HammerTimes News Online

Tag: #Bishop

  • Clergyman tasks Nigerian leaders on alleviation of economic hardship

     

     

    By NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

    Bishop Daniel Egboka, the Assistant General Overseer, National Evangelical Mission (NEM), has appealed to Nigerian leaders to do everything possible  to alleviate the current economic hardship facing their citizens.

    Egboka gave the advice on Friday night at the celebration of his 50th Anniversary of Commitment and Dedication Behind the Pulpit and Public presentation of a Book titled 50 years in God’s Service” in Abuja.

    The cleric urged government at all levels to come up with economic policies that would alleviate peoples’ sufferings.

    “Leadership is what everybody aspires for, but before you become a good leader, you must be a servant in serving people, because leadership is all about service to God and people.

    “Leaders should be responsible in everything they do. They should live an exemplary life in the service of humanity for the growth and development of the country.

    “We are looking upon them to help the poor, needy and the downthrow by ensuring that they see something to glorify God for.

    “When people are crying for hunger, based on their understanding, they can decide to lift up their voice and begin to curse God.

    “But when they have something tangible to eat, their praise, worship and thanksgiving will ascend unto God of heaven, because He is the supplier of our needs.”

    The bishop called on God to touch the heart of all leaders to respond to the cry and needs of their citizens.

    He also urged his spiritual sons to depend on God’s grace in doing the work of God with humility and passionate to win souls, adding that this drove him to embark on numerous missionary journeys.

    He thanked God for His abundant grace that brought him to the current glory.

    The bishop attributed the journey to hard work with great commitment and sacrifice that brought the event of honour to such a level that made him shade tears of joy.

    “I am greatly elated and humbled to see this noble event planned and executed in such a manner that beat my imagination.

    “I so much appreciate your endeavours, I pray that celebration will be your daily experience.

    ” God in His infinite mercies will reward all of you immensely. Thank you all for such honourable event for me,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Geoffrey Okwuchukwu, described Egboka as one of the NEM pillars who contributed immensely to the growth and development of the church.

    He added that celebrating his successful 50 years of commitment and dedication to God’s work behind the pulpit worth emulating.

    “Our great challenge in our society today is the habit of people not reading book due to the influence of social media.
    ” This book is educative, informative that can transform a wise individual life that deem it fit to read it.

    “Such a book is good for ministerial and circular world if the person wants to succeed in life. I advise every person to read the book,” he said.

    Also, the book reviewer, Mr Patrick Oguejiofor, said the book was about the biography of the celebrant in his active service to God’s work for 50 years behind the pulpit.

    Oguejiofor, who was the former Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), said the book was put together to document the celebrant achievement, as well as trials, challenges and triumphs.

    ” I encourage everyone to get a copy of the book because the celebrant has lived an exemplary life. He is a humble and courageous and has mentored significant personalities in the country.

    “He always encourages people to be industrious and have faith in God, in order to achieve God’s purpose for their lives.

    “We need such leaders in our society, leaders that will mentor our youths, leaders and people to work hard to be successful in their endeavours,” he said.

    He urged upcoming minsters and spiritual sons to emulate Egboka’s
    humility, courage and God fearing spirit that made him uncommon man.

    Also speaking, Apostle Hisgrace Obasi, said “I worked under the celebrant for more than 20 years, before I was asked by God to start my ministry,” he said.

    Another mentoree, Pastor Enoch Igwe, said he had been under the celebrant for over 40 years, saying that he had no regret of knowing him.

    “I see dedication in his life and ministry. He is a man of God whom God has used for my life and destiny,” he said.(NAN)

  • Bishop decries direct involvement of traditional, religious leaders in politics

    Rev. Christian Onyia, the Bishop of Nike Anglican Diocese in Enugu State has decried the direct involvement of traditional and religious leaders in politics during the just concluded general elections.

    “It is despicable and condemnable,” he said while presenting the Bishop Charge at the 2nd Session of the 6th Synod of the Diocese holding at the Church of the Beatitudes, Trans Ekulu, Enugu, on Saturday.

    He said, “Some Church leaders turned the pulpit as a place to campaign for political parties and their preferred candidates.

    “In some other places, traditional rulers who are known supporters of the ruling party, imposed midnight curfews to perform ‘Oro’ rights, slaughtered animals and strategically placed the sacrifices at voting centers to scare voters.”

    Onyia urged the judiciary to save its image in dispensing justice in election petitions brought before it.

    According to him, politicians by their actions have portrayed the judiciary as incapable of dispensing justice, as they engage in electoral infractions and tell aggrieved persons to “go to court”.

    “I encourage the judiciary to rise up to the occasion and redeem its battered image by dispensing justice without fear or favour.

    “This will not only boost the confidence of voters and Nigerians in our judiciary and electoral process, but also increase the turn out rate in next elections,” the Bishop said.

    Onyia also advised INEC to embark on voter register audit, even as it prosecutes election offenders to serve as deterrent to others.

    The Bishop said that this was important because the 2023 elections did not wholly meet the expectations of Nigerians.

    He said that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must address issues of low voter turn out, violence, delay in delivery of election materials and transmission of results, among others, in subsequent elections.

    “To all the candidates who lost the elections or were rigged out, kindly pursue your cases through legal process.

    “Do not encourage or participate in violence or any other illegal act,” he added.

    According to him, Nigeria is destined for greatness, as such citizens should strive towards making the country great.

