The monthly prayer meeting, organized by the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, was held in Oye-Ekiti, in Oye Local Government Area of the state, to seek God’s intervention in the challenges confronting the nation.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Samuel Alaba Abejide, represented by the Commission’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Titilayo Toba-Ojo, emphasized the significance of collective prayers as a means to connect with God.
He added that citizens should return to God by obeying, His commandments and living lives worthy of emulation.
The Chairman charged the staff to be dutiful, diligent, and honest in the discharge of their duties. According to him, the Bible says people should work and pray, thus, “you must imbibe work ethics and attitudinal changes in order to enhance quality service delivery at the grassroots for the improvement of the lives of the rural dwellers.”
Chief Abejide thanked the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for prioritizing the welfare of local government workers. According to the Chairman, the 2022 promotion letters were ready for collection to enable qualified officers to enjoy the financial benefits, effective from June 2024.
The Commission Chairman urged the workers to be loyal to the government of the day and shun partisan politics adding “you must join hands with Mr Governor in the tasks of developing the State.”
Earlier in his sermon, Pastor Isaac Idowu, who addressed the public servants in attendance, quoted from the scriptures Judges 6:1 and Psalms 50:15.
According to him, “human knowledge appears incapable of resolving the nation’s challenges; hence the need to seek God’s intervention through prayers and supplications.”
He urged the people to live their lives according to the Holy books with emphasis on honesty and love in order to attract God’s immeasurable blessings.
Highlights of the prayers were supplications to God concerning the spate of kidnappings, banditry and killings and the economic crises in the country.
In her remarks, the Chairman of Oye Local Government, Princess Adesola Bamisile, speaking on behalf of other Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) Chairmen, commended the initiative and urged the workers to be patient with the government regarding the various reforms. She expressed confidence that these reforms would soon yield positive results.
She said, “all hands must be on deck for the success of the BAO Administration in Ekiti State and President Bola Tinubu.”
Speaking on behalf of the workers, Comrade Gbenga Falodun, NULGE branch chairman, called on the minimum wage negotiating team to expedite action so that workers could finally heave a sigh of relief.
The well-attended prayer session for the local government, Ekiti State, and Nigeria had in attendance Honourable Sola Oniyelu, Chairman of Ifeloju LCDA in Ilupeju Ekiti; Honorable Muyiwa Ajibola, Chairman of Ifesowapo LCDA in Isan Ekiti; and Honourable Ajayi Aderemi Samuel, Chairman of Ayede LCDA. Also present were political appointees and other top government functionaries.