By CHUKS EKE
The Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev’d Owen Nwokolo has charged men of the Anglican Communion to always walk in the spirit and show more dedication to evangelism by devoting their time and material resources towards the support of church projects.
He also charged Christians to raise God-fearing children as a panacea to curb societal ills that is currently plaguing the Nigerian nation in particular and the entire society at large.
Bishop Nwokolo who gave the charge in his sermon during at the opening ceremony of a two-day annual conference of of the Anglican Diocese on the Niger Men’s Christian Fellowship, DON-MCF held at St Philip Anglican Church, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state, stated that based on the Synod theme “Walk in the Spirit” they should be evangelistic in their approach to religious programmes.
According to the Bishop, “Men should be up and doing in carrying the gospel from here to the farthest part of the world including where the Diocese on the Niger has missions like in Bokinafaso, Togo etc, adding, Men’s fellowship should take a cue from the Women’s fellowship learning from their passion for the work of God and their organized way they contribute in the ongoing developmental projects in the diocese”.
In his speech, the MCF Diocesan President, Rt. Hon. Emeka Anyaenetu, a one-time Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, “the essence of the conference is for men to stand firm. We need to walk in the Spirit and develop ourselves spiritually in order to take charge of our homes and build homes devoid of deviants, cultists, drug addicts, etc.
“Although, women look after the children, Most men lag behind spiritually. Our spirit needs revival just as Paul said that what defiles a man comes from within”,said Anyaenetu.
Also speaking, the Diocesan MCF Chaplain and Archdeacon Onitsha Archdeaconry, Venerable Obi Ubaka said that men should allow the Holy Spirit to inspire them to live a spirit led life, be responsible fathers who help in shaping their society.
“The family is the nucleus of every society. Corruption and various societal ills are perpetrated from people who came from families. So Christian men should sit up and start curbing this soieital menace beginning with their family members”, said Obi Ubaka.
In their separate speeches, the trio of MCF Secretary, Comrade Ozioma Ekezie, Chief Angus Umeh and Chigozie Ezeanochie, described the conference as very apt and enriching both spiritually and healthwise saying that they benefited immensely from a health seminar delivered by Dr. Carl Nwudo-Odenigbo at the conference.
“Dr.Nwudo-Odenigbo taught us on the need to eat more fruits, vegetables and Vitamin C other than processed and sugary foods. He taught us to avoid sleeping on the left side, use orthorpaedic mattresses or its equivalent to minimize curving our frame and avoid back pain and so on”, they stated.
