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| Most Reverend Nicolas Okoh |
As the tempo of campaigns for next month’s general election
increases, the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria,
Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicolas Okoh, has called on
politicians to refrain from overheating the polity.
The clergyman charged politicians to be mindful of their utterances
and to conduct themselves in a manner that would promote peace and the
rule of law, during and after the general elections.
The Anglican Primate, who spoke at the Cathedral Church of Andrews
Amichi in Nnewi South Local Government of Anambra State during a two day
working visit in the diocese for the 10 years anniversary celebration
of its creation and Bishop Ephraim Ikeakor’s 10th year episcopacy,
tasked politicians on peaceful elections.
Okoh, who expressed serious worry over what he described as “very
high tension” in the country, warned that such tension was a threat to
Nigeria’s unity.
“The Nigerian state is bigger than any individual. So, all of us have
a duty to ensure that Nigeria is not harmed in the course of
electioneering campaign, during the election and after the election,”
Rev. Okoh said.
“These three stages are very critical. We should work hard to ensure
that peace reigns. If you win, be considerate in your victory, and if
you lose, don’t kill anybody because of that.”
On Amichi Diocese, Okoh congratulated Bishop Ikeakor for his 10 years
Episcopal anniversary and commended him for dedication of projects he
built in the last 10 years, noting that the diocese was replicating the
tripod evangelism of the early missionaries, hinged on education,
medical services and the church.
He said, “Let Amichi diocese continue with what
they are doing because they are building along the tripod that the
missionaries brought to us. That is education, medical services and the
church. It is not enough to go to church; you must serve the people and
make sure that when they come to church, they have opportunity to get
their problems solved, not only through prayers but through medical and
agriculture because the diocese is also involved in agricultural
development.”
Some of the projects dedicated by Primate Okoh include: College of
Nursing Sciences, Masters Vessel Seminary, Sure Anchor Micro Finance
Bank, Diocesan Integrated Farm, Admin secretariat among other
facilities.
During the occasion, Bishop Ikeakor honoured some individuals and
families that contributed for the progress of the diocese including,
Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, Chief SN Ukachukwu, Sir Emmanuel Umeohia, Sir
Michael Agazie, Mr and Barr Mrs Chinedu Okeke, Chief Abraham Oti and
Chief Okwudili Oti.
Others were families of Ikebaba Nzewi, Dr Samson Obichi, Chief
Benjamin Atuchukwu and Prof G.E.O. Ogum all of whom bagged the
Distinguished Temple Builders award.
Bishop Ikeakor, while speaking to newsmen, thanked God for giving him
the strength and wisdom to shepherd the flock in the past 10 years,
noting that the diocese introduced some programmes like the prayer
breakfast, wailing women prayer summit for the women, the first born
search, kneeling in his presence for the women, covenant Sunday, night
of evidence to arm the congregants on spiritual matters.
He also expressed happiness that he was able to accomplish the
mission and vision statement of the diocese as enshrined in the maiden
Synod of the diocese held at Osumenyi which, according to him, included
preaching the gospel holistically and propagating the evangelism in four
dimensions as quality education, robust healthcare provision,
agriculture, and pragmatic social welfare and services.
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