Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, at the weekend, visited the home of 100-year-old preacher, Rev. Samuel Arabina, in Kaiama community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state, to celebrate the centenarian.

Rev. Arabina, who is pastor of a branch of the Mark of Overcomers Church in Yenagoa, the state capital, marked his 100th birthday on February 24.

The governor’s spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying in a statement that the visit was to honour the centenarian after missing his birthday celebration due to official engagements outside the state.

The governor, who expressed delight that at 100 years, the cleric was healthy and hearty, said it was heartwarming to see him still writing without the aid of glasses or a walking aid and thanked God for the special grace of longevity and strength upon his life.

Governor Diri prayed God to grant the cleric more days on earth in good health like Methuselah in the Bible.

He said: “Due to my other schedules, i was unable to come on the exact February 24 date. But we felt that we still have to visit to see our father.

“We are happy that we met him in flesh and blood at 100 years still writing without the aid of any reading glasses. We came to bless God with you for His grace upon your life. It is very rare to find that kind of grace on someone who is this age and still walking without any support.

“It is very easy for us to say we want to tap into the grace but it is not easy to be this old today with your kind of grace. So let me on behalf of the government of prosperity and the people of Bayelsa say a happy 100 years.”

Governor Diri also noted that Rev. Arabina might be the oldest man in Kolokuma/Opokuma, which is also his local government area.

Responding, Rev. Arabina, who was filled with excitement, thanked the governor for taking time out of his busy schedules to visit to celebrate him.

The centenarian offered prayers for the governor and the success of his second term in office.

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