The Archbishop, Province of the Niger, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim has asked Nigerians not to lose hope in God’s power to intervene in the precarious social and economic situations of the country.

 

Most Reverend Ibezim stated this at the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka during the Advent ordination of priests of Awka Anglican Diocese.

During the ordination service which had the themed “Bearing the marks of our Lord Jesus Christ, the new priests take oaths of canonical obedience, submission, allegiance to God , submission to the synod and oath against homosexuality and bisexuality which was administered on them by the Chancellor of the diocese, Justice OJ Okeke.

Most Reverend Ibezim who is also the Bishop, Diocese of Awka while examining the new priests, told them to proclaim the word of Jesus Christ and to fashion their lives in accordance with its precepts as well as to love and serve the people among whom they work for, and said that they have to live a life of prayer and seeking God’s grace at all times.

Archbishop Ibezim was optimistic that God will show mercy to Nigerians and intervene in the level of hardship witnessed in the country and advised citizens to always remember the country in their prayers.

 

Dwelling on the theme of the ordination during his sermon, the Retreatant and Preacher, Right Reverend Chijioke Oti who is the Bishop, Diocese on The Lake, asked the new priests and their wives to always bear the marks of persistence, humility, commitment and dedication to things of Christ.

The new priests are Reverends Echezona Okanime, Aguegbo Edozieuno and Maduabuchi Alagbu.

 

Others includes Chukwudire Ezeiruka, Uchenna Ezeonyi, Arinzechukwu Ikegbo, Chinonso Muogbo and Augustine Owolu.

 

Among those that attended the Advent Ordination were, the President Women’s Ministry Province of the Niger and Diocese of Awka, Mrs. Martha Ibezim, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka, Knights and Ladies of the church.

Special thanksgiving, prayer sessions and renditions by the choir were the highlights of the ordination service.