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Tag: Bishop

  • Reflections on Bishop without a cathedral

    Power comes from God, and it is the prerogative of God as the founder of this universe to bestow power on whom it pleases Him. In his concise letter to the Romans, Apostle Paul made it clear that before a God, the race is not about he that runneth or willeth, but of God that showeth mercy. You may dare to call Him a partial God but in His wisdom, he had warned that he will only show mercy to whom he will show mercy and will curse whom he will curse.

    In the race for the governorship seat of Abia state, there are two major contenders although some sections of the media, to entertain their audience, increased the number as it suits them. The race in reality is between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, while on ballot, there will be other candidates who space will not allow me mention today. But I intend to do so after the election.

    While the PDP after its primaries produced as its standard bearer Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu popularly known as Okezuo Abia (equity), APGA and its followers are still torn in litigations over who the party candidate is between one Alex Otti who is currently holding the ticket and another claimant Reagan Ufomba who is laying claim to the same ticket. As things stand today, Okezie Ikpeazu remains the man to beat as well as toast of many. Given the manner the news of his entrance and subsequent emergence spread like wild bush fire, many were forced to ask the pertinent question, who is Okezie Ikpeazu? Born Of strong religious parentage in Obingwa Local Government Area of present-day Abia State Okezie Ikpeazu is a living of example of whom God has blessed, no man can curse. Venturing into the uncertain world of politics with a doctorate degree acquired at a relatively young age, and in an era when societal values sieved diligence, hard-work and determination out of norm, thus leaving much to be desired in the polity, those who have known him will attest to one fact, and that is his impeccable dose of humility in spite of his educational attainment.

    A close observation reveals that he is a man not moved by his rare achievements in the academic world. He was always driven by the urge to serve. And curiously, he has only remained within verandahs of power even though he was eminently qualified to at least be within the living room. Unlike most politicians who always feel that lucrative portfolios are the measurement of ones political clout and rating, Ikpeazu would rather grab at the difficult task and walk on tough terrains where total commitment and even personal sacrifice were put to remain afloat and achieve desired results thus always standing him out.

    This was why he was able to make his mark as the General Manager of the State Integrated Passenger Manifest Scheme which ensured that Commuters and passengers who travel with the State-owned transport company were insured against any eventuality. After his stint at ASPIMS, Ikpeazu’s next port of call was the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency ASEPA where he had the tough challenge of maintaining the environmental orderliness in Aba the commercial hub of the state. While Ikpeazu stood under the sun to ensure a healthy environment and by implication a beter life for the masses, Otti coiled in the cocoon of his luxury vocation. A lifestyle he will always be used to. I cannot hide my amusement when people try to draw a comparison between Ikpeazu and Otti in terms of attracting electoral fortunes. What are the basis is what I always ask?

    Any attempt to compare Ikpeazu with his main challenger will reveal a movement on two parallel platform. It goes to show and clearly too that this man who has always been with the people will naturally carry the day. That was why it was easy to tell people who Ikpeazu is. It is rather unfortunate that in Abia today, the only profile of Alex Otti known to the common man is that he is a rich man. That further takes us to another dimension of critical analysis of his personal affluence and quite expectedly, the question that flows will be who are the benefIciaries of Otti large treasury before now?

    After building his palatial home while serving as Executive Director of First Bank, Mazi Otti in show of his affluence and proof of outright disconnect from his people build a helipad for his helicopter which takes him home from the airport. When the allure of political enterprise got a better part of him, what did he do? He quickly ran to Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South also not found within the favored senatorial zone for the 2015 governorship race and within a short time allegedly erected another massive edifice in an alleged bid to attempt buying a birth right and ancestry of the Ngwa land. At an informal gathering recently, a renowned builder who happened to come from same local government as Otti put the entire worth of both houses at nothing less than three billion naira. This is what one man has spent for his personal luxury in the midst of poverty in the land.

    Today, one prominent feature of his campaign is financial profile and pecuniary inducement. He is ready to spend more, yet he never graded even the road to his house. No single person enjoyed the scholarship of our friend. But one thing that has eluded their permutation is their infantile or pedestrian knowledge of Abia political terrain. Abians are no fools. Their eyes are wide open and their political heritage or patrimony is of much value to them than anything else. They don’t want an arrogant leader who will feel he did them a favour by being their governor. They don’t wish for a visiting governor who will be chasing his vast business interests at the expense of the state and good governance.

