to take the gospel of total freedom to the nooks and crannies of Ijaw land and beyond by giving cash and kind to see that this vision metamorphosed to reality.
Present at the occasion were: His Royal Majesty, Minna Fun Omotete,the Ateri De II, Amanana naowei of Bilabiri II Community in Mein Kingdom of Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Decca Emmanuel Keredei, The Nikeni 25, Amananawei of Amatu 1 Community in Iduwini Kingdom, The Ancestral Headquarters of Iduwini Kingdom of Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, His Royal Majesty, Roman Kemesude Dereabebe( The Ibenigocha bigodobi Torumor – Bebe VI) The Amananawei of Letugbene1 Community of Iduwini Kingdom of Bayelsa State among others. The highpoint of the programme titled:”Ijaw Festival of Praise “were the prayers for Ijaw nation, Nigeria youths, 2023 general elections, among others.