By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Aguata, His Lordship, The Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor has called on Nigerian leaders and the citizens to be faithful in their stewardship to God and humanity, as God sees and rewards every person accordingly.
Bishop Ezeofor made the call while speaking at the just-concluded 2023 Aguata Diocesan Women Conference, which held at the St. Matthew’s Parish, Eziagu, in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, with the theme “Divine Principles of Transformational Stewardship”.
The Bishop who also spoke at the thanksgiving service to mark the end of the Conference, said every steward had a purpose for which they were called, and should always bear that at the back of their minds, while also working in faithfulness to the person who called them. He regretted that Nigeria, despite being a richly-blessed country, lacks of faithful stewards who are committed in serving with the fear of God. This, he said, was one of the banes of transformation and development in the country.
While thanking God for the success of the Conference, the Anglican prelate also hailed the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo for his transformational works in different sectors of the State, while also urging him to sustain the good work.
On her own part, the wife of the Bishop and President of Women’s Ministry in Aguata Diocese, Mrs. Chinyere Ezeofor, while presenting her Address, harped on the need for government to urgently ameliorate the sufferings and hardship facing Nigerians today, which, she said, would be achieved when the leaders lead in faithfulness and in the fear of God.
Mrs. Ezeofor, who canvassed for equitable distribution of resources in the country, also bemoaned the flaws in the country electoral system, while calling for a total overhauling in all sectors of the country, to pave way for the desired transformation.
While appreciating the women and other persons who contributed in one way or the other to the success of the Conference, she also advocated for more inclusion and appointment of women in positions of authority, as they have proved to do well and serve faithfully in the few they occupy.
In their separate remarks, the Expositor of the Conference Theme, Evangelist Nnamdi Eze; wife of the emeritus Archbishop of Province of the Niger, and Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Mrs. Eugenia Okpala; and wife of former Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs. Ifeoma Ekwueme tasked leaders on humility and accountability, and also urged them to follow and learn from the lifestyle of Christ, who Himself, was a true and exemplary leader.
The service, which was facilitated by the Archdeacon of Ezira Archdeaconry, Ven. Kamtoochukwu Obi; and the Vicar of St. Matthew’s Parish, Eziagu, Rev. Ebenezer Okpalotubelu; was attended by the Traditional Ruler of Eziagu, Igwe Benard Emejuo; the President-General of the Community, Chief Chukwuma Obi; and the PG of Ezira, Chief Moses Akam.
The President of Aguata Diocesan Ladies Auxiliary, Lady Gloria Ezezika; and the Chairlady, Central Planning Committee, Lady Ngozi Ike, who also extolled the success of the Conference, further urged their fellow women and the delegates to put every knowledge they garnered at the Conference into practice and also transfer same to their members in their various churches and organisations.
