At the Thanksgiving Service at the 1st Session of the fifth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Aba Ngwa North, held at All Saints’ Cathedral Abayi Umuocham, the governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who was a special guest stated that all projects started by the government will be completed before the end of his tenure.
The governor revealed that. for the first time in the history of Aba, drainage has been constructed from Asa-Nnentu to Number One Portharcourt Road, disclosing that the main road construction would soon commence and would be completed by his administration.
The Governor stated that the theme “Be of the Church, not in the Church” is apt and enjoined Christians to be committed to the church.
As stated by the Governor’s chief press secretary Mr Onyebuchi Ememanka..
Governor Ikpeazu demanded the church to select two of her members who would participate in the graduate and undergraduate scholarship program of the State to Australia, informing that the first batch of the beneficiaries would leave for Australia by January next year. He equally assured that the scholarship program would last throughout his second tenure and congratulated the church on the success of the Synod.
Also speaking, the Senator representing Abia Central, Chief T. A Orji represented Hon. Ginger Onwusibe thanked the church and called for sustained prayers of the church towards the government. He told Abia people to be patient with the Abia Governor, who he said would make Abia people smile when he will have brought all his dreams of development to reality in the State.
Speaking in the same vein, the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ossy Prestige thanked the church for inviting him though he is neither from Osisioma Ngwa nor an Anglican, stating that once elected, a person ceases to be partisan but works for the benefit of the people.
In his address, the Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Aba Ngwa North, Rt. Rev. Nathan Kanu said the Synod calls on the church people all over the world to desire to conform to the image of Christ, move from being just nominal members and denominations of the church to becoming the embodiment of the character of Christ who is the Lord of the church.
He called on political leaders to work together for the betterment of Abia State irrespective of their party differences and prayed God to grant grace to the Governor and other government leaders to lead well.
The Bishop thanked the Governor for appointing their members to positions of authority including Commissioners designate, Barr. Ekele Nwaohamuo and Mrs Ukachi Amala as well as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Barrister Onyebuchi Ememanka, his Personal Assistant, Mr Chimaeze Nwafor, etc.
In his sermon, Venerable Ernest Onuoha from the Diocese of Abuja said the church today is in danger because some members are not genuine as they belong to secret societies, hate one another and live all sorts of immoral lives.
He took his text from John 17:14-16 and said that people of God are expected to change all the negative influences that affect the church of God and called for self examination and living in an acceptable way of God, stressing the need for all to repent and be of the church and not just in the church, describing the church as the agent of transformation which makes conforms
The servant of God condemned the unwarranted campaigns of calumny taking place in church and even in various levels of government leaders and urged people to stop unnecessary criticism against political leaders.
The Synod took time to pray for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the government of Abia State, Nigeria and the church.