    This is why it has been difficult for the people to accept Otti. Whereas  Ikpeazu is enjoying a cult- hero followership. They know who has been with them. They know who will occupy the government house and the gates will be open to all and his ears will pay attention to their needs. They know who will look them in their faces and guess that things be not be well and ask what the problem is. That is the Ikpeazu edge and no matter what any person say, his acceptance will reflect into victory at the polls.

    Rather than accept the fact, Otti and his political captors are masturbating in blame game. Again, there is a saying in Igbo parlance that onye nwere mmadu ka onye nwere ego and his Aro kinsmen concluded it with this wise saying “okpogho iche, mmadu iche; mkpuola iche, nwa Aro iche”, meaning that the real value is in the people not your wealth. It is then an instructive fact and mortal lesson to others, and obviously not a surprise that despite his financial war chest he has remained a pitiable lone ranger akin to a bishop without any cathedral daily spending to attract followers.

     

    • Emereuwa writes from Umuahia.

  • Bishop, Gumi caution against ethno-religious politics

    Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Kaduna diocese and revered Islamic scholar, Sheihk Ahmad Gumi have appealed to Nigerian youths, particularly those of them resident in Northern Nigeria to stay away from fomenting crisis before, during and after the 2015 general elections, saying that everything must be done to avoid the magnitude of deathS recorded in the 2011 post election violence, in the next election.

    The Islamic scholar lamented that, “out of a total of 943 death recorded across the country, Kaduna alone recorded 827 deaths. Also, all the property that was lost was put at N40.6 billion across the country, and Kaduna alone lost N23.3 billion.”

    They therefore, called on politicians to also avoid playing politics of religion and ethnicity, stating that politics should be based on the ability to provide good governance of the individual contesting, and not necessarily based on his religion or ethnicity.

    Bishop Fearon and Sheik Gumi spoke in Kaduna yesterday at the flag off of a community peace club organized by Arewa Citizens Action for Change (ACAC), a nongovernmental organization, desirous to propagate a violence-free election at the next polls.

    In his remarks, Bishop Idowu-Fearon who was a member of the presidential committee that investigated the 2011 post election violence in affected states across the country noted that out of the total record of  943 persons that were killed in the violence, Kaduna alone took the lion share of 827 lives that were lost to the crisis.

    He said the figure was so scary that no state should allow such crisis to repeat itself in the forthcoming general elections.

     On his part, Sheikh Gumi who recently floated an election monitoring NGO averred that the animosity being witnessed between the Christians and Muslims is carried out by those who do not understand their religion, just as he stressed that ignorance is what brings about terrorism.

    On the essence of the peace club, the ACAC State Coordinator, Yayaha Muhammad Sharif said, “The programme is to spur the full strength of national unity towards eradication of any form of ethno-religious violence, brainstorm on Nigerians’ contributions towards possible elimination of any form of politically motivated violence under the disguise of religious agitations and to continue preaching on one united Nigeria without any racial or religious discrimination, but respect and harmony.

    “We are calling on the Nigerian youth not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs, and we are also appealing to the electoral body (INEC) that they should use all the available machineries within their power to orgainse and conduct the very best, most credible and violence-free election in Nigerian political history.”

    Speaking further, Bishop Fearon said: “I want to tell you, in case you don’t know, I served on the presidential committee that investigated 2011 post election violence in the affected State across the country. I want to tell you that of all the states that were affected, Kaduna was more affected, Kaduna recorded the loss of more lives and property.

    “We recorded a total of 943 dead across the country, and Kaduna alone recorded 827 dead, and there is no way these lives can be brought back. They could have contributed to the development of Kaduna. All the property that was lost was put at N40.6 billion across the country, and Kaduna alone lost N23.3 billion. So Kaduna lost more, both in lives and property. Most of these businesses are still there, but you cannot start them, because the money is not there.

    “We must therefore work hard to ensure that this crisis does not repeat itself in 2015 election; we must not allow the politicians to use us to kill human beings and destroy property.

    “So my advice is that we are created by one God whether you are a Muslim or Christian, Hausa or Nupe, Igala or Gwari. God wants us to live together and develop Kaduna State and the country in general. God wants us to work together so tell the politicians not to divide us. You have your religion, I have my religion.

     “You cannot force a Christian to become a Muslim; you cannot force a Muslim to become a Christian.

    “We need to tell ourselves that we do not need a Muslim or Christian President or governor. What we need is a President who fears God whether he is a Muslim or a Christian. In Kaduna State, we don’t need a Muslim or Christian governor, but we need a governor who fears God because we are created by one God.

