By Austin Ogwuda
Former Commissioner for Technical Education in Delta State, Hon. Joan Onyemaechi aka Ada Anioma made her first public appearance today (Sunday), narrated how God saved her life during the ten tortuous days she spent in the kidnappers’ den, which elicited tears from the worshippers as she gave her testimony.
Speaking at a special thanksgiving held at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) headquarters in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria in an
emotion-laden voice, Joan said, “Please, take each day of your life as if it could be the last day; I am one of those who say, God forbid when I hear, take each day as if it could be the last, but that is the reality, we should take each day as if it could be the last.
“You have come to rejoice with me but take each day as if it could be the last; when I was in the boat going to where I did not know, He (God) said, ‘I am with you.’
“I went through that journey for 10 days, as I embarked on that journey I prayed to God. I am here with you because God said, ‘I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy,’ and I came to thank God that it pleased Him to show me mercy.
“We should begin to caution ourselves, don’t say what you do not know, fear God with our mouth, the people who came for me did not know me, I didn’t know them, who went to tell them about me?
“Today, Isaac, my driver is gone, they gunned down the Inspector of Police, a man with two wives who came from Sokoto to do his job, we should be careful with what we say, our assumptions, God bless you all. Indeed, God answered His name”, she stated tearfully.
…… She wasn’t saved because she was powerful – Minister
Earlier, the Senior Regional Overseer of MFM, Pastor Emeka Ikpeama, attributed the success stories of people to God, “You are where you are today because of the mercy of God, not because you are powerful, so give thanks to God always.
“We are here to say, God, thank you for saving the life of our beloved sister and mummy.
How many times have you said God, I am grateful? We should learn to give thanks to God for His mercy upon us, His blessings upon us”, he counselled.
On his part, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme lamented that “The level of insecurity in different parts of the country call for serious concern and we urge the Federal Government which has the security apparatus to arrest the situation to do so.
“We thank our security men for the sacrifices they are making day and night for our country to be more peaceful.
“Delta is a praying State; this is the reason that we are witnessing the goodness of the Lord among us as a people and as a state.
“Our dear State, Delta, is enjoying relative peace; this is the reason we are seeing a lot of investors and holiday makers coming into our state.
“We will continue to rely on God for our state to be more peaceful and for us not to experience any more ugly incidents bearing in mind, the words of God in the book of Psalm 127 verse 1 that, ‘Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.’
“Once again, our Ada Anioma, congratulations and we join you in saying, thank God for His blessings.
….Roll call of dignitaries who accompanied her to the thanksgiving
The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife, Dame Edith, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emumotimi Guwor; Member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi; his counterpart in Aniocha/Oshimli, Hon. Ngozi Okolie; Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, that of Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, the Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Festus Ochonogor among others.