The President of the Royal Queens of Niger Delta Initiative and wife of the First Military Governor of old River State, Dame (Dr.) Evangelist Josephine Diete-Spiff Esq has called on Christians in Nigeria to support the Church both financially and otherwise by making judicious use of the talents and skills God has deposited in them.
The Queen of Twon-Brass kingdom made the call during her investiture as Knight of the Anglican Communion held on Sunday at St. Peter’s Deanery, Ovom in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
According to Dame Josephine, her conferment of knighthood means a higher service for God, adding that Christians should rise up and fight for their rights and the goal of Christianity.
She said, “I got born again in 1979 specifically and got baptized 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 for God and I believe that God has a plan for me in the ministry and it is about to explode.
“My advise 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.
“So 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 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 the talent he gave to you and skill he gave to you, that you have used it judiciously.
“If you are a Christian out there at the sound of my voice, listening to me, 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, HRM King Alfred Diete-Spiff, OFR while felicitating with Queen Josephine said her conferment of knighthood was the culminating point of her service to God.
The first military governor of Rivers State admonished her to keep the flag flying, adding that service to God is everlasting.
“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.
“They said political power is temporarily, money power earthly but spiritual power is everlasting”, King Alfred said.
Also, the member representing Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Sunny Goli stressed the need for Christians to live a Christ-like life, saying that is the only way that guarantee heavenly kingdom on earth.
“It is a good thing for us to see our queen been 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 elderly, the Secretary, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Wives Association, HRM Queen Deaconess Diongoli Bolou Tecy said her conferment as Knight is an upliftment to take her further.
“She 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 grassroot. She is a life giver. 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” Queen Diongoli said.
