Yuletide: Okowa Enjoins Christians To Continually Praise God

 

 _Chidex Onyemah_ 

The Executive Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has enjoined all christians resident in Delta State to continually praise God, regardless of the challenges they might be facing at the moment.

He said this, while giving a remark at the Delta State festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, held at the Delta State International Conference center, Okpanam road, Asaba on Friday, December 23, 2022.

He assured Deltans of a better and prosperous Nigeria, urging youths to join hands to making the realization of the anticipated Nigeria, an achievable goal.

His words: "Nigeria of tomorrow will be a better country. Our youths should not loose hope, because there is a light at the end of this phase. We must all contribute our quota to building the Nigeria our heart desires"

"The foundation has been laid for a strong Delta. This is not a result of Okowa's sole effort but the support of our religious and royal fathers"

Concluding his remark, the Governor thanked all Deltans, for the support showered on his team in the last seven years and called for more dedication among Deltans.

"I must thank Deltans for holding forth and cooperating with my team and I. We are begining to unite stronger as a state, not relying on the things that broke us apart in the past. We shall continue to be a praying state, for prayer truly works for us here" Okowa said.

Giving his exhortation, the  Anglican Bishop of Asaba Diocese, Rt. Rev. Kingsley Obuh, encouraged christian to have a proper understanding of the reason for the season. He stated that Christmas, though, is a celebration of baby Jesus but He is more than just a baby but the creator of mankind.

The event featured special renditions from the Delta State Mass Choir, Christ Holy Church International Choir, among other choirs.

Also in attendance were; Hon Ndudi Elumelu, Minority leader, Federal House of Representatives;  Hon. Justice Theresa Diai, Chief Judge, Delta State; C hief Patrick Ukah, Secretary to State Government, among others.

No One Should Separate God From Politics - CAN President

 

By Chidex Onyemah

The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, His Eminence, Most Rev. (Dr) Daniel Okoh has affirmed that people should not separate God from the politics. He noted that God is actively involved in both the politics of nations and the socio-relations of nations.

He said this, while giving his homily at the 2022 Annual Convention of the Christ Holy Church International, held at the Christ Holy Church International Camp-ground, Asaba, Delta State on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.

The CAN President  who is also the International Chairman of the Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)  and the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church International advised christians across the country to shun the saying that politics is a dirty game and not for christians.

"The saying that politics is a dirty game, is an old and obselete saying. People should understand that we are involved in the fate of our country"

"God has already chosen the leaders of this country, but we must also contribute our own quota in the fulfilment of God's perfect will" His Eminence said.

Concluding his sermon, the cleric observed that the choosing of 'Immanuel' as the theme of this year's convention is apt in the history of the country, especially now that all stakeholders are looking forward to having a free, fair and credible elections, with the assurance that God is with us.

He declared that 2023 is a year of Golden Opportunities for the church and so, there is no need for fear.

His words: "It is true that all is not well at the moment, but all shall be well. The church shall gather again in 2023 to share testimonies".

Giving his Goodwill message, the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, eulogized the CAN President for bringing this year's convention to Delta State, noting that the convention is an opportunity for christians, especially members of Christ Holy Church International, to be enriched, nourished and reconciled to God.

The Governor assured the state government's support for the construction of the road leading to the church's campground, which is proposed to be the permanent site of the NationBuilders College of Technology, Asaba.

"This is not the Nigeria of our dream, but we must continually call upon God as our only helper" he said.

Also speaking, the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who is also the candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming Delta State gubernatorial election, lauded the church for bringing the convention to Delta State. He asked for more prayer from the church, for a peaceful election in Delta State.

Other dignitaries at the event were; Hon. Tim Owhefere, Majority Leader, Delta State House of Assembly; Hon. Princess Adankele Ajudua, Chief Whip, Delta State House of Assembly;  Chief Patrick Ukah, Secretary to the Delta State Government; Mr. Festus Ovie Agas, Chief of Staff, Delta State House of Assembly, among other dignitaries.

High point at the event, was the official presentation of the documents of a Toyota Corolla car to Rev. Pastor Samuel Okonji of Christ Holy Church International Asaba 1. The event also featured high praise sessions, thanksgiving sessions, Choral renditions, special prayer sessions etc.

ACGC 2022: CHC Female Choir Emerges Winners of The Female Choir Category

 

By Chidex Onyemah

Christ Holy Church International bask in the euphoria of glory, after her All-Female Choir emerged the winners of the female choir category of the just concluded African Choral and Gospel Championship (ACGC) hosted in Rwanda's capital, Kigali.

The African Choral and Gospel Championship (ACGC) held in Rwanda from Wednesday, March 23, 2022 to Monday, 28 March, 2022, created the platform for Africa, already known for her rich and diverse cultural heritage to unite through music.The Closing Ceremony of the maiden edition of African Choral and Gospel Championship (ACGC), held in Kigali, Rwanda on Sunday, March 27, 2022, was a memorable moment for the Christ Holy Church International, as her All Female Choir, were announced winners of the female choir category championship.  

The choir which comprised exclusively screened female choristers from different superintendencies of the church, representing both the church, the Nigerian Region of the Organization of African Instituted Churches as well as Nigeria at large, competed with the Chorale de Kigali from Rwanda and Harmonious Chorale Female Chorus from Ghana. 

