By Alphonsus Nweze
The Bishop on the Niger Rt Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo, has decried high level of insecurity, hunger, unemployment and untold hardship in Nigeria.
Bishop Nwokolo disclosed this during his presidential address delivered at the 32nd Synod of Diocese on the Niger held at St John Anglican Church, Fegge, Onitsha, Onitsha South Local Government of Anambra State.
He lamented that Nigerians have continued to suffer untold hardship years back, saying, “These few past years, insecurity, hardship, unemployment, hunger and sickness have affected the psyche of most Nigerians that some may have unfortunately lost hope both in themselves and any other thing.”
The diocesan said: “from all indications the country can be presumed as one emerging from war with millions of bleeding citizens and devastated land scape, devastated economy, devastated educational system and with total disorganized socio political system.”
He called on the Federal Government to consciously restore, without further delay, the confidence of Nigerians in the leadership of the country and rebuild the entire country without political, religious or tribal sentiments, even as he emphasized the need for Christians to cultivate the spirit of feeding the lamb and being one’s brother’s keeper.
Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of Bishop’s nominee for 2023 synod, Pharm. (Sir) Chris Ukachukwu described the presidential address delivered by Bishop Nwokolo as a overwhelming, saying that it depicts his high level of commitment towards uplifting the Niger diocese.
“If you go through the Bishop’s charge, you will see the commitments and deligence of the bishop towards uplifting the diocese in so many areas including spirituality, infrastructural development and human resources. The way he has managed the diocese and simultaneously developed all the sectors and was able to achieve them is amazing.”
Sir Ukachukwu continue: “His latest achievements is the approval of University on the Niger by Federal Executive Council. Due to his adequate preparation and the standard facilities he put in place, they were prompted to approve the University instantly.”
Sir Ukachukwu who is the president of the Diocesan Laity Council described Bishop Nwokolo as a man of vision, lauding him also for laying emphasizes on the insecurity in his address in the country which he said had been a great challenge to the country’s development.
In a similar vein, the president of Men’s Christian Fellowship (MCF) of the Diocese, the Rt Hon. Emeka Anyaenetu (KSC) said the presidential address delivered by Bishop Nwokolo was far reaching and touched all aspects of human lives in the society.
He mentioned security of lives and property as well as education which according to him drives security in the society.
He said: “Although, insecurity seems to have subsided for some time now. Government should budget more on education so that schools should be affordable and people can go to school and get employment. When people are educated and employed, insecurity will reduce because a hungry Man is an angry Man.”
He finally described synod as educative session and gathering together of people of God to learn what they don’t know.
