Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed optimism that the coming year 2022 would be a better year for Nigerians.
Okowa stated this at the Delta State Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Thursday.
Governor Okowa flanked by his wife Dame Edith, took the first lesson titled "the fall of man" while his Deputy, Mr Kingsley Otuaro took the second reading.
The governor said that the year 2021 was a challenging year for Nigerians but expressed hope that 2022 would be a better year for the nation.
He urged Christians to renew their hope in God as he alone could turn around the fortunes of the people.
“Let me wish everyone here a merry Christmas and a happy new year in advance.
“There is no doubt that the year has been very tough for so many Nigerians and Deltans are not excluded from the challenges of the nation.
“But there is hope for tomorrow and all I pray and ask of you is to stay faithful in God and to realise that in Christ Jesus we have hope for tomorrow.
“I thank you for coming to this event because in all things we have to give thanks to God and it is in an occasion like this that we appreciate God for our lives.
“We must realise that despite the challenges of the year we are all alive to see today and it is my hope and prayer that God will bless all of us as we enter year 2022.
“It is my hope that year 2022 will be better than year 2021 and may the Lord renew your strength and provide you all your needs,” Okowa prayed.
Guest minister, Apostle Dr. Zilly Aggrey, in his exhortation urged Christians to show appreciation to God for his incredible love to humanity as demonstrated by his son Jesus.
The cleric said God never makes mistake because his word never fails, adding that nothing any man could do that would escape God’s judgement.
He commended Governor Okowa for his tremendous support to the christendom in the state.
Minority of the House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori represented by his Deputy, Christopher Ochor, Chief Judge of the State, Justice Theresa Diai, State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Kingsley Esiso and other top government functionaries attended the ceremony.