Gladnews reports that, the highly anticipated Pan-African Gospel Choir Festival, organized in collaboration with Chorale de Kigali, and held at the Intare Conference Arena, had in attendance, over 500 delegates from different African countries.

Speaking to Newsmen, top Ghanaian music composer and one of the festival coordinators, James Varrick, said that, the event was scheduled to hold last year in South Africa, but due to the increase in the spread of COVID-19, the organizers moved it to Kigali. 

“The plan was to hold the festival in South Africa last year; we were forced to postpone it to December after countries imposed travel bans to South Africa due to the Omicron variant. Kigali became our next option for the festival after we realized that the country’s pandemic situation was not improving,” he said. 

Varrick, the “Oye” crooner expressed gratitude to the Kigali people for accepting to host the festival at the eleventh hour. 

Oscar Irambona, the vice-president of Choral de Kigali, expressed delight with the shifting of the festival to Kigali, noting that, the Rwanda choirs would learn a lot from the gospel music experience.

His words: “We are happy that the organizers chose Rwanda. The festival will not be about performances, but also an opportunity to exchange experiences about the gospel music industry. We look forward to giving gospel music lovers an experience to remember.” 

 “During the festival, participants: both soloists and choirs, were able to participate in a series of singing competitions after which winners were rewarded with certificates and cash prizes,” Irambona said. 

Gladnews gathered that, about 15 choirs took part at the festival, they included; Harmonious Chorale, Akoo Show, Accra Diocesan, Grace Chorale, and Symphonials, all from Ghana; All-Female Choir, Bacmac Choir, and Lagos City Choir from Nigeria; Host choir Chorale de Kigali, Choeur International, Alarm Ministries, Ishema Ryacu Choir, and Ensemble Instrumentale de Kigali, among others.

In general, delegates were drawn from seven African countries, including host nation Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Togo, Cameroon, and South Africa. 

Highpoints at the festival was tour by the delegates to different part of the country, to have a glimpse of the country’s beauty.

Winners of other categories include; Nkosingiphile Lubisi (Classical Soloist Category); Bryan Aidoo (Gospel Soloist Category); Akoo Show Choir (African Folk and Traditional Chorus Category); The Symphonials (Sacred and Church Choir Category); Bokamoso Chorus (Opera Music category); Bokamoso Chorus (Open Mixed Repertoire), among others. There were also special awards to

Chorale de Kigali for having the most resplendent costume and to Heavenly Jewels Chorale for being the most represented choir in most ACGC 2022 activities.

ACGC 2022: Arch-Bishop Okoh Calls For a United Africa

 By Chidex Onyemah

The Arch Bishop of Christ Holy Church International and the International Chairman of the Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Most Rev. (Dr.) Daniel Okoh, has called on African leaders to harness all available resources towards achieving a united and formidable Africa, especially now that lots of factors, tend to pull the continent apart, which according to him, include; famine, hunger, disease and all kinds of violence.

He made the call at the Opening Ceremony of the African Choral and Gospel Championship (ACGC), hosted in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali from Wednesday, March 23, 2022 to Monday, March 28, 2022.

He lauded the government of Rwanda for exhibiting hospitality to the different choirs from various African countries as well as all delegates at the event. He solicited for more visa free countries in Africa.

His words: “I want to use this opportunity to thank the leaders of this nation for opening their doors for this event. Let us have more of this warm welcome, like we have received in Rwanda; let there be no war, rancho, violence; Let us come together with one voice to sing the unity of our continent… There is no need to have division across our continent. Let us have more visa free countries in Africa, because we are all the same".

Arch Bishop Okoh who is also the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church International, noted that music was an integral part of Africa, which according to him was utilized by the founders of African Independent Churches to spread their churches across the continent. 

“When the African Independent Churches started, most of the members were illiterate and the only way the early theologians could communicate the Christian theology to their members was through music… Music is found all over the places in Africa and there is the abundance of talent in this continent” he said.

The OAIC leader commended the initiators of the ACGC, for their determination to ensure the success of the event, despite all challenges. He assured his full support, for another edition of the ACGC, probably in another country and in a larger scale.

Gladnews gathered that about 15 choirs, drawn from seven African countries, including host nation Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Togo, Cameroon, and South Africa, took part at the event.  They include; Harmonious Chorale, Akoo Show, Accra Diocesan, Grace Chorale, and Symphonials, all from Ghana; All-Female Choir, Bacmac Choir, and Lagos City Choir from Nigeria; host choir Chorale de Kigali, Choeur International, Alarm Ministries, Ishema Ryacu Choir, and Ensemble Instrumentale de Kigali among other choirs.

Winners at the event include; Nkosingiphile Lubisi (Classical Soloist Category); Bryan Aidoo (Gospel Soloist Category); All-Female Choir (Female Choir Category); Akoo Show Choir (African Folk and Traditional Chorus Category); The Symphonials (Sacred and Church Choir Category); Bokamoso Chorus (Opera Music Category); Bokamoso Chorus (Open Mixed Repertoire), among others. There were also special awards to Chorale de Kigali for having the most resplendent costume and to Heavenly Jewels Chorale for being the most represented choir in most ACGC 2022 activities. 

Gladnews reports that Christ Holy Church International was a major sponsor of the ACGC 2022.