    “The Bible and Quran are clear about what is expected of our leaders, they must be just, honest and accountable to the people and seek advice from the people, so let us use our Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) to elect credible leaders. Your PVCs is your power, use it wisely, and vote according to your conscience.

    “If you vote for corrupt person, a person who is not honest and just, God will ask you questions. So vote for credible leaders, and by the special grace of God, there will be no crisis in 2015 elections,” he said.‎

  • Bishop promises ‘stomach infrastructure’

    The governorship candidate of the Accord Party(AP) in Akwa Ibom State, Bishop Samuel Akpan, has promised to end the biting hunger prevailing among the majority of the Akwa Ibom people, if elected governor.

    Speaking on what people should expect from him, Akpan said his government will implement ‘stomach infrastructure’ and fight unemployment by going straight into industrialisation.

    He lamented that many in Akwa Ibom people were still suffering from abject poverty with most of them going about in hunger.

    This, to him, is a misnomer as the wealth of the state is concentrated only in the hands of a handful of people in government or those having access to them.

    The Accord Party’s candidate promised to distribute the wealth of the state through policies in such a way that will benefit the masses as against what is presently obtained.

    As part of his industrialisation programme, the Accord Party’s governorship candidate said his administration will build modular refineries at different locations in the state and open- up participation in the oil and gas industry so that indigenes of the state can take part and benefit from this God given blessings.

    He said the other angle to his industrialisation programme will be more agric- based.

    Asked to expatiate on the ‘stomach infrastructure’ and the pattern it will take, the Bishop said that remains the secret of his administration when voted into office but assured  it will contain the biting hunger prevalent among the majority in the state

  • Anglican Bishop condemns corruption

    The Anglican Bishop of Enugu North Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sosthenes Eze has urged Nigerian leaders to shun corruption.

    He stressed the need for leaders to stop diverting Nigeria’s resources into their private pockets.

    This he stated at the second session of the second synod of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu North with the theme “The challenges of living in a corrupt generation” which took place at the Cathedral Church of St. Mary Ngwo Enugu North.

    Bishop Eze averred that corruption was a colossal problem, urging religious leaders to sit up and stand firm for the truth.

    The cleric further stated that in this synod the church preaches against corruption. “The church must preach against corruption and at the same time avoid being corrupt too. The church should also desist from honouring corrupt people and also refuse their gifts.

    The cleric stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in order to transform our nation, adding that God cannot come down to do it by himself.

    His words “corruption is a colossal problem and the church is preaching against it because the people in government also attend church. We need to sacrifice so as to transform our nation; God cannot come down to do it by himself. We must shun corruption at all levels, it has prevailed and nobody is asking about infrastructures, economy etc. It is redeemable if we are collectively willing. We cannot keep blaming the government”.

    He further urged the people to disseminate the news that corruption is bad and has devastating effects on our society. He went further to call on the EFCC and other bodies that deal with corruption to perform their duties to the later without fear or favour.

    Also speaking at the synod, the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese and Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma kicked against the zoning of the governorship position by the Enugu state Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

    The Cleric further stated that no person or group of people can sit somewhere and restrict another person from contesting an election under the guise of zoning, stating that a political party should give all aspirants equal opportunity and conduct a transparent primaries, even as he added that only the citizens of the state can elect who they deem fit.

    “The governorship position is left for the people of Enugu State to decide and not zoning. Let the parties give level playing ground and transparent primaries to all its aspirants whoever wins, we vote for him. Politics should be open, people’s mandate should be respected. No preference to a certain zone”.

    The cleric insisted that the decision taken by the ruling party was not a step in the right direction, advising that the governorship race should be thrown open so that everybody would have an opportunity to contest.

    The synod was attended by numerous dignitaries including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Anthony Ani.

  • Bishop to Suswam: pay August, Sept. salary

    Bishop to Suswam: pay August, Sept. salary

    •Nigeria has financial challenges, says governor

    The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Most Rev. Williams Avenya, has urged Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam to pay the August and September salary of workers.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the bishop urged Suswam to update salary payment before his tenure expires.

    He spoke yesterday at a thanksgiving ceremony organised by the Vandeikya Traditional Council in Tse Mker, Vandeikya Local Government Area, in honour of the governor.

    The bishop, who was represented by Rev. Fr. Stephen Iortyer, said: “It is on record that your administration has improved the welfare of workers, especially primary school teachers. Please update salary payment before your tenure ends next year.

    “You have carried out a lot of infrastructural projects. Some have been completed while a few are ongoing. Please ensure that all your projects are completed in record time.”

