PH Mundial – Port Harcourt Online Newspaper News Across The Region
Related Articles
By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
It was double celebrations recently at Ughelli main town, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State as a young Urhobo philanthropist and a Ghana-based businessman, Prince Oghenerukevwe Okifo, dedicated his son, Master Oghenerukevwe Akpoviroro in the church and also opened for business a newly built service apartments with modern facilities.
Prince Okifo is also the CEO and founder of Prince Oghenerukevwe Okifo Foundation (POOF).
The child dedication service, which took place at Abraham African Church, was conducted by the bishop of the African Church, Ughelli Diocese, Rt. Rev. W. E. Onorienobohwo, and supported by another bishop of the church from Rivers West Diocese in Rivers State, Rt. Rev. James Agbotu, and other anointed priests of the African Church.
Rt. Rev. Onorienobohwo, who also gave the sermon, admonished the couple to train the child in the way of the Lord and also in enduring societal values and Christian principles.
The man of God applauded and appreciated Prince Okifo for helping to renovate and beautify the Abraham African Church, with the added promise to provide the church with a sound proof generator very soon.
The service, which was moderated by the provost/vicar of the church, Ven. Franklyn Lahai, ended with blessings on the child, Master Oghenerukevwe Akpoviroro, and on his parents, Prince and Mrs. Oghenerukevwe Okifo by the bishop of the diocese amidst cheers and applause from the congregation.
Immediately after the church service, the congregation, led by the two bishops, and joined by family members and other guests, went straight to the official opening of the service apartments, with modern facilities, built by Prince Okifo in Ughelli town for rent and lodging.
The ceremony which was also performed by the bishop of the church witnessed yet another large crowd of people from within and outside the country in attendance.
Addressing dignitaries and other guests after cutting the tape to declare open the service apartments, the celebrant, Prince Okifo thanked his guests for honouring his invitation to the two events.
“My heart is filled with joy to see my family members, especially my beloved parents and dear siblings, my bosom friends and business associates, my Lord Bishops and other pastors and other invited guests come to celebrate today with me and my immediate family. We are indeed grateful for your support and prayers.
“I’m a young man, but I always like to invest at home with my little income. I’m happy when I see my people progressing in life. It’s a thing of joy in my life. These service apartments are meant for rentage for a week, a month or a year.
“There is 24 hours power supply and our security is second to none. There are other modern facilities to make the apartments more comfortable for its users. The essence of investing my hand earned financial resources here is for my people to patronize the place. I want to advise other Urhobo people living abroad to invest back home to boost the country’s dwindling economy and improve the living standard of our people.
“Once again, I want to thank all of you for joining me and my family to celebrate the dedication of my son and also to open this place for business,” he said.
Also speaking during the reception, the secretary of the Prince Oghenerukevwe Okifo Foundation (POOF) and a one-time councillor for Evwreni Ward, Hon. Desmond Okpako, thanked his principal, Prince Oghenerukevwe Okifo for his vision and business ideas and also for his philanthropy and generosity for the populace and the less privileged in various communities across Urhobo nation.
Hear him: “My principal is a young man that every Urhobo youth should learn to emulate in life. I must commend him for the love he has for his people back at home here. He’s unlike so many of our young people living abroad that do not care to ask about home or visit home again. He has invested heavily on so many areas of life back at home here. This is one we are just witnessing today.
“The foundation he established has done a lot for people in different communities across Urhobo land. He’s very generous and kind. He’s not proud because of his wealth as many rich people do. Therefore, I want to join him thank every person present in today’s two occasions. Truly, there is attestation and testimony that givers never lack any good thing in life. We are very grateful for the success and peaceful celebrations.”
Among those that attended the events were Hon. Fidelis Adjogbe, Hon. Marcus Uba, Mr. Esiri Uba, T. Y. Oghorada, Mr. Skippo, Mr. Benedict Adjarho and host of others.
