Christian Community Honours Ex Gombe Acting CJ
It was a day to celebrate, as thousands of well wishers joined retired Acting Chief Judge, Justice Beatrice Lazarus Iliya, rejoices God’s faithfulness in her life.
Thousands of well wishers converged at the CAN Centre to join Retired Acting Chief Judge, Gombe State as she celebrates God’s faithfulness in her life.
Christian Association of Nigeria Centre, Gombe ,venue of the programme was filled to the brim with the high and the lowly expressing gratitude to God for leading the retired Acting Chief Judge through thick and thin in her entire career.
The Gombe State Deputy Governor who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion said it’s worth appreciating God for seeing Justice Beatrice Iliya throughout her service successfully.
Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau noted that the act of Thanksgiving is an indication that one is God-fearing, not greedy and appreciated the provision and guidance of the Almighty in his or her life.
Quoting from the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 9 verse 11, the Deputy Governor stressed that, to succeed in life, the race is not for the swift nor for the strong but for those who trust in the Lord.
He called on her to copy from him and consider using her retirement life in assisting humanity.
Delivering his sermon, Bishop John Wesley Yohanna of United Methodist Church of Nigeria, likened Justice Beatrice Iliya as the Biblical Queen Esther who chose the path of justice for her people rather than seek part of the kingdom.
Taking his text from book of Esther 7:1-8, and other references, the Bishop charged the congregation to always seek what will benefit the entire society and save humanity irrespective of religious or tribal differences whenever opportunity presents itself.
Addressing the celebrant, the clergyman said, that because she has served God and humanity through serving Gombe State and Nigeria diligently, she would be victorious in every way of her future endeavours.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Members of Federal House of Representatives, representing Kaltungo/Shongom and Balanga/Billiri Constituencies, Hon. Simon Karu and Hon. Victor Danzaria Mela, congratulated the retired Acting Chief Judge for a successful retirement, urging her to accept whatever happened in the course of her carrier as an act of God.
Other goodwill messages came from the Member, representing Billiri East in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Rambi Ibrahim Ayala, Justice Haruna Habila Kereng the representative of the Chief Judge, Gombe State, Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak, Hon. Justice Ebiowei Tobi J.C.A on behalf of Peniel Forum, United Methodist Church, Board of Trustee, Dr. Mike Dio, The immediate past Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria ( CLASFON) Dr. Moses Stone Okwori and Justice Julian Asabe Kyentu P.C.A. ( Rtd) on behalf of friends.
They all described the retired Justice Beatrice Lazarus Iliya as a lovely, humble, diligent and dedicated person who served in various capacities growing through the ranks as a lawyer and a judge to the pinnacle of her carrier, wishing her a successful retirement life.
In her testimony, Justice Beatrice Iliya explained that, she started her journey as a practicing lawyer in 1982 in the then Bauchi State as a state counsel, and as a judge in 1999.
She said, the story of her carrier has been one of challenges, rigours and successes, ascribing glory unto God for starting well and ending well.
She appreciated God for raising Destiny helpers who stood by her through thick and thin, and appreciated her immediate family members especially her husband whose support can not be quantified and also to her extended family for being supportive to her.
Earlier, in his address of welcome, the CAN Chairman, North East, Dr. Abare Kallah welcomed everybody to the event which he described as celebrating the goodness and faithfulness of God in the entire carrier of Justice Beatrice Iliya.
Periscope Nigeria reports that Justice Iliya, is a product of University of Maiduguri, Borno State. She began her carrier in 1982 as State Counsel with defunct Bauchi State and rose through the ranks to become Deputy Director Litigations. She was appointed a High Court Judge in 1999 and Acting Chief Judge in 2019.
Highlights of the occasion include songs of praise to God by various groups.
