30/08/2026
*OPENING ADDRESS DELIVERED BY APOSTLE DR NGOZIKA GLADYS JOHNSON-OGBUNEKE - FOUNDER & CEO, THE SANCTUARY CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES (SCM) & THE SHOGNA FOUNDATION INT'L AT THE GRAND CLOSING, AWARDS & THANKSGIVING OF THE 15TH ANNUAL GLOBAL CONVENTION BEING HELD TODAY AUGUST 28, 2026 AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, OGURUBE LAYOUT, UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE*
_*Theme: “Feed My Lambs & Tend My Sheep” - John 21:15-16*_
Your Excellency, Distinguished Dignitaries, Royal Fathers, Clergy, Partners in Progress, and the Unconquerable People of Abia,
Ndi Abia, Ndewo Nu!
With profound reverence and resolve, I acknowledge our Father Grandeur of the Day, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, Executive Governor of Abia State; My Spiritual Father, His Eminence Bishop Sunday Onuoha - our Officiating Minister; Hon. Barr. Favour C. Nzeanochie- a British Nigerian Lawyer, based in the UK; Lady Nikky Emelike- of Neasden College, London UK; the worthy SHOGNA Foundation Associates, and every patriot under our covenant motto: *”Service to God, Building up Humanity.”*
This Closing Ceremony, Awards and Thanksgiving is not just an event on our calendar. It is a sacred altar of gratitude to deeply honour and adore the LORD God. For nearly three transformative weeks, beginning August 12th with the explosive declaration of *”Let There Be Light Crusades 2026 - New Isuikwuato, New Abia State,”*
and Heaven opened over Abia.
We gathered not as spectators, but as witnesses to divine visitation - a season where lives were rescued, destinies were awakened, and the Light of Christ began to drive out decades of darkness from our Land. We stand here today because God showed up, and Abia will never be the same.
Then came the beating heart of our Mission: the one-week *"Feed My Lambs & Tend My Sheep Project."* This was Ministry in motion and in action, sharing the compassionate Heart of Christ.
Across communities, we fed the hungry, clothed the naked, prayed for the broken, and restored dignity to the forgotten. Through every outreach, every crusade night, and every act of service, the LORD God Elohim, our El-Roi Jehovah - the God who sees, was with us every step of the way. He sustained every hand that served, anointed every word that was preached, and drew multitudes into the full knowledge of Jesus Christ. To Him alone belongs all the glory, all the honour, and all the praise.
I thus stand, with a heart saturated in thanksgiving for the New Abia State we now breathe in. My gratitude also, reaches every political man and woman who in 2023 shattered the silence and confronted the old status quo. You rejected decay as destiny. You refused to trade Abia’s future for comfort. Because you spoke with Fire, Abia is now rising with Light. "Iheoma gi di ukwu" - your honour is weighty, and history will record your names.
This revival belongs to you all, and Abia will never forget.
*The Prophetic Standard of 2023: “Abia, The Next London”*
In that defining campaign, I planted one unshakable banner: *“Abia State Must Be Built Up, To Be the Next London."*
It was neither poetry nor rhetoric. It was policy in waiting. It demanded a Governor with iron conviction, strategic vision, and a sacred covenant with the citizen. It demanded infrastructure without fraud, institutions without fear, and leadership that would return dignity to the common man. That was the standard. It was non-negotiable. Today, that standard is no longer a slogan on a billboard. It is becoming the blueprint of governance.
*From Vision to Verifiable Reality*
Your Excellency, permit me to declare: we have crossed from promise to proof. The New Abia State is now tactile - in motorable roads, in disciplined fiscal management, in revived cities, and in a government that answers to the people. Under your watch, democracy has left the glass house and walked into our markets, schools, and hospitals. The narrative has been rewritten. For that seismic shift, Abia owes you honour. And so, on behalf of millions, I say it again: Congratulations, H.E. Dr. Alex Otti. You have given Abia her confidence back.
