Gombe Deputy Gov, Former CJ Hakila Heman, others, pour encomiums, as Justice Paul Idi Apollos celebrates 65th birthday, retirement
….. calls for good end in life span,as Clergyman cautions Christians
It was a joyous celebration as family, well wishers of Justice Paul Idi Apollos, appreciated God’s faithfulness over 65th birthday and retirement after putting statutory years of service.
ECWA Goodnews Church, GRA Gombe, venue of the celebration was filled to the brim with Guests from across the country who came to share in the Celebration.
The Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, who was Special Guest of Honour at the occasion joined the teaming well wishers to extol the virtues of the celebrant by living into ideals of Bibles, of humanity and of the course of dispensing justice while in service.
The Deputy Governor said Justice Paul Idi Apollos, has shown commitment in all his endeavours and remained focused in his service to God, and making good opportunity to fulfill his purpose while still very active, in line with Biblical injunction in serving God while strong.
He said, ” To God be the glory and gratitude for bringing us here to worship and attend this Thanksgiving service. Thanksgiving is usually taken for granted, but the truth is that, only those who acknowledges God as the giver of every good thing, do thanksgiving. That Justice Apollos is appreciating God,shows that,he knows God has been his provider, keeper and sustainer.
” I, on behalf of the Governor, Government and good people of Gombe State, rejoice with Justice Apollos on this occasion of celebrating God’s faithfulness for 65th birthday, and retirement from service after putting in statutory years of service.
” I knew Justice Apollos for over 40 years. He has been very committed in doing the work of his Master in line with John 9;4, which says ” I must do the work of my Master while it is still day..”. He has also done it well in line with Ecclesiastes 9;10, which says ” whatever your hand finds to do , do it well.
” He has occupied the fields of the judiciary and the Missions in line with the 2023 ECWA Theme ” Occupy till I come” Luke 19;13.
” Despite all these, may I observe and plead with Justice Apollos to consider giving a helping hand in the Law Department of Gombe State University ( GSU). I made similar appeals to Justice Hakila Heman, Justice Joseph Awak, Justice Beatrice Iliya, and others during their retirements.”
He noted the need for Justice Apollos and others who have retired already to continue to serve God and humanity until their death.
Jatau seized the opportunity to solicit for prayers from all religious bodies for a successful transition and overcoming of challenges facing the nation.
Speaking earlier, Former Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Hakila Heman said the celebrant has worked closely with him for greater part of his career and has lived a fulfilled years of service in the judiciary and God’s vineyard.
The former C.J, Hakila explained to the congregation that the Judiciary shall miss Justice Apollos for his service, accommodative tendencies and commitment to human relations.
He congratulated Justice Apollos and wished him a happy retirement life and prayed for his good health recovery as he will have more time for his family members, especially his wife who stood so supportive by his side even while in time of his ill health condition.
In his Goodwill message, the Chairman Gombe State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN, Reverend Father Joseph Alphonsus Shinga, appreciated God for His guidance in the life of spiritual life of Justice Paul Idi Apollos who has proved himself as a role model that need to be emulated by most christians and encouraged him not to relent in serving God even while he is retired from active service.
In his short remarks, the Pastor in charge of the ECWA Goodnews Church GRA, Gombe, Reverend Jim Amos, acknowledged the role of Justice Paul Idi Apollos humbly service in different facets of the Church which includes, choir, ushering, men fellowship as well as the Gideon International.
Amos commended the Justice for organising himself not to have abandoned the work of God despite his nature of work schedules, calling on fellow Christians to emulate him, saying that it attracts God’s blessings in ones life.
The Gombe West District Churches Council ( DCC) Chairman, Rev. Dr. Michael Kwari Ma’ori, who delivered the sermon at the occasion spoke on the topic, ” Finishing Strong” and drew his text from second Timothy Chapter Four Verses Seven to Eight.
He said it is not enough for one to only start well, but to ensure that he ends well, as well.
He added that thanksgiving is a very good component of worship as those who do so, acknowledges God’s position and provision in their lives, also pointing out that those who fail to do so are those who think it is the responsibility of God to provide for them.
The Clergyman admonishes people to note that, any addition of years on earth means substraction of same in heavenly calculations, such that when the substraction is done one returns to God and faces accountability.
He stressed the need for people to continue to occupy in the vineyard of God in preparation of their eternity.
Quoting paul who urged his members to imitate him, the Clergyman asked ” will you be able to tell your audience to imitate you”
In his vote of thanks, Justice Paul Idi Apollos said he has to organize the Thanksgiving service in appreciation of what God has done in his life, especially for seeing him through all these years of service.
He appreciated all those who identifies with them during the Thanksgiving service, recalling some of his past school mates and career associates at different levels of his educational pursuits service, Justice Apollos remarked of their good memories of being together while at those fora.
He also solicited for donations in respect of Gideons International, for printing Bibles in his Honour for distribution in Hospitals, Hotels and other public places with a view to win souls.
Other featured programmes were songs of praises by various Church groups and the ECWA, Children Week of Prayers which was rounded up today with drama playlet and Holy Bible memory verses.
Jack Tasha
Senior Special Assistant (SSA)Media and Publicity to the Governor,
(Deputy Governor’s Office).
