By BANNERNEWS Reporter
No fewer than 14 Bishops and Archbishops of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) in Bayelsa State, aged between their 70s and 80s, have been honoured for decades of devoted service to God and the Church.
The recognition formed part of the 2026 Bishops’ Day celebration organised by the Bishops Forum, Bayelsa State, an arm of the BCS, to celebrate veteran gospel ministers and administrators in the state.
As part of the programme, Forum members visited the clerics in their homes, offering prayers, songs and assorted gifts in appreciation of their lifelong commitment to ministry.
Supervisor of the Forum in Bayelsa State, Archbishop Natus Zebakeme, said the welfare outreach was designed to appreciate the selfless sacrifices and enduring contributions of the senior Bishops to the growth of the Church.
According to him, the gesture was also meant to reassure younger clergy that faithful service and commitment would always be remembered and honoured.
Those visited included Archbishops Eriye Igina, Emperor Akpalakpa and Zifaye V. Wiliki, as well as Bishops Effort Osain, Tokebi Mac-Eperefogha, Fakidouma, Matthew Yongosi, Agada NAJ, Ziworitein B.S.W., Okimo Theodore, Rankine James, Ngoye Jachreee, E.N. Daufa and HGA Otazi Richard Moses.
Public Affairs Officer of the Forum, Archbishop Ebilate Charles, said prayers were offered during the visits while the well-being of the elderly Bishops was assessed in line with the Forum’s pastoral responsibility, adding that the initiative would be sustained as a continuous programme.
The grand Bishops’ Day celebration later held at the Bayelsa State Cathedral, Ovom, Yenagoa, attracted Bishops from across the state, neighbouring states and BCS members, creating what organisers described as an atmosphere of love, unity and spiritual fellowship.
The occasion also featured the presentation of a Compendium of Bayelsa State Bishops and a special celebration of the immediate past Bishop of Bayelsa State, Archbishop Zifaye Wiliki Votuwei, while Archbishop (Prof.) Ilami Krama, representing the Dean of the College of Bishops, Bishop Bassey Imowo, delivered a paper on the significance of the event. A total of 70 Forum members attended the ceremony.
