Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has received an international missionary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Cheol Soo Han, who briefed him on the church’s One Voice Global Programme aimed at spreading the message of Jesus Christ across the world.
Pastor Han, an Adventist global missionary from Grovetown Korean-English Church, Georgia-Cumberland Conference, United States, paid the visit to Governor Otti on Saturday after concluding a week-long evangelistic campaign in the Ehimiri District of the church in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
During the meeting, the missionary commended the governor for his commitment to public service and continued support for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, particularly his contributions towards the construction of church buildings across the state.
Expressing appreciation for the governor’s support, Pastor Han described it as a demonstration of kindness and cooperation with the church.
In a brief message titled “The Mission of a Leader Appointed by God,” drawn from Proverbs 21:1, the international evangelist emphasised that leadership should be defined by service rather than the pursuit of power.
He noted that leaders appointed by God have a responsibility to serve the people, protect the vulnerable, promote justice and work towards the common good of society.
Pastor Han also offered special prayers for Governor Otti, asking God to grant him wisdom, strength and good health to continue serving the people of Abia State.
Responding, Governor Otti welcomed the missionary and his entourage to Nigeria and Abia State, describing their visit as a blessing. He also expressed appreciation for the prayers and spiritual message delivered by the visiting evangelist.
The governor congratulated the church on the successful completion of its week-long evangelistic campaign and requested that Pastor Han extend his warm greetings to his family and members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United States.
Otti also expressed his willingness to welcome the missionary back to Abia whenever the opportunity arises.
The governor, whose late father was a pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, has maintained a longstanding relationship with the church and has consistently supported Christian activities, including the construction, renovation and rehabilitation of church buildings.
According to the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Otti’s contributions to religious causes have largely been made from his personal resources, as he maintains that government funds must be strictly reserved for official government responsibilities.
Speaking on the One Voice Global Programme, the President of the Abia North Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Kennedy Ihuoma, explained that the initiative was designed to commemorate 2,000 years since the baptism of Jesus Christ and the subsequent baptism of the Holy Spirit.
He said the programme brings Adventists across the world together, irrespective of their languages and cultural differences, to proclaim one central message: “Jesus loves you.”
Pastor Ihuoma further explained that the global initiative seeks to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ through coordinated evangelistic campaigns involving local congregations, with the ultimate goal of winning more souls for Christ.
Earlier on Saturday, Governor Otti attended Sabbath worship at the Umuehim Seventh-day Adventist Church in his country home before proceeding to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Amuha District.
Pastor Han was accompanied during the visit by Pastor Kennedy Ihuoma; the Executive Secretary of the Abia North Conference, Pastor Samuel Egbuta; its Treasurer, Mrs. Rebecca Ugochukwu; and the Principal of Adventist Technical Secondary School, Ebem, Ohafia, Pastor Dr. E.K.K. Uguru, among other church leaders.
The governor was also accompanied to the Sabbath worship by the member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Roland Chinwendu; Labour Party South-East National Vice Chairman, Hon. Ismael Onuoha; and the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Hon. Nnadozie Nwaogwugwu, among other dignitaries.
The visit underscored the continued collaboration between the Abia State Government and religious institutions in promoting spiritual development, community service and the welfare of the people.
