By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—PENTECOSTAL Church leaders in Edo State, under the aegis of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, yesterday, declared their support for the developmental projects of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and vowed to assist him to succeed in prayers.

The men of God, who paid a courtesy call on the Governor at Government House Benin City, said, “the church leaders have confidence in you that your track records and your assumption of office as Governor marked a new era in Edo State. We will seek God’s direction on your behalf and you can call on us for assistance.”

The PFN chairman,  Rev. Isaac Ibitobiye, who led the delegation, said,  “our cooperation will enhance God’s blessing on Edo State because, the Church gives spiritual direction to government. It is our responsibility to pray for government because, it is the will of God for Christians to be in authority and the people will rejoice.”.

In his reaction, Governor Oshiomhole said that he was in office  as a result of the prayers of Nigerians and would not let them down.

“I appreciate the power of prayers because, if it were by way of money or connection, we would not have been here.Every month we stay here, it is because God has backed us against our adversaries to our advantage. In this too, I crave for your prayers the more. If there are suggestions of how we can do things better, we will call on you to please help.

“I am a bit hesitant in terms of spending public money on pilgrimage but, I will find ways of assisting the Church of God and not individuals. Your advice on what government should do is very well taken” he stated.

While addressing the economic issue raised by PFN, the Governor said, “We have ensured that fertilizers are distributed to farmers in the state and the closure of Okpella Cement factory is a big embarrassment because, it denies us funds and job creation or employment. However, the factory was privatised and sold by previous governments, and the ownership has also changed severally.

“However, discussions are on_going with the new owners but, I cannot promise that the place will be opened on a specific date. Also on Bendel Feeds where government’s share is 10 percent, it belongs to individuals and not government and the fertilizer plant in Auchi was dead on arrival and cannot function. What it takes to work is equal to establishing a new one.

We see the need to support existing businesses and new ones and we now have a deal with Dangote for a fertilizer plant and this will help in area of job creation”, the Governor stated.