5yrs After Terrorist Attack: Agatu Church re-dedicated; Ortom Promises Total Peace, Donates Cash

...As Dr Williams, Ogebe, Others Appreciate God for His Faithfulness

The Honourable Joseph Odaudu, special representative of The Honorable Samuel Ortom of Benue State, cutting the ribbon of the newly rebuilt Agatu Methodist Church (church destroyed by terrorists 5 years ago)

By John Anthony Ikwulono 

It was a spirit-filled, special Easter celebration on Sunday 4th April, 2021 in the life of the people of Adagbo, Agatu, for not just having a gigantic edifice and place of worship handed over to them, but also having reassuring words of Hope in their lives from Governor Samuel Ortom and others who referred to them as peace loving people.

Barrister Emmanuel Ogebe; Methodist Bishop representative; Dr William Devlin at Agatu Methodist Church dedication Easter Sunday

The Executive Governor of Benue State Dr Samuel Ortom has promised to enhance Agriculture and facilitate developmental projects in Adagbo Agatu, referring to Agatu again as his second home. Governor Ortom who made this promise today during the dedication of newly built Methodist Church, appreciated Dr William PB Devlin from United States of America and Barr Emmanuel Ogebe for building such gigantic edifice for the people of Agatu.

Dr William Devlin with Obagaji Vice Chair John Anthony Ikwulono at dedication of Agatu Methodist Church

Represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Hon Joseph Odaudu, the Governor commended Adagbo people for embracing peace despite the level of destruction on their properties by Fulani Herdmen some years back which equally led to the death of many. Governor Ortom through his representative, pledged to support the Church with some amount of money to enable them do other things as a way of complimenting what Williams and his team had done.

New sign at Agatu Methodist Church Easter Sunday 2021

The Governor urged other philanthropists who are indigines of the State to emulate what Americans did in Agatu, saying it was a big challenge for them to have people from outside Nigeria to remember them this way. He encouraged herdsmen and others to go into ranching to avoid destruction of farmers' crops. 

Easter Sunday 2021 dedication of Agatu Church, Benue State. Dr William Devlin in foreground

In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman Agatu LGC Hon Sule Adoyi thanked Dr Williams and Barr Emmanuel Ogebe for this huge support to Christians by building this structure, saying he lack works to appreciate them. He urged Adagbo people to guide the Church jealousy. Hon Adoyi who came in briefly to witness the dedication and later rushed for another engagement said even though he had earlier directed his deputy to represent him, he decided to rush down and witness the exercise due to the importance he attached to the project.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Williams expressed joy for giving him and Barr Emmanuel Ogebe to affect the lives of Adagbo people positively, saying he felt fufiled as God used them to wipe away tears from the faces of the people of Adagbo.

Helping a family with infant formula who recently had triplets! At Agatu Methodist Church, Odagbu, Benue State

In his address, Barr Ogebe who facilitated the building of the Church gave brief history of how he came across the destroyed Church in 2016 when no resident of Adagbo and other villages were around due to the effect of the crisis which made people to desert their homes, said, he quickly told God that; "because I passed through this route to see this destroyed Church in this  way, it will never remain thesame and my joy is that, today what the people have gotten, is far better than what they had before, that was destroyed by herdsmen". He said for the sake of this project, Dr William had visited Nigeria four times within five months, appreciating him for his love for the people. He cited Joel 2:1-32, Eph 2:22.

Very Rev. John Oyinu Presbyter incharge of Obagaji Circuit in Apa Diocese, gave inspiring sermon from 1st Chronicles 29:10-14, Ephesians 2:14-22, Matthew 1613-18.

The Vice Chairman Agatu LGC Hon John Ikwulono, Barr Emmanuel Ogebe and Gyasi Summerville from New York City read the first, second and third readings for the day.

Gyasi thanked Dr Williams for what he has done and for making him to be part of his Entourage to Nigeria.

Hon. Joseph Odaudu representing Gov. Sam Ortom with Dr. William Devlin of REDEEM! NGO

The dedication event featured captivating dance by different dance groups/choirs as the representative of the Governor Hon Joseph Odaudu ordered everyone to dance to the Glory of God with himself leading as a mark of overjoy.

There was novelty match between Abugbe and Adagbo with both equalizing the match on Saturday 3rd April 2021 preparatory to the dedication day. The event was successful.

Heavy security presence, Agatu Church