The Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor says the coming of Christianity to Igbo land has brought light and series of development.
In a message to mark the one hundred and sixty-seven years of the advent of Christianity in Igboland, Bishop Ezeofor commended the early missionaries led by Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowder of Yoruba parentage and others, including Simon Jonas from Ogbunka, now part of the Aguata Diocese, who served as interpreter to the early missionaries, for doing a good job in bringing the Gospel to Igbo land.
According to Bishop Ezeofor whose message was signed by the Director of Media and communications in Aguata Diocese, Mr Abuchi Nwozor, with the coming of Christianity, many obnoxious traditional practices including killing of twins, slave trade, among others were abolished and called on Christians to always work towards sustaining the good work of the early missionaries.
Right Reverend Ezeofor who is also the National chairman of the Evangelical fellowship in the Anglican communion, EFAC Nigeria, disclosed that without the doggedness of the early missionaries there will be no access to quality education and health which the people are enjoying today saying that foremost Nationalities in Nigeria like the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe who was the first indigenous Governor General of Nigeria, Herbert Macauley, Alvan Ikoku, Akwaeke Nwafor Orizu, former Senate president and many leaders across board including medical Doctors were all beneficiaries of the western education brought by the early missionaries.
Right Reverend Ezeofor used the opportunity of the one hundred and sixty-seven years of the advent of Christianity in Igbo land to advise leaders at different levels to emulate the sacrifices of the missionaries in their service to God and humanity.
He regretted the sufferings people are passing through in a country that is richly blessed and called on the government to map out far reaching measures that will improve the living standards of the people.
Right Reverend Ezeofor urged Christians not to be deterred by the series of challenges facing them, but to anchor their faith and trust in God, who he said has solutions to all human problems.
Bishop Ezeofor, while wishing the Anglican faithful a remarkable CMS anniversary, charged Christians to desist from acts capable of debasing Christianity.
Recall that Christianity came to Igbo land on July 27, 1857, when the early missionaries landed at Christ Anglican Church Onitsha.
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