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| president tinubu |
Residents of Owerri, capital of Imo State, woke up last weekend to find the streets flooded with the picture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group responsible for the action was not immediately known.
However, speculations were that their action had to do with the forthcoming general elections in 2027.
Our correspondent observed that the pictures which were displayed on the streetlight poles were blurred and of poor quality.
The posters had no campaign promises but contained some slogans such as ‘Join the PBAT’ “Door to Door Movement today”, and “Your Voice matters”.
Speaking to Christian Voice, Chief H.C.A Ahamefula, an Owerri-based businessman … the development to the Youths Earnestly Ask for Abacha (YEAA) activities during the late Gen Sani Abacha years.
He urged Ndigbo not to be associated with such acts that are likely to backfire politically.
A retired top civil servant, Mr. Peter Okwara dismissed the group sponsoring such moves as “a bunch of jobless charlatans who are willing to be used”.
He wondered how anyone could wish the conditions in the past two years to continue.
Commenting, a Labour Party Chieftain, in Owerri Senatorial Zone, Chief Michael Ndu, said that the people of Nigeria would soon speak in one voice
2025 Synod: On the Lake Knights reiterates commitment
By Chukwudi Ikpe
The council of Knights, Diocese On the Lake has reiterated its unflinching commitment towards the growth and development of the Diocese.
Speaking at the just concluded 3rd Session of the Sixth Synod of the Diocese held at St. Marks Anglican Church Ejemekwuru in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, the President of the council, Arc. Sir Zack Ijeoma noted that the Council is aware of its responsibilities and will continue to remain dedicated.
The president, who spoke on behalf of the Council members, assured that the Council, among other things will ensure that the Bishop’s court is completely renovated.
He commended the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Chijioke Oti, PhD, JP and his wife, Mrs. Ijeoma Oti, JP on the successful hosting of the 2025 Synod.
Sir Ijeoma praised the Bishop on the choice of the Synod theme, “The Sufficiency of God’s Grace and the Manifestation of His Strength in Our Weakness” (2cor. 12:7-10).
According to him, despite facing several challenges, the theme “has revealed to us that the grace of God abides with us always. We now know what it means to depend totally on God”.
He expressed gratitude to all those graced the Synod, especially the Bishops and Presidents of other Councils of Knights in the Province.
Members of the Council of Knights, including the secretary, sir ……………………………. and other officers, attended the Synod in their numbers and also supported the Bishop’s address handsomely.
Fight a good fight of faith; rescue the nation from impending doom
Ø Ikeduru Knights told
By
Nick Chibunna
A call has gone to knights and ladies of St. Christopher in the Anglican Diocese of Ikeduru to wage war against principalities, and powers that threaten the future of the Church and the nation.
Sir Emmanuel Ukonu, President of the Council, and Lady Ann Onwuegbu, Ladies Co-coordinator, made this call penultimate weekend, in their meeting, otherwise known as the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Council held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Iho Dimeze, in the Ikeduru Council Area of Imo State.
The event which attracted dignitaries from far and near saw the two high-profile officers highlighting on the programmes and activities of the noble Order.
In his address, Sir Ukonu reeled off numerous programmes, activities and engagements of the Council in restrospect and called for collaboration among all.
On the theme of the annual gathering –“God’s Fellow Workers” (1Cor.3:9), the President emphasized on the need for Knights and Ladies to always rededicate themselves for the work of the Master who called them out of darkness into his glorious light.
As worthy Soldiers of the Cross he said, Knights and Ladies were supposed to wage war against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and all spiritual wickedness, both in high and low places that are presently threatening the future of the Church and the society at large.
Still expanding on the theme, Sir Ukonu enjoined the Council members to put on the whole armour of god.
This he said could be accomplished through; courage in the face of spiritual adversity, Loyalty to God’s kingdom and its mission, diligence in cultivating spiritual growth and fruit fortunes, wisdom in navigating the challenges in the battle field and many others.
On the state of the nation, “Okwuru Oha 1” as fondly called by his other Councils’ Presidents, he lamented the present excrutriating poverty, hunger and hardship in the land, warning that if something is not done and quickly too, the nation might slides into anomie.
