Canon Chukwuebuka , Others Promoted As Cleric To Jonathan: Don’t Succumb To Pressure

                                 

odogwuemekaodogwu.com reports that as the 2015 General elections in Nigeria draws closer, the Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese in Anambra State, Right Revd. Ephraim Ikeakor has enjoined President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan not to chicken out or succumb to pressure in 2015 bid if he is convinced and willing to clinch presidential ticket in 2015 even as he expressed worry for the utterances of the opposition political parties in the country.

                     

 Bishop Ikeakor stated this at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Ekwulumili in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State while reading the presidential address to mark the third session of the second synod of the diocese which has the theme: “Who is on the Lord’s side”.

He however charged Ndigbo to be vigilante over new spate of terrorism in the country in the especially in the South East, adding that “Boko Haram sponsors and executors have modified their operational strategy by disguising and masquerading as Fulani herdsmen to unleash terror and mayhem on helpless Nigerians.

“If nothing tangible is done to stop this trend, we may soon experience what is happening in Kogi and Benue state. Let our traditional rulers refuse to allocate lands for settlement to these people and let the Federal Government through the National Assembly enact a law which confines these herdsmen to their locality and embrace modern technique of annual husbanding and grazing…” he said.

On the utterances of the opposition parties in Nigeria, Bishop Ikeakor maintained that “opposition in politics do not mean unreasonableness, desperation and senseless antagonism. All these insecurity problems are not far-fetched from the desperation of the Northern Muslim Oligarchy and let me task President Jonathan to be courageous enough not to chicken out if he is willing to contest the 2015 Presidential election…”

The cleric lauded President Jonathan for his open-hardheartedness for convening the National Conference but urged government not to handle the outcome of the conference like the recommendation of the Justice Oputa panel and others.

The bishop lavishly poured encomium to the Former Anambra Governor, Mr. Peter Obi for partnering with the church in achieving his feats as governor and urged his successor, Chief Willie Obiano to toe his path in partnering with the church arguing that “what the church builds with the one million naira, no political sycophant can build it with fifty million naira.

Bishop Ikeakor however used the opportunity of the synod to x-ray the achievement of the diocese in the last one year which according to him include welfare scheme and packages to the diocesan priests and citizens especially the widow and less privildged, the diocesan integrated farm that now has over 10, 000 birds with feed manufacturing factory erected in the farm premises, the diocesan hospitality at Amichi with an ultra-sound machine and a sound 2007 Siena model among others.

While highlighting on the theme, “Who is on the Lord’s Side”  Ikeakor charged politicians to change the attitude of adultery, oath taking, thuggery, killing and many among others anti social vices in the society, saying that “what we have in Nigeria is politicians church goers and not Christian politicians and that is why immorality in the society is growing day by day”.

The Anambra state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano represented by the Deputy Speaker, Anambra state House of Assembly, Hon Chukwudi Orizu commended Bishop Ikeakor for his achievement in the diocese especially in the area of agriculture and urged all Christians to pray for Nigeria in distress.
While the Former Anambra Governor, Mr. Peter Obi who incidentally became the cynosure of all eyes in the church pledged to support the diocese in the agricultural transformation.

Highpoint of the synod include issuance of N1million welfare scheme cheque to 3 clergy, Ven. Oliver Chigbo, Ven Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka and Ven. David Nnonyelum for completion of their personal houses and promotion of three priests to cannons.

Rev. Patrick Onwuzurike, Rev. Marcel Ezegwu and Rev. Fidelis Ogene were promoted to Canons respectively while Canon Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka and Canon Oliver Chigbo were promoted to Arch Deacons respectively by Bishop Ikeakor.

Ven. Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka expressed gratitude to the bishop and diocese and pledged to continue to be loyal, creative, productive and obedience in the diocese, noting that “ I have no regret working with my Lord Bishop and I don’t know how to appreciate him for the honour”.

The synod was attended by over eight bishops from Anambra, Enugu and Imo States including politicians and industrialists.