Bishop Okoye laments increasing menace of herdsmen ----appeals to FG to take decisive actions

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Anglican Bishop of Ihiala diocese, Anambra state, Right Reverend Prof Israel ‘Kelue Okoye, weekend wept over the non-challant attitude of the Federal Government in arresting the menace of the herdsmen across the country. He therefore appealed to the Federal government to take decisive actions against the rampaging herdsmen in the interest of Nigerian farmers.

Prof Okoye lamented that the failure of the Federal Government to timely stop the invasion of farmland by herdsmen tends to have encouraged some of the herdsmen to employ various instruments of violence to intimidate farmers.

He said: ‘’because the herdsmen are not often arrested and  treated for their lawlessness, they moved a step further by acquiring guns which they employ in terrorizing not only farmers , but the families living in the vicinities they invade, purportedly in search of grazing fields.

Speaking at the side-line of his Presidential Charge/address with newsmen after First session of the Third Synod of Ihiala diocese at the Cathedral Church of St. Silas, Ihiala, Bishop Okoye decried that that the herdsmen have killed many people and destroyed family houses worth billions of naira.

‘’Any nation that pampers evil supervises its own liquidation. Furthermore, any nation that would not deal decisively against the invasion and destruction of its farmlands an products , and the sanctity of the life of its citizens has programmed itself for annihilation.

‘’While the band of militants deceitfully parade themselves as herdsmen are allowed to unleash havoc on people , there is no better time to act than now , and let this menace be curbed.

‘’Responsible herdsmen should be encouraged to establish ranches for their cattle. Any business that is transacted in violation of other people’s business rights is an economic virus. I doubt if Nigeria can afford it’’.

He referred to the 2017 Synod theme  ‘’Whom shall I send, and who will go for us’ (Isaiah 6:8), as apt even as he thanked his wife Dr Mrs Faith Ogechukwu Okoye , President of Mothers’ union , Women Guild and Girls Guild, diocese of Ihiala, immediate past Bishop and wife, Right Reverend Ralph Okafor and Engr Mrs Chinyere Okafor , the Diocesan Chancellor, Barr Chidi Ilogu, SAN, the Registrar , Barr Edmund Obiagwu , other Bishops of diocese on the Niger Owen Nwokolo and Ogbaru , Ezeoffor among others for their support since consecrated and enthroned.

Bishop Okoye,  a distinguished Professor of Political Science with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and former General Secretary of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion had presented 111 pages charge to the public with special thanks to Archbishop , Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria , the Most Reverend Nicholas Dikeriehi Okoh inestimable care and exposure and robust mentorship and wife Mrs Nkasiobi Okoh , a model Christian mother; Right Reverend Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim , PhD and Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim for a memorable consecration as well as Most Reverend M.S.C Anikwenwa and wife, Nnediogo for nurturing them to mention but a few.

Frowning at the injustices the state has suffered sequel to Denominationalism. The Ihiala Anglican Bishop said: ‘’An overwhelming number of the people of Anambra state claim to be Christians. In practice, they belong to different Christian denominations.

‘’The Profession of faith in Jesus Christ demands that one would prove himself or herself a worthy disciple of Jesus Christ. The claim to be a Christian does not make one a Christian. Such a claim may in  fact be an expression of one’s wish.

‘’……the best way to showcase one’s Christian denomination is to conduct oneself in such a way that others will see the light of Jesus Christ radiating through the person. This is biblical posture.

‘’Unfortunately, denominationalism in Anmabra state has been turned into a divisive force that engenders suspicion , hatred , skewed distribution of resources, marginalisation, and other vices that have no place in biblical Christianity.

‘’The situation is worsened by some religious leaders who feed their members with counsels and messages that are irritating to Christian conscience.

‘’It is incontrovertible that some highly respected individuals looked upon as Christian leaders are by inculcation in their members , divisiveness stereotyped negative image of others to their whims and caprices, proved themselves agents of destabilization and instruments for the population of hell.

‘’The politicization of Christianity and leading Church members in the direction of perdition is not the fruit of anyone whose anointing is of God. The Bible remains the final authority teaching and leading people unto salvation. We need to be mindful of the fact that ……’’we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ , so that each one may receive good or evil , according to what he has done in the body’ (2 Corinthians 5:10).