Former Senate President, Senator David Mark has opted for a solemn 68th birthday celebration in honour of his constituents from Agatu LGA of Benue State who have become Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in their own land.
DAILY POST reports that Mark, who used the event to forgive everyone who offended him all through his journey of life particularly during the last Senatorial rerun election, said that those who feel pained about his existence and success story should allow him to exist.
Speaking at a solemn thanksgiving mass held at his Otukpo mansion on Friday morning, the Senator said he could have celebrated his birthday with fun fare in Abuja, where notable dignitaries would attend, but he settled for his birthplace of Otukpo to thank God for his life and also visit the Agatu IDPs, where the celebration would hold.
“Each time I think about the Agatu crisis and how people have become IDPs in their own land, I feel pained. For this reason I wouldn’t celebrate this year’s birthday as expected. We would rather use the opportunity to visit the IDPs camps in Ugbokpo and Aila Agatu”, he said.
The Senator promised to devote the rest of his life to the services of God and the less privileged in the society, even as he advocated a society where people could move freely and harmoniously go about their businesses.
On the Panama leaks, he pointed out that he had already responded yesterday to the reports in some media, adding that, “as usual, people must give dog a bad name in the quest to hang it.”
Earlier in his Sermon, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Onmoke of the COE Parish, Oju, enjoined the celebrant to always seek the face of God in the morning, afternoon and night for proper direction in life.
While thanking God for the quality leadership and selfless lifestyle of the Senator which has helped stabilised the Nigerian polity; the Clergy also charged the birthday ‘boy’ not to be deterred by those who would do everything possible to pull him down but should rather forgive and pray for them.
He described the veteran lawmaker as a Prophet who is despised at home but honoured abroad.
The thanksgiving service was attended by the wife of Senator Mark, Chief Mrs. Helen Onma Mark; Comrade Abba Moro; Members of the National and State Assembly; Former NTA Chairman, Chief Patrick Ogbu; the CAN Chairman, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Odufu; Rev. Fr. Capt. Kenneth Odeh (Rtd); members of his immediate family and friends.
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