Christians in Bayelsa and Rivers states have been advised to support the Bible Society of Nigeria to render its Divine Mandate. The advice was given in Port Harcourt last Sunday by a one-time Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel T. Toby, at the Saint Cyprian?s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt during the presentation of Special Member Certificates to the Vicar in charge of the Church, Venerable Dr Richard and his wife, Linian Ere Hart, and six others.

Sir Toby explained that the advice became very imperative and crucial due to the high level of non-cooperation of Christians and some churches.

He said: ?But for the committed gesture of the Society, it is near impossible for Christians to have the hard copy of the Bible?.

The Former Deputy Governor who is also a Special Member of the Society with his wife, congratulated the newly inducted members and asked them to increase their support to the Society.

Presenting the Certificates on behalf of the Life Patron of the Society, the former Head State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Doctor Yakubu Gowon, the Chairman of the Rivers/Bayelsa Area, Elder Omoni Ayo-Tamuno, disclosed that the Society has the capacity to assist the Church to achieve its traditional role of bringing people to the Body of Christ.

This, Elder Ayo-Tamuno said, ?is done through the provision of the written Word of God to the Christian Community?.

He further said: "Anotherr way the Society assists the Church is translating the Bible into indigenous Nigerian languages?.

The Chairman stated that so far there are over 20 language groups in Rivers State, and the Society has only translated the full Bible in Khana, Kalabari and Okrika languages, saying that Eleme Language Bible translation was nearing completion.

In Bayelsa State, Elder Ayo-Tamuno said, ?only Nembe Bible has been completed, while that of Ogbia and Epie New Testament has been completed while the Old Testament is at the final stage of completion.?

He lauded the Saint Cyprian?s Church for being the only Church that has BSN structure in the Area and announced that the Church would play host to the Society?s South South Zonal leaders meeting in February, this year.

Speaking on behalf of other special members, the Vicar, Dr Richard Hart assured that the Church would continue to support the Society.

Other members inducted weren?t Sir Chief Henry and Lady Elder Julie Domo Spiff, Queen I.E.A. Cookey, Dame Ibenebo William Dappa and Dakoru D. Briggs.

?PHOTO: Former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel T.B. Toby, presenting Certificate to Venerable Dr Richard Hart as a Special Member of BSN.

Update news