The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Amichi, Right Reverend Ephraim Ikeakor has called on the federal government to take urgent and proactive measures to alleviate the hardship that Nigerians are passing through.
Bishop Ikeakor made the call while delivering his presidential charge to the first session of the sixth synod of the Diocese of Amichi.
The synod held at Immanuel Anglican Church, Ekwulumili in Nnewi South Local Government Area had in attendance over thirty-five Bishops, the clergy, synod delegates and the President of the women ministry of the diocese, Dame Nkem Ikeakor.
Correspondent Njideka Okoye reports that in his charge, Bishop Ikeakor who noted that Nigeria is one of the countries in the world that God blessed with so much human and material resources, regretted that the greatest problem of the country is leadership and that after sixty-four years as an independent nation, Nigeria cannot have functional refineries, steady power supply with over three hundred percent hike in electricity tariff and explained that the hardship and strangulating pains of the removal of fuel subsidy without institutional cushioning plan has become unbearable to Nigerians.
He maintained that what Nigerians need urgently is poverty and hunger eradication; eradication of insecurity, banditry and terrorism; affordable and accessible health care; functional, purpose-driven and well-equipped education system among others.
On Anambra state, Bishop Ikeakor commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the various road projects he has embarked upon, including the Ekwulobia Flyover project which he said would be a great game changer in the movement of vehicles, people and goods and other development projects across the state and urged the Governor to raise the bar of security in places like Ukpo-Ukwulu axis, Uga-Amesi-Umuchu-Umunze road and the Awka Capital City.
Speaking on the theme of the synod, “Idolatry: Causes, Consequences and Cure” Bishop Ikeakor noted that the choice of the theme is borne out of the undeniable upsurge in paganism, idolatry and ritualism in the society in general and among church members in particular.
The Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim commended Bishop Ikeakor for his achievements in the diocese and stressed the need for the church to give more attention to winning souls for Christ.
On his part, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger West, Right Reverend Johnson Ekwe noted that the theme of the synod is apt, considering the rate idolatry is spreading especially among youths, urging people to go back to God in genuine repentance.
Others who spoke at the synod were the President of the Council of Laity of the diocese Hon. Kingsley Iruba and the President of the Council of Knights Anglican Diocese of Awka, Sir Emma Ezenwaji who said that the theme is more relevant now that people are relaxing back to idolatry.
Highlights of the event were the handover of the key for a five-bedroom bungalow built by the diocese and a generator by Dame Nkem Ikeakor to one of the priests of the diocese, Reverend Peter Ezejiaku. who was amputated in the course of his service, presentation of one million naira each to five priests of the diocese by Bishop Ikeakor for housing scheme support among others.
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