His address was complimented by that of the Ladies Coordinator, Lady Ann Onwuegbu who also called for prayers, discipleship, building Churches and funding various projects in the Diocese.
The duo called on all to press forward in the Service to God and humanity, and at the time pleaded with the indolent members of the Order to sit up, because their attitude they said, is a clog in the wheel of the progress of the Council.
Apart from highlighting the programmes and activities of the Council in restrospect, the highpoint of the annual gathering including the cutting of the chapter cake and presentation of distinguished Awards to deserving personalities. They included; Ven. Dr. I.I. Ihentuge, first chaplain to the Council and Prof. Dame Meg Ewuzie.
Police move to secure Imo schools
By Chukwudi Ikpe
In a bid to improve the security of schools in Imo State, the Nigerian Police has ended a 2-day stakeholders’ forum with the theme “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education”.
The programme, which took place at Rock view Hotel, Owerri, the Imo State Capital, also featured the training of the Schools Protection Squad (SPS) of the Nigerian Police, Imo State Command.
The Inspector—General of Police, IGP Kayode Egberokun, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector—General of Police, Zone 9 Headquarters, umuahia, AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu, flagged off the programme, while the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator and Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Aboyomi Shogunle, explained that the initiative is to ensure that there is adequate security in Nigerian learning environment including Pre—Primary, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions.
According to him, the Police is leveraging on existing structures such as police stations, police patrol teams, police check points, etc as well as the collaboration of host communities to ensure the success of the initiative.
“Today’s event, Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities, aligns with the national plan on financing safe schools in Nigeria. The plan has a national investment response aimed at protecting schools, learners, teachers and non—teaching staff from attacks in all parts of Nigeria, and was designed to achieve measurable outcomes such as reducing the numbers of out of school children and improving Nigeria’s rating in the human capital index in the long run.
The policy also provides guidelines and a framework for ensuring safe and secured learning environments in schools nationwide. The objectives include
i. To strengthen security resilience and integrate host communities into the security architecture in the protection of education.
ii. To enhance the capacity of the school communities to protect education.
iii. To create an effective and efficient national school security and emergency response infrastructure.
iv. To enhance the capacity of security agencies to gather intelligence, prevent and respond to attacks on educational Institutions.
v. To provide assistance to survivors of attacks on educational Institutions.
The implementation of the plan is in phases with Imo State being one of the pilot states.
The right to education is central to social and economic progress, and investment in human capital development. These policies, programmes and activities are in line with the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the mandate of the Nigeria Police Force to protect lives and property, which IGP kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, is vigorously pursuing”, he stated.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator on Financing State Schools, Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, Hajiya Halima Iliya emphasized the need for stakeholders to join hands to ensure effectiveness of the initiative.
She expressed the determination of the Federal Government to ensure that the nation’s educational environment is completely safe for both teachers and learners, adding that all the relevant government agencies are collaborating to secure the future of the younger generation by providing conducive and safe teaching and learning environment.
The Imo State Governor, who was represented by the SSG, Chief Cosmos Iwu, commended President Bola Tinubu, stressing that the Federal Government, through this initiative is aiming to be proactive and preventive.
He expressed optimism that with several modern technological innovations, the Nigerian Police will actualize the target of the lofty initiative.
The programme also featured plenary session, where views and opinions were exchanged by stakeholders.
Chaos as bus drivers protest in Owerri
By Benita Dickson
Commuters to Owerri, Imo State, went through hell on the Orlu Road end of the town, on Wednesday morning, following a protest embarked upon by bus drivers plying the route.
Christian Voice learnt that the drivers were angry over what they termed excessive taxes and levies they pay to some government agencies such as the Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRANCO) and others that were not immediately identified.
Our reporter observed that traffic on the route became chaotic as frustrated commuters struggle for few vehicles that were available.
Members of the drivers union, at a stage forced all buses off the road, leading to frustration for the numerous commuters at the various bus stops.
Speaking to Christian Voice, one of the bus drivers, Mr. Chukwuma Andrew, called for reform of the agencies collecting the taxes while also specifying their roles and scope of duties.
He lamented that the bus operators suffer untold damage to their vehicles as they engage in a cat and mouse brawl, daily with men claiming to be working for ENTRANCO.