*The Architecture of Renewal: Structure, Skill, and Service*
What Abia is witnessing is more than cement and pavement. It is the architecture of renewal. We see structural transformation: cities being re-ordered, waste being cleared, and pride being restored. We see professional excellence: competence replacing connection, and merit beginning to outrank money. When a state is rebuilt with discipline, hope becomes an industry. Today, Abia is not just repairing; Abia is re-imagining. And a re-imagined Abia will never return to Egypt.
*The Rock of Faith in Leadership - Matthew 7:24-25*
“Whoever hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The storms came, but it did not fall, for its foundation was on the rock.”
Your Excellency, Abia is standing because you chose to govern on the rock - the Fear of the LORD. You came as a simple man, embraced service over status, and placed the people above self. That is uncommon. That is consecrated.
Power is the furnace of character. It exposes what prayer concealed. In this furnace, your foundation is proving solid.
So permit me to lift an altar of thanksgiving to the parents of our Governor.
For the discipline they instilled, for the faith they modelled, Abia is now eating the fruit.
*Abia’s New Benchmark: The Otti Yardstick*
Scripture is settled: “When the righteous govern, the people rejoice.” Proverbs 29:2.
Your Excellency, you are now Abia’s benchmark. Let every future aspirant be screened by this yardstick: Do they revere God? Do they respect the people? Do they deliver results?
Therefore, I charge Ndi Abia: protect this standard with your votes, your voice, and your vigilance. And I charge this government: do not coast. Accelerate. Make Abia Nigeria’s case study in subnational transformation - the state that works, the state that delivers, the state that inspires.
*Historical Developments of the SHOGNA Foundation*
This Foundation dates far back as Year 2009, when as a Junior Resident Medical Doctor in the UK, I would each month divide my monthly salary into three, send one-third home to help in the payment of tuition for students, in supporting my local communities in Isuikwuato with some of their projects like building up the Market stalls for women, and buying palm oil processing equipment.
Then in August 2014, the LORD, my LORD God Elohim directed me to be returning Home in August to mix my sharing the Community Companionate Care with sharing the Word of Life Teachings. That was when the _*"Feed My Lambs & Tend My Sheep Projects"*- John21v15-16 Mission_ formally began. I got divinely connected with the late Prof Mrs Joan Nma Anyaike and in August 2015, I presented a Teaching at the Eluama Women’s August Meeting, making gift donations to them, and financially supporting them to complete the Health Centre that they needed roofing and structural renovations done.
My husband, Dr John C Ogbuneke, is from Umuokogbue and in my desire to specially engage with the local community, I got connected with Minister Friday Agu and his supportive wife, Hon Mrs Joyce Agu. From then, *"the Sanctuary Hand of Grace (SHOG),* as it was known then would annually hold Crusades in the Local Communities of Isuikwuato and also share the compassionate Heart of Christ to them.
Come COVID-19 period, I could not come down so Minister Friday Agu and his wife, helped to organise both the Word of Life Teachings and the community care supports to the local communities.
By the time, I returned to obey that divine mandate to run as the Gubernatorial candidate for Abia State, and the people called me out as “Ngozi Abia” I had to naturally update the name of the Foundation to become as _the *"Sanctuary Hand of Grace Ngozi Abia (SHOGNA) Foundation Int’l."*_
In the United Kingdom, we also have similar activities but held in the Summer months, between May and June as summer fayres, under - the *"SHOGNA CIC UK."*
The SHOGNA Foundation sees the severe social burdens and needs of the people of Abia State, of the citizens of Nigeria.
From year 2022, rather than offering full scholarships to students and pupils, I felt to spread the community care educational funds to give 50% partial scholarships to pupils and students, involving undergraduates through communities in Abia State, as we hold the _*"Back to School Programmes"*_ giving out school bags, exercise books and the partial scholarships to children and youths. The SHOGNA Foundation spread thin to reach the three senatorial zones of Abia State, opening her offices at Aba, Umuahia and Ovim-Isuikwuato.
