SAN FRANCISCO, August 27, (THEWILL) – The president of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has come hard on corrupt politicians in the country, saying politicians who steal government funds started stealing from their homes.
Oritsejafor, who also lamented the paucity of funds in CAN, said since he assumed office, he has not taken a kobo from the purse of the association because the association is grossly underfunded.
“CAN is starving, we don’t have money. Christians don’t fund the association and so I use my own money to run CAN,” he said.
Pastor Oritsejafor stated this while speaking at the inter-denominational thanksgiving service organised to mark the 22nd anniversary of Delta State .
Speaking at the service which held at the Winner Chapel, Warri, Oritsejafor said politicians and public servants who steal government funds did not wake up one night and start the act, saying they mastered the act from their homes and even in the church where they worship.
“Those who steal government fund started from their homes, even the church, ” he said as he urged government officials, including church workers to be faithful with the resources entrusted to them .
The CAN President, who urged Christians to always thank God at all time, described the general impression that “money intoxicates” as erroneous, saying t people who misbehave because of the huge financial resources left in their care already had the innate tendency for being greedy even before getting the money they have.
“People say money intoxicates but for me, those who misbehave because of money have that innate character to misbehave and not because of the money they have gotten. Power and position can turn one” s head but we need not misuse it. Power belongs to God and we are just custodian of power, ” Oritsejafor said.
He urged Christians particularly government functionaries to be effective and efficient in wherever they work, saying the reason why government is not working effectively is that government workers are negligent in their duties. “We have to be effective and efficient as Daniel in anywhere we find ourselves,” he said.
In his remarks at the occasion, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State called on his people to join in the effort to develop the state, saying he cannot do it alone. He also called on the three arms of government in the state to carry out their jobs effectively.
The governor, who stressed the need to move the state forward, said all hands must be on deck, stressing that despite all the challenges the state was passing through, the state will finish strong.
“As a state, we have moved very fast and in those 13 years, we had our challenges. But with prayers, we are overcoming most of those challenges. The state was associated with violence before now but today Delta is adjudged as one of the most peaceful states,” he said.
Uduaghan assured the people of a much brighter future , stressing that in terms of peace and security, the state was doing well compared to other states in the country.
Governor Uduaghan also urged all the aspirants in the fortcoming Delta Central Senatorial election to be peaceful in their campaigns, saying only one person will emerge winner.
“Let me welcome the politicians, especially those of you that are campaigning for the Delta Central Senatorial seat; I can see many of them here. Make your campaigns peacefully and make it non-violent because it is only one person that can win the election,” he said.
On security, the governor expressed gratitude to the security outfits in the state, saying their effort in maintaining peace and security in the state was commendable.
“In terms of peace and security, Delta State is doing very well and we must thank our security agencies that are present, like the army, police, SSS, Air Force . I greet all of you. Please do not be tired in your efforts of keeping the peace,” he said.
The governor read the first scripture which was taken from the Book of Psalm 138: 1-8, while the deputy governor, Prof. Emos Utuama, read the second scripture from the Book of Philippian 1: 1-14 at the service.
