ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
The President, Royal Queens of Niger Delta Initiative (RQNDI), Dr Josephine Diete-Spiff has urged Christians in Nigeria to support the Church both financially and otherwise towards ameliorating the problems dogging the country.
Dr Josephine, who is Queen of Twon-Brass Kingdom, Bayelsa State and wife of the first military Governor of old Rivers State, made the call during her investiture as Knight of the Anglican Communion at St. Peter’s Deanery, Ovom, Yenagoa, the state capital.
She said her conferment of knighthood meant a higher service to God, adding that Christians should rise up and fight for their rights and the goal of Christianity.
She said: “I became a born again Christian in 1979 specifically, and got baptised in 1980. I have been a Christian ever since. I believe that I have just entered another phase of my life as a Christian. Today’s honour means higher service to God and I believe that God has a plan for me in the ministry and it is about to explode.
“My advice is that people should support the church both in prayers and in giving. Today, the problems we have in Nigeria can be handled by the church, but it cannot rise up and fight because the church has nothing to do so.Â
“So I am making a clarion call today that people should support the church both financially and otherwise so that we as Christians can rise up and fight for the survival of our future here on earth and eternity by defending the faith for which we are called.
“This is over 2000 years since Jesus Christ left and whether you believe it or not, he is coming back. If you want to make eternity, then as a good steward, you must prove that you have used the talent and skills He gave to you judiciously.
“If you are a Christian out there, make use of that opportunity that God has given you and support the church so that the gate of hell will not prevail against it in Nigeria.”
Speaking in an interview, the Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, OFR, while felicitating with Queen Josephine, said her conferment of knighthood was the culminating point of her service to God.
He admonished his wife to keep the flag flying, adding that service to God is everlasting.
Diete-Spiff said: “She is very religious. She is an Evangelist; called to minister in different churches, which she has done effectively. She has also been ordained by the Anglican before now as an Evangelist. All that and this is a culminating point of it and we are very proud of her.
“Political power is temporary, money power is earthly, but spiritual power is everlasting.”
Also speaking, the member representing Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, stressed the need for Christians to live a Christ-like life, saying that is the only way that guarantees a heavenly kingdom on earth.
Sunny-Goli stated: “It is a good thing for us to see our Queen being conferred as a Knight of the Anglican Communion. It is a testimony that she has done well for herself and her people and that is why we are all here to celebrate with her in a moment of joy and we wish her all the best.”
Commending Dame Josephine for her dedication to service to God and charitable gesture to the less privileged and the elderly, the Secretary, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Wives Association, HRM Queen Diongoli Bolou Tecy, said her conferment as Knight was an uplift to take her further.
She said: “Queen Josephine Diete-Spiff has been in the course over the years reaching out, like they preached in the church today, a service unto God. She has been a wonderful giver. This is from the grassroots. She is a life-giver.Â
“I have joined her to some communities to carry out her charity programs and she is excelling in it. No doubt, Jesus is taking her far. She will do exceedingly beautiful.”