“ENTRANCO is unbearable. They damage our vehicles, break our windows and windshields, deflate our tyres and sometimes physically assault us while they are on duty”, he said.
He observed that the directives issued to the drivers to remove tinted glasses as a way to fight crime was a step in the right direction.
Andrew, however, noted that those enforcing the law have only embarked on massive exploitation of the drivers.
He said that
changing the glasses now cost as much as N54,000 and
pleaded that the government should extend the deadline for them in view of the
current hardship in the country.
“The issue
of taskforces said to be collecting taxes and levies in Owerri metropolis has
been a source of concern which has lingered”, observed by one of the commuters.
He called
on the government to train the staff of the agencies enforcing their directives
in the method of approach and tactics to avoid incessant rancor with the
drivers.
Efforts to
reach the ENTRANCO top officials proved abortive.
It was not
immediately known whether buses on other routes would join the protest.
Ikenegbu Archdeaconry marks 5th
anniversary
By Chukwudi Ikpe
It was jubilation and celebration galore at St. Peter’s
Anglican Church Ikenegbu last Sunday as Ikenegbu Archdeaconry celebrated its 5
years anniversary.
The weeklong celebration, which was held under the theme
“EBENEZER”, was rounded off with a Eucharistic thanksgiving service presided
over by the Archdeacon, Ven. Barr. Festus Opara, Ph.D.
Delivering his sermon, during the anniversary service, the
guest preacher, Ven. Onyinyeoma Onyeagocha, PhD, congratulated Ikenegbu
Archdeaconry on their laudable achievements within the five years, urging them
to maintain the tempo.
Onyeagocha, who is the Sub Dean of the Cathedral of
Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL), Owerri, commended the Archdeacon of
Ikenegbu Archdeaconry, Ven. Barr. Festus Opara, for his doggedness, stressing
that he has performed so well.
The Old Testament lesson and the Epistle were read by Sir
Chuks Azuonwu and Engr. Mrs. Juliet Opara respectively while Rev. Moses Mbagwu
read the gospel.
The glorious service also featured special thanksgiving in
parishes, cutting of anniversary cake as well as presentation of awards and
recognitions.
The award recipients include Sir Chuks Azuonwu, Pharm. Dr. Ezeudo
Nwaozuzu (KSC), Mr. Chima Onyedineke among others.
Speaking with Christian Voice shortly after the service, the
Archdeacon, Ven. Dr. Festus Opara expressed gratitude to God for His grace and
thanked the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Chukwuma Oparah, PhD, JP for his dynamic
leadership and fatherly support, which have been very instrumental to the
growth of the Archdeaconry.
Ven. Opara, who is also the Canon Theologian, Anglican
Diocese of Owerri, noted that Ikenegbu Archdeaconry has witnessed phenomenal
growth within five years of existence as several Chapels and Stations have been
planted in line with the Bishop’s Kingdom expansion mission.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Anniversary planning
Committee, Rev. Canon Ikenna Achuko, expressed excitement over the success of
the event, adding that it was a rare privilege to serve in such a capacity.
According to him, Ikenegbu Archdeaconry is worth celebrating
at five, haven grown numerically, spiritually and otherwise.
Also speaking, a prominent member of the Archdeaconry and an
anniversary award recipient, Pharm. Dr. Ezeudo Nwaozuzu (KSC), noted that it
has been an eventful week of celebration for the Archdeaconry, stressing that
God has done a lot for them collectively and individually.
On the ‘Mission Partner’ award he received, he described it
as a call for greater service.
Dr. Nwaozuzu, who is the Head of Department of Pharmacy,
Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri, enjoyed Christians, especially the
congregation of Ikenegbu Archdeaconry to remain committed to the service of
God, adding that God never fails.
The celebration also featured English Essay, Bible Quiz and
Football Competitions among the parishes.
With three parishes namely: Ikenegbu, Bishop Cockin and Bread
of Life and six stations, Ikenegbu Archdeaconry was formally inaugurated on
July 31, 2022 by Bishop Oparah, two years after it was carved out of Aladimma
Archdeaconry as an Area, with Ven. Barr. Festus Opara as the pioneer Archdeacon.
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