    He urged the governor to fix the Ihugh-Tse Mker road.

    The bishop urged politicians to teach the younger generation “positive politicking” to facilitate development.

    Suswam said the nation was facing financial challenges and Benue was not an exception.

    He said he was hopeful that the discussion between the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the review of workers’ salary would end on a positive note.

    The governor pledged to complete the rural electrification project in the area and fix the Ihugh-Tse Mker road before his tenure expires.

  • Funeral for bishop October 7

    The Catholic Church in Anambra State has fixed October 7 for the funeral of its former Bishop of Awka, Simon Okafor, who died on August 29. He was 80.

    The church has declared a month of prayers in honour of the late cleric, who was in charge of Awka Diocese from 1994 to 2009.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Awka, the state capital, at the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor said the prayer session had been fixed because the late cleric always told them to continue praying for him.

    The funeral would be presided over by Francis Cardinal Arinze with over 10 other bishops around him, according to Ezeokafor.

    The late Okafor, who battled diabetics and malaria for a long time, hailed from Ifite Dunu in Njikoka Local Government Area.

    Ezeokafor said: “We believe his good works will follow him and we know that God will grant him eternal rest. We will not stop praying for him as he wished, even on his sick bed.”

    Okafor, the cleric said, finished his launch on that fateful day and was in steady.

    But he suddenly fell into a coma, Ezeokafor said.

    According to him, the bishop died when he was being rushed to the hospital in Awka.

    “He carried his cross, like Jesus Christ did. He really suffered like Christ. We will continue to pray for him,” Ezeokafor said.

  • Anglican synod warns against politics of bitterness

    Anglican synod warns against politics of bitterness

    Leaders from within and outside the Evo Diocese of the Anglican Communion in Rivers State converged at its second synod to assess the performance of the church, the state and the country. Precious Dikewoha, who was at the synod, writes. 

    Although the second synod convention of the Anglican Communion, Evo Diocese of Rivers State  ended last weekend, the memory of the ceremony still lingers in the minds of delegates. The programme, which attracted delegates from all the branches of the church under Evo Diocese, was an opportunity for the church to assess its performance and that of the state and the nation at large.

    Thousands of delegates and church members were at the St Andrew’s Anglican Church Rumuobiokani Deanery in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.  The synod in the Anglican Communion’s calendar is the time of spiritual rebirth, account of stewardship and a period to examine ones’ relationship with God.

    The Synod lasted five days and attracted people from all walks of life and speakers from different professional and religious backgrounds.

    They include Bishop of Sokoto dioceses, Rev. Dr. Mathew Hassan  Kukah, Anglican Bishop of Okene Diocese Prof. Emmanuel Ajulo, Mrs. Ijeoma Anagbogu, Governor Rotimi Amaechi and others.

    The Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev Innocent Uchechukwu Ordu, led a courtesy call to His Royal Highness Eze Samuel Nyechi Ejims Wopara, the Paramount Ruler and Nyenweli Rumuobiokani community and presented a copy of the Holy Bible to the monarch. He also used the opportunity to inform him and his subjects to use the occasion of the synod convention to refresh in the Lord and to bring peace to the community.

    The Monarch, while responding to the Bishop, went back memory lane to 1904 when the Anglican Church blazed the trail as the first church ever to set foot on Rumuobiokani soil. He appealed that the church should not adopt an onlooker attitude when the community and the nation are embroiled in unrest and disunity.

    Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communication Mrs Ibim Semenitari, advised the church to pray for him and the state, as he hoped on God to ensure that the wealth of Rivers people is in  safe hands, adding that criminal who have murdered the people are desperate over Rivers wealth.

    He said as the leader of the Rivers people, “I owe you a duty to clarify on why I joined APC.  Let me say that repeatedly we have heard people wonder why we moved to APC, I know we are in the church but it is important to know that we took the decision to protect the future of Rivers people. At the top of everything I have to do, I must ensure the development of the state. But I promise my enemies, I will finish strong   and I cannot allow the resources of Rivers state to be squandered.  As the governor of Rivers State I owe you greatly to  ensure that any  decision I take will be for the best interest of Rivers State and  I cannot sell my feelings for a mere porridge.”

    Explaining the importance of synod in Anglican communion, Rt. Rev, Innocent Uchechukwu Ordu, said, “Synod is the gathering of the Church leaders, which include the church laities and the Bishops. It is an opportunity where anybody who holds a position in the church will give a written report of his or her stewardship which others arr expected to assess to ensure a balance report. It is also the time of fund raising for the execution of church project.  There is enough spiritual benefit for those who concluded the programme because it will challenge their spirit and their dealings with God as they continue to work in the vineyard of God.

    Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah and the  Bishop Ordu strongly emphasised on national issues, such as 2015 and the abduction of Chibok girls. In  their various speeches, they warmed politicians to be mindful of what they say about the country, adding that the issue of who becomes the next President of Nigeria in 2015 is in the hands of God and cannot  be manipulated against God’s will.

    Kukah said  the utterances of some politicians and religions leaders in the country are  diminishing others whose life are in danger, especially on the issue of Boko Haram.

    “The way we talk about issues affecting Nigeria is making everything to look as if we are at war with one another, we must mind what we say about the President and the country. Other African countries are not happy with us, other developed countries are not happy with us but we are not the worst country. As far as I am concerned the ultimate is the peace of the country,  some people said  the President is weak, that he is sponsoring impeachment against his enemies and that he is encouraging BoKo Haram all these are  dangerous to our democracy.”

    During the reading of 108 page address by Bishop Ordu, which the church called Presidential address, the Bishop made it clear that  politicians must learn how to stop politics of desperation and bitterness.

    “Another round of election is here again. The political landscape is agog as usual. However, happenings in the polity give us cause for concern. The desperation by politicians either to capture power or to cling on to it has become all too alarming. The unbridled quest for power has led our political leaders to heat up the polity unnecessarily through their utterances and actions. Those already in political office and seeking re-election have abandoned matters of governance for which we gave them our priceless votes to spend more time on politicking, meetings, rented rallies and gatherings.

    “They have been seriously distracted, while our land bleeds. Our politicians and leaders through their utterances and carriage have reduced politics and leaders bordering on some measure of pettiness and childishness. Cases of political killings, kidnappings, arson, destruction of public property and waste of financial resource to garner political support, litter the landscape. And we are not even in 2015 yet! The signs are quite familiar and ominous, to say the least. And with the way our leaders are going, one wonders whether we have a sense of history at all. These are the same signs that have in the past truncated our various political journeys as a country. Have we forgotten the 1983 national elections where “landslide” victories at the polls for political parties turned to a hurricane that swept everybody out of office and set us back several decades?.”

    On the issue of BokoHaram, the Bishop of Evo Dioceses said recent report emanating from the United State of America in July this year has it that the Boko Haram insurgency has consumed approximately the lives of 12,000 innocent and defenceless Nigerians. “

    In assessing the performance of Rivers government under the leadership of Governor Chibuike Amaechi the church said despite the political crisis rocking the state the governor through its policies has done greatly in the area of social service delivery.

    “For one, Port Harcourt has achieved the status of UNESCO World Book Capital.  This is no mean feat and cannot be killed on the altar of political interests. With this our city and state have come to occupy a pride of place among the few cities in the world which have enjoyed this privilege. Again we commend His Excellency for his remarkable efforts at rehabilitating, widening or constructing roads in Rivers State to ease traffic flow. We are sure the incoming administration in the state will only continue from where he has stopped. However, we must draw the attention of His Excellency to the link roads in the state many of which are in very bad shape. Rivers people have continued to suffer untold hardship on these link roads daily and we call on His Excellency to use the remaining part of his tenure to look at these roads again and put them in good order to minimize the harrows of our people on these roads.”

    Highpoint of this year’s synod was to evaluate the performance of the church, thanksgiving, and fund raising through the launching of Presidential address.

  • Ukraine: The storm will be over soon—Bishop

    Ukraine: The storm will be over soon—Bishop

    The publisher of Our Daily Manna and General Overseer, Manna Mountain (Inter-denominational) Ministry, Ogudu Orioke, Lagos, Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe, has assured his followers and ODM leaders in Ukraine that the siege currently ravaging it will be over soon.

    The man of God, made this known at the monthly anointing service held at the MPM auditorium penultimate Saturday with the theme: Enough is Enough! “This nonsense must stop”, buttressing his claims in his sermon and quoting from the Bible books of Jeremiah 20 v 11 and Proverbs 23 v 18 respectively, amidst rain of prophetic revelations. However, there were a lot of testimonies and miracles recorded at the event. A man who had a swollen leg and pain was healed. Similarly, a woman who was on life-support received healing, and her daughter came to share the testimony in the presence of the huge congregation.

    Also, one Juliana Wasem, who has been battling with her left breast, was healed. Indeed, many were healed of their afflictions and the anointing service would remain indelible in their minds.