  • Bishop decries direct involvement of traditional, religious leaders in politics

    Rev. Christian Onyia, the Bishop of Nike Anglican Diocese in Enugu State has decried the direct involvement of traditional and religious leaders in politics during the just concluded general elections.

    “It is despicable and condemnable,” he said while presenting the Bishop Charge at the 2nd Session of the 6th Synod of the Diocese holding at the Church of the Beatitudes, Trans Ekulu, Enugu, on Saturday.

    He said, “Some Church leaders turned the pulpit as a place to campaign for political parties and their preferred candidates.

    “In some other places, traditional rulers who are known supporters of the ruling party, imposed midnight curfews to perform ‘Oro’ rights, slaughtered animals and strategically placed the sacrifices at voting centers to scare voters.”

    Onyia urged the judiciary to save its image in dispensing justice in election petitions brought before it.

    According to him, politicians by their actions have portrayed the judiciary as incapable of dispensing justice, as they engage in electoral infractions and tell aggrieved persons to “go to court”.

    “I encourage the judiciary to rise up to the occasion and redeem its battered image by dispensing justice without fear or favour.

    “This will not only boost the confidence of voters and Nigerians in our judiciary and electoral process, but also increase the turn out rate in next elections,” the Bishop said.

    Onyia also advised INEC to embark on voter register audit, even as it prosecutes election offenders to serve as deterrent to others.

    The Bishop said that this was important because the 2023 elections did not wholly meet the expectations of Nigerians.

    He said that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must address issues of low voter turn out, violence, delay in delivery of election materials and transmission of results, among others, in subsequent elections.

    “To all the candidates who lost the elections or were rigged out, kindly pursue your cases through legal process.

    “Do not encourage or participate in violence or any other illegal act,” he added.

    According to him, Nigeria is destined for greatness, as such citizens should strive towards making the country great.

  • Methodist bishop advocates free hand for INEC in 2023

    The Methodist Bishop of the Kubwa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Chikwendu Igwe, has advocated for a free hand for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting the 2023 General Elections without succumbing to pressures from political parties.

    Igwe made the call in Abuja on Sunday at the 10th Annual Diocesan Synod/Anniversary of the Kubwa Diocese.

    The theme of the programme is tagged: ”Prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ”.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the electoral bill into law as well as the effort of the INEC in putting measures in place to ensure credible electoral process.

    The bishop also called on Christians to get involved in the coming general elections to elect credible leaders who would transform the country.

    He added that this would require that every Christian must get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) which will enable them perform their constitutional rights.

    “The current situation of things in Nigeria requires that the church should be more active in the issue of governance.

    “We should not make our spiritual responsibilities an excuse for neglecting the practical and socio-political concerns.

    “The challenge of nation building requires the support of all without exception.

    “With the approaching of the election year, Christians must actively participate in the political process,” he said.

    Speaking on the policy of education in running its school, Igwe said that the church had revised the policy on education to promote quality and functional education for all.

    He said the church had also put in place various structures to enhance effective administration of Methodist schools.

    “True education prepares one not only for living but also for life. And unless the education makes you a good human being, it is of no use.

    “It is my earnest hope and prayer that the schools being established within the diocese will provide quality education.

    “The 2017 Methodist Church Nigeria Revised Policy on Education is to be the basis in the running and administration of Methodist schools within the conference area.

    ” It seeks to promote the actualisation of quality and functional education and hence draws ideas from the Federal Government’s policy.

    ” It equally seeks to promote high moral standard which is the hallmark of missionary education,” he added.

    He reiterated that all schools established within the diocese must be administered in line with the policy.

    He, however, warned that any situation of non-compliance by omission or commission in the running of any school in the diocese would not be tolerated.

    He added that the various school boards and diocesan education committee were expected to do the needful in quality control and administration. (NAN)

  • Bishop bags institute honourary fellow award, pledges better deal

    The Presiding pastor, Shekhinah Glory Ministry Worldwide, Bishop Kelvin Nwafor, was on Wednesday in Abuja, conferred with Honourary Fellow of the Institute of Corporate and Public Sector Professionals (ICPSP).

    The President of the institute, Dr Fọláṣadé Airebamen, stated that the honourary fellowship award was the highest status in the cadre of the institute.

    Represented by Halimat Adediran, Chairperson, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Bwari Chapter /honourary fellow of ICPSP, Airebamen said that the Bishop was considered for the award had impacted positively in the lives of people.

    She stated that the induction of the Bishop as an honorary fellow of ICPSP meant that he had also risen to the height of his career in his chosen field.

    “This honour means that you are of good character, which is in tandem with the mission and vision of our institute to be the best at everywhere and at everything we do as a member of ICPSP.

    “Our mission is dedicated to supporting professionals in their daily efforts, impact people’s lives and society at large, and that is the reason the Bishop has been found worthy to be inducted as a fellow.

    “As an institute, we intend to achieve, adapt and deliver quality assured content for continued professional development at all levels, and develop capacity for all our members,” she noted.

    According to her, the institute’s intention was to collaborate with local and international like-minded organisations and support its members.

    Airebamen called on the Bishop to represent the institute well wherever he found himself and also pursue membership drive with high value and content.

    Responding, the Bishop appreciated ICPSP for considering him worthy of the award and pledged to continue to impact positively on members of the public and other things that earned him the honour.

    He also promised to abide by the rules, regulations, and code guiding the institute, as well as representing the institute well and promote it wherever he goes. (NAN)