By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
It was a great day filled with joy and gratitude as dignitaries from all walks of life, including relatives, Surveyors and workers from the Imo State Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning recently joined the family of Imo State Surveyor-General, Surv. Bob Uzodimma Odidika, to appreciate God for His mercies and faithfulness upon them all the years as well as rededicating themselves to His continuous guidance, protection and provisions.
Tagged: “Family Thanksgiving Ceremony” the event which started with a church service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Province 3 off 1st Inland Road, Owerri, was followed by a reception at the Imo State Secretariat of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) off Port-Harcourt Road Owerri where participants took turns to extol the virtues of Surv. Uzodimma Odidika.
Preaching during the service, Pastor Olotomo Olamiji, stressed the the need for Christians to always reflect on God’s faithfulness in their lives in order to appreciate Him, adding that the Lord whose mercy endures forever is always moved to do more wonders whenever He is appreciated, as he commended the family of Surv Uzodimma for the thanksgiving outing. While Pastor Joshua Ogbabeyi in-charge of the Province, while rejoicing with the celebrants, hinted that God in His mercies gave them reasons to be thankful.
Addressing his quests, the jubilant Imo Surveyor-General recounted God’s mercies upon their family, and thus declared: “We are here today because God helped us to choose a day like this to thank Him for His infinite mercies and goodness towards us. What we did and pray to do always is family thanksgiving not for a particular thing, but for the many things He has done for us over the years till now. And we are using this opportunity to pray for Him to do more in order to give us more reasons to thank Him.”
Furthermore, Surv Uzodimma, flanked by his wife, Mrs.Christiana Odidika; his Mother, Mrs. Regina Odidika and children, while expressing joy and gratitude to God over the gifts of his family, livelihood and other numerous blessings, encouraged the participants to always prioritize God in their affairs towards drawing His mercies. The Akuma, Oru-East LGA-born Surveyor used the opportunity and thanked all who came to rejoice with his family through the thanksgiving, and prayed for God’s blessings upon them.
The celebrant also used the occasion to laud Governor Uzodimma for his avowed dedication to rebuilding the state into enviable status as well as thanking him for giving him the opportunity to serve his government as the Surveyor-General.
Meanwhile, at the reception, the Chief Political Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma and Head, Imo State Government Political Bureau, Hon Barrister Enyinanya Onuegbu, who led other speakers, remarked that the radiance exuded by Odidika’s family testified of how far that God has led them. He used the opportunity to extol Surv Bob Uzodimma as a hardworking diligent, and faithful professional. While the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, Dr. Mrs. Angela Ohiri echoed the same testimony concerning Surv Odidika.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the occasion and the immediate past NNDC Director, Imo State, Engr. Tony Okanne, while appreciating the gathering, expressed his delight chairing the event, adding that his encounter with Surv. Odidika revealed his amiable qualities, as he charged participants to emulate the celebrant’s diligence, sincerity and dedication towards attaining great heights. Similarly, Mr. Uju Nwogu of the Nigerian Police Force, showed praises on Surv Odidika.
Many other speakers took turns to eulogize Surv Bob Uzodimma for his humility, calmness, dedication to responsibilities, unassuming and welcoming disposition. They included: Imo State Chairman of University of Lagos Alunmi Association, Barrister Tony Amadi; his Government Collage Owerri counterpart, Mr. Casmir Nwoga; Surv. Emeka Ezeigbo speaking on behalf of NIS, Imo State Chapter and the Director of Social, Akuma People in Owerri, Ichie Donatus Ohanusi who described the Imo Surveyor-General as a pride of his people.
As the guests were entertained to their fill in the spirit of the joyous celebration, however, the highpoint of the event was the solidarity displays from Imo State Surveyors in honour of Surv Bob Uzodimma Odidika and his family. Also in attendance included: Surv Dr. Kingsley Orisakwe, Chairman, Imo State NIS and Hon Chukwunyere Amaechi, the General Manager,cImo Geographic Information Agency among others.
