…Anuku, Omonade, Opone, Igede, Others Donate Toward ₦15m Evangelical Bus Project
By Foster Akpore
Orogun, Delta State — The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Orogun Unit, brought the year 2025 to a close with an end-of-year thanksgiving service and a fundraising drive for the acquisition of an evangelical bus aimed at strengthening Christian outreach within Orogun and neighbouring communities.
The event, held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at First Christ Apostolic Church, Orogun Town, commenced at 9.00 a.m. Rev. Godspower Ovakporaye served as the spiritual father of the day, with Chief Victor Igede as chairman of the occasion and Dr. (Mrs.) Edna Anuku as chairlady. The service attracted clergy, community leaders, and Christian faithful, including Hon. (Barr.) Matthew O. Omonade and Chief (Barr.) E. T. Opone.
The thanksgiving service, themed “Sacrifice of Thanksgiving” and drawn from Psalm 107:22, focused on gratitude expressed through action and service. In his remarks, the CAN Chairman, Rev. Gift Eze-efe, said the evangelical bus project was conceived to deepen evangelism, enhance mobility for outreach programmes, and strengthen the Church’s engagement with surrounding communities.
Rev. Eze-efe thanked God for the grace to organise what he described as a successful and uplifting programme and expressed appreciation to the clergy, invited guests, and members of the Christian community for their presence and generous support. He disclosed that the proposed evangelical bus would cost about ₦15 million and appealed to Christians within and outside Orogun to continue contributing until the project is realised.
According to him, the bus would not merely meet logistical needs but would serve as a tool for sustained evangelism, moral instruction, and community service across the kingdom.
A major highlight of the service was an address delivered on behalf of the President General of Orogun Kingdom, Chief Barr. E. T. Opone, who was represented by Mr. Foster Akpore, Media and Public Relations Officer of the kingdom. The address called for moral renewal, unity, and deeper engagement by the Church in shaping community values.
“A moment like this calls us not only to gratitude but to sober reflection. Such thanksgiving must be seen in how we live, how we relate with one another, and how we shape the future of our community,” the address stated.
The President General described the Church as the enduring moral compass of society and warned that declining values were often linked to a weakened moral voice. He urged churches to renew emphasis on integrity, discipline, respect for life, and the fear of God, particularly in mentoring young people.
On peace and conflict resolution, the address stressed that disagreements were inevitable but violence was unacceptable. Christian leaders were urged to play active roles in mediating disputes and calming tensions before they escalated. The message also underscored the need for unity and reconciliation, noting that unresolved grievances and personal pride weakened communal strength, while forgiveness restored dignity and rebuilt trust.
Addressing interfaith relations, the President General called for wisdom and restraint, noting that peaceful coexistence did not dilute faith but created room for cooperation on issues affecting collective wellbeing. He also expressed concern over cultism and drug abuse, describing them as destructive forces undermining young lives, families, and the future of the community, and called for stronger sensitisation and moral guidance.
Reaffirming his commitment to collaboration, Chief Opone pledged closer partnership with the Christian community and appealed for continued prayers and counsel, stressing that leadership required spiritual support and shared responsibility.
The fundraising segment recorded notable contributions. Dr. (Mrs.) Edna Anuku donated ₦500,000 and urged the Church to remain focused on evangelism and outreach as the core purpose of the project, emphasising prudent use of the funds. Hon. (Barr.) Matthew O. Omonade, represented by his legislative aide, Comrade Felix Okpako Orogunfere, donated ₦1,000,000, describing the contribution as an expression of Christian duty and support for evangelism.
Chief Victor Igede donated ₦100,000, while Comrade Okpako Orogunfere added ₦50,000. The President General of Orogun Kingdom, Chief Opone and his representative, Foster Akpore also made donations in support of the project.
The service ended with prayers for divine guidance, peace, and progress in Orogun Kingdom, alongside expressions of hope for a more united, morally grounded, and prosperous community in 2026.