ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has described 2022 as a year of “pursuing, overtaking and recovery”, calling on Nigerians to remain resilient in the face of seemingly intractable challenges.
Ewhrudjakpo stated this while sharing his outlook of the year with journalists shortly after attending a New Year mass at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, at his country home, Ofoni, in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor commended Bayelsans and Nigerians alike for their resilience and urged them not to despair over the socio-economic and security problems rocking the country but rather keep their hopes alive for a better Nigeria.
He also stressed the need for the leadership and entire citizenry to have the fear of God in their dealings for them to attract divine blessings in the New Year.
Speaking on the significance of the New Year Day, the Bayelsa number two man explained that the day is observed among Catholic faithful as the Solemnity of the Blessed Mary.
Ewhrudjakpo said it was a day the universal Catholic church celebrates Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who is also accepted as the symbolic mother of all Christians in the Catholic doxology.
He noted that the Church of Christ was built on two basic foundations of Scripture and acceptable Church traditions which have stood the test of time.
He seized the opportunity to call on mothers to emulate the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, to join their husbands in bringing up their children in the true fear of the Lord for the betterment of society.
Ewhrudjakpo, who wished the people a happy new year, also called on the youths to be law-abiding and shun cultism, kidnapping, sea piracy, and all forms of criminality in the new year.
He said: “Today in the Catholic faith, we call it the Solemnity of the blessed Mary. It is a day we must go to church whether it falls on Saturday or not, we have a duty to go church. That is why it is a solemnity.
“The universal Catholic church believes that today is the day to celebrate the Mother of God, who is the Mother of all Christians. The Church is built on two foundations. These foundations are the Scriptures and traditions.
“On the question of my outlook for the New year, I strongly believe it is replete with so many good things for us as a state and even for our country. It is a year of pursuing, overtaking and recovery. So, I call on Nigerians to keep their hopes alive.”