The members, volunteers and associates of the SHOGNA Foundation nominated children, and students to receive; with the joy of being receipients of our partial scholarships and back to school supports, the grades of many students improved - as attached to continuity to receive is an encouragement on the child or student to study and pass his or her exams. We receive regular school reports.
It is thus a great joy in my heart, and with deep appreciation to see much of the infrastructural development and digital transformation of many Schools in Abia State. These progress and increased investments in the education and learning environments of our children and students in Abia State, with the government of H.E. Dr Alex Otti, remains the joys of every forward thinking Society. It is also our great joy at the SHOGNA Foundation Global Initiatives. Thank you, Sir.
Education is indeed power and by improving their learning environments, their skills and opportunities become upgraded simultaneously.
I could not have done nor achieved that mandate of the LORD to go back home to _*"Feed the Lambs & Tend the Sheep"*_ without the diligence, supports and works of the Members, Ministers of Faith, Volunteers and Associates of the Foundation. I salute them all, even with a clap offering.
Today, I wish to also honour them and their commitments by giving them _the SHOGNA Foundation Awards of Diligence._ I thank you all.
*As Living Stones, Built Upon the Chief Cornerstone- JESUS CHRIST.*
*”Coming to Him as a Living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as Living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”*
We are created in the image of God, male and female, *Genesis1v27;*
God created us in His image to live our lives with our purposes in line with His will.
When we are in sync with this divine order, one cannot walk outside the will of God, but even through adversities we, trusting in Him we will have ALL things working out for us according to His purposes for us, designed and predestined from the foundation of the world. That is Destiny.
To therefore succeed, we need to know and understand His will. That is, by reading, studying, understanding and meditating upon His Word as in the Scriptures.
Between Year 2009 and 2024, the Sanctuary Christian Ministries, SCM and the SHOGNA Foundation, has given away one thousand, one hundred and twenty Holy Bibles to people in Nigeria. *It is our passion to make the “manuscript of life,” the Scriptures readily available to all people and we plan to give out millions of Holy Bible to ordinary people- as the LORD leads us to do.*
When we walk in line with His Word, one cannot go wrong or be misled. This I know because the Word is the “Living Stone” who guides and teaches us.
However, if one is to receive a carved plaque for an Award, it simply sits as a “dead stone” and collects dust. We choose therefore to bring the Life of Christ to every one as we continue in that Mission to distribute the Holy Bible to many.
*Please make time and read it. In it lies ALL that your heart seeks and desires as in line with God’s perfect will for you.*
*My Root, My Resolve, My Foundation & My Rising*
*1 Corinthians 3:11; Judges 5:7*_
My life is anchored on one Foundation: “For no one can lay any foundation other than Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11.
That Foundation was poured into me by my grandfather, the venerable Methodist Catechist, Mazi Johnson Ogbonna Ihemennadu of Ovim, Isuikwuato.
Comfort in the United Kingdom could not anaesthetise my conscience. Thirty-one years after statehood, Abia had no capital that could host her pride. That broke me.
So I arose. “Until I, Deborah - Ngozika, NgoziAbia, Adanne Abia - arose; a Mother in Israel.” Judges 5:7.
In 2023, under the Social Democratic Party SDP, I obeyed the mandate to “tend and keep our Garden of Eden.” Genesis 2:15. I was the first ordained Minister to declare. I was mocked. I was maligned. Yet on radio waves, television screens, and town halls, I spoke under divine mandate: *”Abia Must Become the Next London."*
And I thank God for the grace to stand, and to still be standing. I thank God that, that cry from the heart of a Daughter of Abia, ADANNE-Abia, has been heard by the LORD.
*The Victory That Belongs to Us All*
Although I did not sit on the Governor’s seat. But I decree today: We won!
Ndi Abia won!
Our children won a future! They won their Future back!