    Another prominent man of God and guest preacher, Apostle Cletus Aichimien of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ogba, Lagos commented on the life of Bishop Chris. He said, “Anybody that gives you access to his life, celebrate him”.  He urged the Bishop to remain focused.

    Dr. Chris assured his members that his God is awesome, and by March next year, he shall dedicate seven children in the church and there shall be marital thanksgiving.

  • Bishop laments idolatry among Igbo

    Bishop of Afikpo Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend Paul Udogu has decried the increasing wickedness, idolatry and lack of fear of God in Igbo land many years after the advent of Christianity.

    Udogu stressed that there is urgent and compelling need for the re-evangelisation of Igboland to escape the impending wrath of God.

    Bishop Udogu spoke in Onitsha as a visiting Bishop during the collation of Ven. Obiora Uzochukwu as a Venerable and induction as the Sub-dean of All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha. Six Canons were also collated including Revs Samuel Adoro

    Louis Ezenwata, Rufus Ezenwaka, Goddy Iloka, Ofoegbu Ozoekwe and Edison Okoroigwe.

    Bishop Udogu went down memory lane recalling when the late Bishop Ajayi Crowther led a team of Church Missionary Society (CMS) and found out that the natives were neck-deep in human sacrifice, barbaric practices, idolatry, wickedness in the form of slavery and immorality among other vices.

    He lamented that after 157 years of Christianity in Igbo land, various forms of vices are still manifesting in Igbo land, including kidnappings, assassinations, and other forms violent crimes.

    He said that the fear of God among the people is almost at the lowest ebb as kidnappers and other perpetuators of criminalities enter the church to search and attack their victims.

    The Bishop said that while these are going on, there is no serious attempt to restore core Igbo values, rather idolatory in the name of cultural revival are on the increase.

    He said if the tide must be stemmed, there is compelling need for the re-evangelisation of Igbo land by churches especially the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. He urged those who were collated to to be in the vanguard of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in the area.

    The Bishop on the Niger, Owen Nwokolo, said that the elevation of the new Sub-dean to an Archdeacon and some other priests was a call to service and more commitment to their work, especially their pastoral duties, adding that those who are committed in the vine-yard of God are given bigger responsibilities in form of promotion.

    Bishop Nwokolo equally advised the church member’s o pray for their spiritual leaders as well as listen to their counsel so as to understand the mind of God.

    The Sub-dean said that his elevation was an opportunity to serve God with all his determination so as to meet up with the high expectation of the people especially, the members of All Saints Cathedral Onitsha.

    He promised that by the grace of God, he will do his best to llift the spiritual lives of the members of the Cathedral as well as improve the physical condition of the Cathedral.

     

  • Bishop accuses Kaduna of double taxation on mission schools, hospitals

    Catholic Bishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, has accused the state government of attempting to frustrate mission schools and hospitals through double taxation and unwarranted levies.

    He spoke at the commissioning of a new medical scanning machine, Computerised Temographic Scan (TC Scan), worth N50 million donated by Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc to Saint Gerald’s hospital, Kaduna.

    Ndagoso pointed out that schools operated by the church have been harassed by government officials for the payment of heavy taxes and levies “that we don’t know where they come from.”

    The schools and hospitals operated by the church, according to him, are charitable organisations funded by missionaries from Germany, Ireland and America on humanitarian grounds to provide education and health services to Nigerians.

    The Bishop said: “I want everybody to know that we are not a private organisation as many people are thinking. Our schools are not private schools, we are not private hospitals.

    ‘’We work for the common good of our people and we are meant to serve humanity. And that is why we don’t discriminate in our services.

    “I also want everybody to know that these past few weeks, our schools have been harassed with one tax or the other by the government.

    ‘’The services are for the entire people of this state and if we are grounded, who is the loser? It is the people of this state that will be the losers.’’

    He continued: “I want to tell the government that we have a history of the provision of public services like schools, health care through hospitals to the people of this country. And we do this with the few resources that we have.

    ‘‘This hospital (Saint Gerald’s hospital) was built with the generosity and support of countries like Germany, Ireland and even of America. This is also applicable to all our schools and hospitals in the north.

    ‘’Therefore there is no reason why Kaduna state government should be imposing prohibitive taxes on us. I would like to make this appeal that if the government cannot fund us on our humanitarian services, they should please leave us alone to function.

    ‘’This harassment is enough because there is no need to stiffen our schools, hospitals and what have you.’’