Former President Goodluck Jonathan was on Sunday joined by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and their host, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, at the thanksgiving service marking the 60th birthday celebration of respected cleric, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey.
The event, which coincided with Apostle Zilly-Aggrey’s 29th wedding anniversary, was held at his Royal House of Grace International Church’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking through a virtual message at the service, Dr. Jonathan said Zilly-Aggrey’s life had been a blessing to the body of Christ.
Jonathan noted that over the years, the clergyman had worked hard and recorded tremendous successes in the vineyard of God reconciling man with God.
“You have continued to use the pulpit to reconcile man back to God. You have brought peace and unity among people,” he said.
Congratulating him on his twin celebrations, the former president prayed God to continue to sustain him in the path of truth, righteousness and grace just as he wished him more years of marital bliss.
Also, Governor Diri described Zilly-Aggrey as a man of many parts, who has used his ministry to make a difference in the lives of people by changing their mindset towards the service of God.
The governor said he was joining the people of Bayelsa and Rivers states as well as the entire Ijaw nation to celebrate the cleric and his family, noting that he has cut his teeth in the service to humanity and God.
Senator Diri restated his position that the people of Bayelsa and Rivers states were one and called for more collaboration to foster peace, unity and development.
“Bayelsans are here in their numbers because they love you. The good Lord who has kept you up to 60 years, we pray will add
another 60 years.
“The people of Bayelsa and Rivers are brothers and sisters. Bayelsa was created as a result of administrative convenience to fast-track development.
“We do not need to carry arms against each other. We need to collaborate to bring development very fast to our people.”
The Bayelsa helmsman said as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the country’s 2023 elections, the only place to seek political power was in the house of God rather than resort to carrying arms against one another.
He urged Christians not to shy away from politics but actively participate in order to sanitise the system and engender overall development.
“There is no other place to seek for power than the house of God. I am a living testimony.
“Christians cannot run away from politics. Do not say politics is very dirty because after God’s power, you have political power. I encourage all of you to participate in politics in order to change the political atmosphere.”
Also speaking, Governor Wike, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Engr. Emeka Woke, congratulated Zilly-Aggrey on his twin celebrations.
He described the cleric as an inspirational and great man of God whose contributions in the service of the Lord has brought countless souls unto salvation and prayed God to continually bless and prosper his ministry.
Responding, Apostle Zilly -Aggrey expressed gratitude to God for preserving him and his family over the years, saying God had delivered him from death severally.
According to the church’s General Overseer, he has enjoyed overwhelming love and support from both the people of Bayelsa and Rivers states.
He said in 2017, he was honoured as the only clergyman with the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS) by Governor Wike and for which he remains grateful.
Dignitaries that attended the thanksgiving service include wife of the Bayelsa governor, Dr. Gloria Diri, former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby and his wife, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, other lawmakers and commissioners from the state.
Others are Secretary to the Bayela State Government, Dr. Konbowei Benson, wife of first civilian governor of the state, Mrs Margaret Alamieyeseigha, member, Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Chief Remi Kuku among others.