With you, Your Excellency, we broke that cycle and changed the trajectory of governance. Today, we celebrate a leader who carries the Fear of God into the corridors of power. That is rare. That is revolutionary. Receive our applause, Sir.
The people are not just watching - they are believing again.
*A Legislative Safeguard for the Future: Protect Abia’s Progress*
Your Excellency, nations are not built by projects alone, but by permanence. Government is a continuum. Abia cannot afford a reset button at every election cycle.
I appeal with urgency and reverence: Champion a _*"Continuity and Completion Law"*_ for Abia State. Make it binding that no incoming administration will abandon viable, people-centred projects. Let it be law that Abia’s treasury must serve Abia’s tomorrow.
Seal this legacy in statute. Protect these roads, hospitals, schools, and digital systems. Do this, and your name will be engraved not only on stone, but also in the prosperity of generations- even as a Living stone.
*Encouragement in the Journey of February 2026*
Leadership is weighty, and the crown is often heavy. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, it is often said.
In February 2026, I, together with my brother, _*H.E. Dr. Uche Samson Ogah,*_ former Minister of Mines & Steel, crossed party lines. We came to you - not as rivals, but as stakeholders; to honour your work and to strengthen your hands.
Sir, we see the arrows. We see the audit of every move. But we also see the results. "Nọgidesie ike' - persevere, finish strong, finish well, and finish right. Abia is behind you, and history is ahead of you.
*A Charge to Ndi Abia: Be Faithful Builders*
My charge to every Abian is clear: Be faithful to your Faith. Be faithful to the Fatherland. Let us match government’s momentum with citizens responsibility. Let us defend excellence, celebrate integrity, refute falsehoods, and reject sabotage in every form.
Development is a covenant between the led and the leader. If we all, together build, Abia will rise at a speed that will silence skeptics and startle the nation.
*Honour to a Fellow Patriot: H.E. Bishop Sunday Onuoha*
I must honour a man of depth and dignity. H.E. Bishop Sunday Onuoha also ran in 2023 because Abia mattered to him. Today, he honours this house by officiating our Closing Ceremony.
Your Grace, thank you for choosing Abia over ambition, and purpose over politics. Your presence is a sermon. We are grateful.
*Strength in Sorrow, Grace to Press On*
Finally, I ascribe all glory to God Elohim. In December 2024, I buried my firstborn son. My dearest ObiChukwunnaya. The grief was a storm. Yet the LORD became My Shelter, My Sanctuary. “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.”
If God can lift me from that valley, He can lift Abia from every valley. So to every Abian carrying pain: Arise. Your State needs your talent, your tenacity, and your testimony. Build, even with tears in your eyes. The LORD Himself will wipe your tears and restore your Peace, even as He has done for me.
*To The SHOGNA Family and Beyond*
To every Member, Minister of Faith, Volunteer, and Associate of The SHOGNA Foundation: Thank you. You are the hands that serve, the feet that go, the voices who join me to speak, and the hearts that give.
I pray that the LORD, My LORD God Elohim will enlarge you, establish you, Preserve and keep you in His Presence. May we return next year with greater impact, greater testimonies, and greater glory to His name. Amen.
Your Excellency, the people have entrusted you with a mandate. History has entrusted you with a moment. Heaven has entrusted you with a Foundation - Abia State.
Do not let this moment slip. Sign the Abia Completion & Continuity Law. Finish what you started. Make Abia irreversible. Make Abia undeniable.
To EVERYONE of us, Congratulations, and Happy Celebrations of the 15th Annual Global Convention of the Sanctuary Christian Ministries, SCM and the SHOGNA Foundation Global Initiatives.
May God bless Abia State. May God bless you, Sir.
May God bless and increase us all and our Families; May He cause His Light to continue to shine upon us all and Favour us; May He continue to preserve every one of us and ours, today and always in Yeshua’s mighty name. Amen.
Once more:
*C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!!!*
