The Ebonyi State Government House Chapel has held its 2020 Special Thanksgiving Service with praises and reverence to God.

The Special Thanksgiving Service was held at the newly constructed Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, Igbere TV  reports.

Addressing the congregation, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi revealed that Thanksgiving was in response to the knowledge that God requires the heart of gratitude as a token of appreciation for his good deeds to humanity. 

He said, though the year which started well was truncated by Coronavirus pandemic and Endsars protests, Ebonyians have every reason to thank God for his mercies and blessings in the year 2020. 

Umahi said: "Let me thank God that when the distractions and all kinds of security threats came, the Lord never left us". 

He thanked God that despite the turbulence of 2020, Ebonyi State has prospered in leaps and bounds. 

He said: "We have every reason as a people and as a State to glorify God when you travel outside the State you will understand that we have every reason to dance the song of Frank Edward ."

He reaffirmed that from Monday, 21st of December 2020, the COVID Welfare Committee would commence the distribution of the second tranche of palliative to the people in each polling unit to give succour to the people during the yuletide. 

Governor Umahi reiterated that every Civil servant and pensioner would in addition to their salaries be given 10,000 honoraria, and also receive 2 bags of rice each. 

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He appealed to Ebonyians to embrace the COVID 19 protocol to avert the second wave of Coronavirus in the State. 

The Governor assured Ebonyians of adequate security for a hitch-free celebration of Christmas and new year and appealed to Ebonyians to always volunteer security information to security agencies for optimum performance. 

He expressed hope of a more prosperous 2021, promising to complete some laudable projects like the airport, the shopping mall, among others within the next year. 

Furthermore, he explained that following the government's priority in Education and Health following the 2021 budget which has Education and Health as the highest appropriation, the Government will be doing more in these key sectors in 2021.

In an exhortation, the Chaplain of Government House Chapel, Pastor Eunice Oyeyemi of Christ Embassy Church Mile 50, Abakaliki admonished Christians to always serve God in words and truth to attract his blessings. 

Eunice said: "We must understand that serving God is not optional, it is mandatory for all that is created by God to serve him".

She encouraged them to strive to pay greater attention to the things of God in 2021 to enrich their spiritual lives. 

Pastor Oyeyemi expressed hope that God would protect Ebonyians from the second wave of Coronavirus. 

She added: "God who helped us in the first wave is mighty and even stronger to protect us from the second wave."

The Proceeds of the Thanksgiving will be offered as succour to less privileged bodies and individuals in the State in the spirit of Christmas.