My Life Is A Testimony-Ibori Testifies at Independent Newspaper Thanksgiving

Dayo Emmanuel

Publisher of the Independent newspaper, Chief James Ibori has testified that his life is a testimony to the glory of God.
Ibori made this submission at the annual thanksgiving service organised by the Christian fellowship of the Independent Newspapers Limited (INL) on Thursday.
The former Governor of Delta State commended the organisers of the fellowship for the great event.
“Six weeks ago I walked into this premises and I saw one of you walking out of a desolate area and I asked what are you doing there? The person said I am coming from the fellowship. I was surprised because I never knew there was anything like that,” he said.
Commending the efforts of the organisers he stated further that, “It is good that many of you here believe in the power of prayer. I got the wind of this event and I committed myself to attending. Coming here and seeing this elaborate event I thank God for you all.
Continuing, he said, “I recognise this is a special gathering for God and I believe every one of you believe in the power of God. I myself I am a testimony of what God can do. I always tell my friends, you don’t know tomorrow I don’t know what you can be tomorrow only God knows. Never underrate anybody because being a creature of God the person might be your helper tomorrow.”
“I thank you all for your prayer for the survival of this entity called the INL. This is a new day the business model for business has changed and we need to change as well,” he said.
Encouraging his workers on embracing the ethics of the profession, Ibori asked them to be fearless. “In journalism you have to be fearless. It is your duty to speak the truth to power and that is what the clergy do these days.”
On how he derives his joy, the Publisher who according to him rejected an offer to sell the business premises, said the company is one entity that gives him joy no matter how well or not the newspaper outfit is faring. “What gives me joy is not how well or not well the company is doing. What gives me joy is the opportunity for people working here to feed their families.”
“I said to him (someone who indicated interest in buying the facility) I don’t know the actual number of staff that works there but nationwide I know it is about 100 or more, that is what gives me joy. I said if you buy the place and I chase everyone working there to the streets, would you be able to sleep at night?”
Ibori also charged the journalists to always perform their civic responsibilities. “Do your job and hold us accountable. Remember to do your civic duty; register, hold your card, stand in the sun, in the rain and vote. Things are changing. Register, stay, persevere, and take all the irritations. If we don’t do well and you complain when you did not vote, the politicians will ask did you vote. At the end of the day if you do not vote you cannot complain.”
Also at the event tagged ‘He Has Done Great Things’ which attracted the management, present and former staff members of the organisation, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos chapter, Rev. Alexander Bamgbola asked the congregation to renew their dedication to God.
Reading from Psalms 127:1, he noted that except the Lord builds the house those that build labour in vain. He also read from Hebrews 3:4 and said every house is built by men but God is the builder of all things.
Bamgbola, a former Vice President of the world’s sixth largest bank stationed in the United States of America also said “Life is turn by turn. Where is the Drum magazine of the 60s and the rest? Where are the papers of the 80s, the Concord and others? Life is turn by turn, let us stand out and allow God to build our lives.”
He added that, “The press is under attack everywhere in the world and it is the savior of democracy, therefore let us do our work as unto the Lord.”
Talking about the second coming of Christ, Bamgbola told the congregation to prepare for the coming of Christ. “Jesus is not coming soon, but he is coming now. Let us be prepared. All the things you see in the world; the money and power are mirage, they are the ephemeral things that will come and pass away. What is important in life is to surrender our lives to our maker, let Him hold our lives, help us and lead us to heaven.”
In his own comment, Managing Director of the Independent newspaper, Mr. Ade Ogidan, the event was divinely organized. “Actually I would say that this program has been providentially scripted. I say this because the organisers might not be aware of the importance of today in the sense that the Lord has decided to deliver us from all the challenges,” he said.
Ogidan added that, “I can say that the company has come through various tribulations and I am happy to note that during our difficult time, God provided a shoulder for us to lean on and it is exemplified by the robust support from our Publisher. He is a great man of understanding and God will see that our publisher reaps the fruits of his labour. I will prefer that the company continues to move on than to throw people in the labour market.”